The III Doctoral Seminar is an interdisciplinary seminar for students holding "Analysing and Challenging Inequality” (ACI) Scholarships, alongside a select group of doctoral students from across the School with funding from other sources who are also working in the area of inequalities. All ACI scholarship holders are expected to attend, and applications are invited from any other enrolled MPhil or PhD students from across LSE, regardless of year of study.
The seminar is a forum for the exchange of ideas and for discussion of research questions and methods across a School-wide community of (junior and more senior) researchers interested in inequality, its causes, and consequences. It brings together people working in disciplines such as economics, political science and political economy, sociology, anthropology, law, philosophy, and psychology. The overarching aim of the programme is to increase our understanding of the mechanisms that link the economic dimensions of inequality with their social, cultural and political context. The programme is led by Professor Francisco Ferreira, Amartya Sen Chair in Inequality Studies and Director of III and Dr Luna Glucksberg, Research Fellow at III.
Seminar Structure
There will be 10 fortnightly seminars over the course of the academic year. Early in Michaelmas Term (MT) the seminars will combine informal teaching and discussion. Leading III researchers including Prof Francisco Ferreira, Prof Mike Savage, Prof Alpa Shah and Prof David Soskice will present their perspectives on different methodological approaches to the study of inequality, and interdisciplinary discussion will be strongly encouraged. The seminars provide a great opportunity to meet III researchers in person and connect with like-minded peers. All cohorts of the doctoral programme are invited to the MT seminars.
In the latter part of Michaelmas, and during Lent Term, the seminars will be based on student presentations. Pre-arranged peer discussants and guest faculty will be at hand to comment. We will begin with presentations from students in the later years of their PhD programme, and gradually offer opportunities for second and first-year students to present early work or preliminary research ideas. Being a cross-departmental seminar, these sessions should be seen as an opportunity to receive friendly and constructive feedback from a broad range of peers and established scholars.
The fortnightly seminars will take place on Thursdays at 12.00-2pm in the PhD Academy teaching room. The first session will take place on Thursday 7th of October.
How to apply
To apply, candidates are invited to write a statement of no more than one page explaining how their plans for doctoral studies link to the concerns of the III Doctoral Seminar.
Candidates will also need to obtain the support of their supervisors who need to write no more than two sentences of support.
Applications and all enquiries should be directed to Dr Luna Glucksberg at l.glucksberg@lse.ac.uk . The deadline for applications is Tuesday 5th October 2021.
Please note that becoming part of this cohort means that you continue to be based in your home Departments - it entails that in addition to all normal Departmental expectations you have the opportunity of Cross-Departmental support and engagement, but must commit to attending the Thursday lectures in the first year.
Read about current doctoral students participating in the programme here.