The III Doctoral Seminar is an interdisciplinary seminar for PhD students from across the School whose research relates to inequality in some way. Students holding "Analysing and Challenging Inequality” (ACI) PhD Studentships are expected to attend, and applications are invited from any other MPhil or PhD students enrolled in any department at 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 and Dr Xavier Jara-Tamayo, both based at the International Inequalities Institute (III).
Seminar Structure
There will be 10 fortnightly seminars over the course of the academic year: five in Michaelmas and five in Lent Term. Early in Michaelmas Term (MT) the seminars will combine informal teaching and discussion. Leading III-affiliated researchers including Prof Francisco Ferreira, Prof Mike Savage, and Prof Alpa Shah 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.
In the latter part of Michaelmas and during Lent Term, the seminars will be based on student presentations: two in each two-hour session. 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. These sessions provide students with an opportunity to receive friendly and constructive feedback from a broad range of peers and more established scholars.
The fortnightly seminars will take place on Thursdays at 12.00-2.00pm in the PhD Academy teaching room (the seminar on 24 November will take place 2-4pm).
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 relate to inequality and how they expect to benefit from attending the seminar. Candidates will also need to obtain the approval of their supervisors who need to write no more than two sentences of support.
Applications and all enquiries should be directed to Dr Xavier Jara-Tamayo at H.X.Jara-Tamayo@lse.ac.uk. The deadline for applications is 6 October 2022, and the seminar first meets on 13 October, with a lecture by Prof. Francisco Ferreira entitled “Research on inequality: perspectives from Economics”.
Students joining the seminar continue to be based in their home departments. In addition to all normal departmental expectations, they have an opportunity to present their work and hear about the research of their peers in this interdisciplinary setting. To fully benefit from the group interaction, participants are expected to commit to attending as many seminar sessions as possible.
Read about current doctoral students participating in the programme here.