The LSE Global South Unit (GSU) is a research unit at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) based in the Department of International Relations and at LSE IDEAS.
The GSU researches and organizes events related to the study of international relations, development, politics, and economics in the global South. The focus of the GSU is to promote interdisciplinary research and policy-relevant analysis of the global South's challenges. The unit brings together scholars, policymakers, civil society organizations and development practitioners to discuss critical issues affecting the global South and facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration between stakeholders.
Our research capacity is focused on investigating the role of China and the global South, particularly in Africa and Latin America. Our experts produce high-quality research for some of the foremost academic journals in the field as well as books, policy briefs and workshops designed to equip stakeholders to ‘de-centre’ the study of international relations (see our publications page).
In collaboration with LSE IDEAS and the Sustainable Development Initiative (SDI), the unit co-hosts its Working Paper Series. These publications are available through LSE Research Online, the institutional repository for the LSE. GSU welcomes research manuscripts of the standard of quality expected of submissions to academic journals or academic book chapters.
In 2025, GSU launched the LSE Global South Dialogue Series [AM1] in cooperation with LSE IDEAS. These webinars cover geopolitical issues as viewed from the Global South. The series is hosted, chaired, and moderated by Prof. Alvaro Mendez (LSE) and Prof. Gregory T. Chin (York University). It is sponsored by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness.
The unit directors are Prof. Alvaro Mendez and Prof. Chris Alden, both experts on foreign policy issues in the global South. Their latest book explores Beijing’s engagement and influence in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).
Alden, Chris, & Mendez, Alvaro. (2023). China and Latin America: Development, Agency and Geopolitics. London, UK: Bloomsbury Academic.
The Sustainable Development Initiative (SDI) at LSE IDEAS is a research initiative that investigates the roles played by international organizations, multilateral development banks and commercial financial institutions in apportioning resources for sustainable development. We inquire how these actors have been internalizing innovative norms into their practices based on the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria. This initiative brings together the expertise of academics, practitioners, policy makers and business leaders with the aim of advancing the UN 2030 Agenda.
Sustainable Development Initiative
Navigating the Geopolitics of BRICS: Perspectives from Southeast Asia
Wed 12 Feb 2025
Professor Cheng-Chwee Kuik spoke on the three common misunderstandings about why more nations are becoming new members or partner countries of BRICS. With Gregory T. Chin and Alvaro Mendez, they raised questions about if it is “all about anti-West”; “all about balancing”; and “all about Global South”. They elaborated on reasons why some Southeast Asian states have an interest in joining the BRICS, with a particular emphasis on the middle state’s foreign policy behaviour – notably “hedging”.
Watch Here