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Department of International Relations Centenary 1927-2027

Join us to celebrate one hundred years of the Department of International Relations at LSE!

The theme of our year-long celebration is:
A Century of International Thinking: Celebrating International Relations at LSE

Throughout 2027, we will be marking a century of international thinking, teaching and research at LSE through a programme of events and initiatives that will bring together alumni, students, and staff from around the world.

During the year we will have many exciting events including:

  • Public events throughout the year, beginning in January 2027
  • Academic symposium at LSE on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 June 2027
  • Exhibition in the Great Hall, Marshall Building in Autumn Term 2027 celebrating the future of IR
  • Alumni reunion in summer 2027
IR@100 Department of International Relations 100-year Anniversary Symposium Thursday 3 and Friday 4 June 2027 at LSE Campus. Title "A Century of International Thinking: Celebrating International Relations at LSE".

Save the date: International Relations 100-Year Anniversary Symposium

As part of our centenary programme, we are delighted to invite alumni, former staff, current students and colleagues, scholars, practitioners, and friends of the Department to our flagship event:

100-year Anniversary Symposium
Thursday 3 and Friday 4 June 2027
LSE Campus, London

Under the theme 'A Century of International Thinking: Celebrating International Relations at LSE', the symposium will reflect on the Department's history, examine the changing nature of international affairs over the past century, and explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the discipline.

The symposium will offer two days of thought-provoking discussions, debate, and celebration, alongside opportunities to reconnect with the Department and fellow members of the IR community.

Further details, including the full programme and registration information, will be announced in due course.

Students studying in the Old Library History Reading Room in 1964

Do you know of any examples of the department having appeared in wider culture?

As we prepare for the centenary celebrations in 2027, we are gathering examples of the many ways the department, its staff, students and alumni have appeared in, influenced, or been connected to wider culture, public life and significant historical events.

We're particularly interested in stories that illustrate the department's presence in popular culture or its connection to significant historical moments. Examples might include:

  • References to the Department, LSE or IR academics in novels, films, television programmes, plays or other cultural works
  • IR academics or alumni appearing as characters, or serving as inspiration for characters, in works of fiction
  • Notable references to the department or its members in popular culture
  • Stories that link members of the department to significant moments in international history

At this stage, we are interested in anything that might be relevant, even if it seems anecdotal. We are looking for leads, stories, references and memories that help illustrate the many ways the Department of International Relations has intersected with the wider political, cultural and historical world over the past century.

If you have something to share, please send as much detail as possible, including dates, names, sources or links where available to ir.comms@lse.ac.uk.

Thank you for helping us capture this aspect of the department's history as we mark 100 years of IR at LSE!

Are you an alumnus? Help shape our International Relations Centenary Exhibition

As part of the Department's centenary celebrations in 2027, we are developing an exhibition exploring the future of International Relations over the next 100 years. We are inviting alumni to contribute ideas that will help inform a series of exhibition panels imagining the future of different regions of the world.

We would be particularly interested in hearing from you about a region you know well through your personal background, academic interests, research, or professional experience.

In particular:

  1. What do you think will be the most significant change shaping this region over the next 100 years?
  2. What visual would you choose to represent this region in 2127 (for example, an image, place, technology, landscape or symbol), and why?
  3. Looking ahead to 2127, what do you think people living or working in this region will be most concerned about, and what will they be most hopeful for?

Please share your thoughts via ir.alumni@lse.ac.uk. Your responses may help shape both the content and visual design of the exhibition, ensuring it reflects the global perspectives and experiences of our alumni community.

Visitors viewing the LSE Festival 2026 exhibition in the Marshall Building at LSE.
Are you an alumnus who would like to be involved in our 2027 celebrations? Contact us at ir.alumni@lse.ac.uk

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