The Impact Research Lab 2026

This June LSE launched its inaugural LSE Impact Research Lab (IRL) programme. We are delighted to share that three Philosophy students joined to solve real-world challenges.

The inaugural LSE Impact Research Lab (IRL), a nine-day intensive interdisciplinary programme which took place from Monday 8 to Thursday 18 June.

The programme brought together students from across the School to work on challenges set by partner organisations, and we were incredibly impressed by the enthusiasm, commitment and professionalism shown by all of the students who took part.

Working in multidisciplinary teams, students researched and analysed a real-world challenge before developing pathways to change, producing deliverables set by the partner organisation and presenting their findings directly to their partner and a public audience at the Knowledge Beyond Boundaries interdisciplinary student research conference as part of the LSE Festival on Wednesday 17 June.

We are particularly proud of our three LSE Philosophy students who participated:

• Emma Bielle-Bisson - Office for Investment | Meaningfully engaging local communities in foreign direct investment
• Mathias Vanem Aas- Justice by Degree | Making research count: translating evidence into impact for a charity supporting disadvantaged young women
• Surya Prasanna - Office for Investment | Meaningfully engaging local communities in foreign direct investment