Welcome new SPP students
This September, more than 300 new students joined the LSE School of Public Policy (SPP), bringing together a diverse cohort representing over 50 nationalities and a wide range of academic, professional, and personal experiences.
Over the past few weeks, we have welcomed students beginning their studies on our two-year Master of Public Administration (MPA), MPA Double Degrees, and MPA in Data Science for Public Policy (MPA DSPP) programmes. We also welcomed experienced professionals joining our intensive nine-month Master of Public Policy (MPP) programme.
Our new Executive MPA and Executive MPP students also joined us on campus for their first module and will return again in November for their second module to explore political science and public policy.
This diversity of backgrounds in the cohort creates a vibrant learning environment where students can share perspectives, challenge ideas, and engage in meaningful discussions with classmates, faculty, and leading practitioners on some of the world's most pressing public policy issues.
To help students settle into life at LSE and SPP, welcome activities introduced them to the people, opportunities, and support available throughout their studies. Sessions led by faculty, current students, alumni, careers and professional skills specialists provided insights into their curriculum, support at LSE, student life, the Professional Skills Accelerator, and student networks and communities.
The welcome activities concluded with a special panel discussion, "Is Public Policy Still Relevant?" Hosted by Interim Dean Professor Tony Travers and featuring Professor Adnan Khan, Professor Sandra Sequeira, and SPP's incoming Dean Dr Anne-Marie Slaughter, the event encouraged students to reflect on the challenges and opportunities facing policymakers today and consider the role of public policy in our evolving future.
Covering topics including migration, artificial intelligence, populism, and the changing roles of governments, experts and the media, the lively panel discussion and student Q&A highlighted the critical role public policy will continue to play in addressing global challenges and advancing LSE's mission of working "for the betterment of society."
As they begin their studies, students are encouraged to remember this mission as they embrace new perspectives, broaden their horizons, and learn from the wealth of experience within the SPP community. We look forward to supporting them on their journey and seeing the positive impact they will make in public policy around the world.
Welcome to all our new and returning students. We are excited to see what you will achieve in the years ahead.
