Your Voice is Shaping Developments

Change Makers - Meet the Change Makerswho are leading on the enhancement of your education and experience across LSE through independent research.

Student Academic Mentor Programme (SAM) - is a student-to-student mentoring model, designed by students, for students. Read more here.

Mentor Groups - All students (UG and MSc) are grouped into Mentor Groups – small groups of students who have the same Academic Mentor and who may work together through the year with each other and their Academic Mentor, as well as potentially on Departmental academic and community activities. Mentor groups are central to the Social Policy Departmental community. Read more here.

Student & Alumni Partnerships - Our Academic and Professional Skills Officer, Kylie Patterson, works with our alumni community to support current students with the transition from university to the world of work or further education. Kylie runs an Alumni mentoring schemefor 2nd and 3rd year undergraduate students. Kylie also connects our alumni community with our current students through various workshops and networking events throughout the academic year.

Events - The Department's programme of events aims to bring students together and have the opportunity to socialise with each other, faculty and alumni.

ISPP Seminar Series - Our ongoing International Social and Public Policy seminar series brings together international Scholars working on topics relevant to Social Policy in a global context and is a fantastic opportunity for our community to engage in the latest conversations around cutting-edge research.

Communication - Find out about all of the ways that we will communicate and share information with you here.

RACE MATTERS

RACE MATTERS is a practical initiative developed by Dr Sunil Kumar and Dr Vanessa Hughes in the Department of Social Policy. It proposes a plan of concrete action via three spaces that enable students and staff to talk about ‘race’ and other racialised discriminations and how it can contribute to a decolonised International Social and Public Policy education and experience. The three spaces are:

• Film showings and discussion.
• Reading groups: Material in the form of literary texts, poetry, op-eds, blogs and podcasts.
• Experiential Groups: To provide safe spaces to discuss anti-racism and anti-discrimination of other racial social groupings from around the world, such as Dalits and indigenous and first nation peoples.

All information on the initiative is accessible through a dedicated Moodle page, accessible to current students.

There are many opportunities for studentsto get involved in activities in the Department and Volunteering opportunitiesavailable through the LSE Volunteer Centre.

Academic and Professional Skills Development

This Department initiative provides many opportunities for you to gain practical skills and knowledge which promote academic and professional success at LSE and beyond.
Read more here

Language Bursary scheme- the Department offers a number of bursaries for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students to take non-degree modern foreign language courses at the . Read our student testimonials.

MSc Conference and Research Fund- the Department can help with the cost of research-related activities. Read more here. Read our student testimonials.

The Academic Mentor Support Schedules, designed specifically for our Undergraduate and Postgraduate students, communicate how you can get the most support from your Academic Mentor.

The Department's Assessment and Feedback strategy ensures you understand the learning outcomes of your courses and programme, assists you in getting the most out of the assessment and learning process and provides you with fast and responsive feedback.

Don't forget- feedback is a two-way process. Find out more from our handy guide here on how to make the most out of feedback opportunities!

Exam feedback - 1st, 2nd year Undergraduate students and part-time Postgraduate students are given feedback on exams.

Dissertation preparation - there are bespoke workshops and alumni presentation sessions to provide support for you in preparing for your Dissertation, in addition to the support provided by your Academic Mentor/Dissertation Supervisor and Course Convenors.

If you have any concerns or are in need of support, please remember to reach out to us. Here are some ways we can help:

• Academic Mentor - who will guide and assist you in your learning development and maintain an overview of your academic progress and overall wellbeing during your time at the School. Find out more about the role of your Academic Mentor here.
• Peer supporters - Peer Supporters have been specifically selected and trained in listening, questioning and responding skills so they can help other students to reach their solutions. Find out more here.
• MHFA - Many of the Department's are Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA)- a point of contact if you, or someone you are concerned about, is experiencing a mental health problem or emotional distress. They can give you initial support and signpost you to appropriate help if required.
• Programme Support Drop-Ins - the Programme support teams offer weekly sessions where you can speak to us about anything for which you need help or advice. You can book sessions via the Student Hub.
• Community Wellbeing Wall – a community wellbeing wall and wellbeing webpage has been established, encouraging the Department community to share your wellbeing tips and resources and ideas on how you are keeping motivated and what wellbeing means to you all.
• Hardship Funds- If you find yourself in unexpected financial need, you should apply to the School Hardship Fund in the first instance. Contact the Student Services Centre for information on how to apply. Once you have applied to the School fund, you can also apply to the Department Hardship fund. This may be able to help you in the short term, while the School processes your School hardship application, or in addition to the School hardship fund, in particular cases. Speak to your Academic Mentor and/or the Programme support team for further information on where the Department Hardship fund may be able to help you.
• Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) at the Department of Social Policy - The Department and its staff work to ensure respectful, inclusive and supportive working relationships within the Department. Read more here.
• Reporting and Safe Contacts - The School's website, Making a Choice, is specifically designed to report any type of discrimination, sexual violence, bullying, harassment, and hate crime experienced on campus, and to provide sources of support. The Safe Contacts and Support scheme is made up of members of LSE staff who have received training and can offer a confidential 'signposting' service for students and staff who have previously or are currently experiencing some form of bullying or harassment.
  Report it, stop it allows individuals to confidentially report any form of violence or harassment to the School, whether they have experienced it themselves or have been a witness.
  Racism, homophobia/transphobia, sexism, discrimination, bullying and harassment are all unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the Department of Social Policy or at LSE.

Student Academic Representatives - All Programmes elect Student Academic Representatives, who voice your views and pass on your feedback to course and Programme leaders and the Programme Support Team, and help to improve your LSE experience. Student Academic Representatives attend regular meetings and liaise with key faculty on your behalf. Read more here.

Find out more about your UG Student Academic Representatives

Find out more about your PG Student Academic Representatives

Find out more about your PhD Student Academic Representatives