On Wednesday 18 October, Professors Julia Black and Paul Kelly welcomed students and staff to the Excellence in Education and Teaching Promotion Awards in the Shaw Library.

The event was an opportunity to celebrate the contribution that award winners have made to the School through their dedication to teaching excellence and its positive impact on students and academic departments.

Winners this year were recognised for a range of work, including curriculum redesign, assessment diversification, and initiatives to collaborate with students and assist them in undertaking primary research. The Students’ Union Music Society also provided a range of highly appreciated performances through the evening.

Award winner Dr Jennifer Jackson Preece, Associate Professor in Nationalism in Europe and Deputy Head of the European Institute, attended the event and said: "The Excellence in Education Awards reception was a wonderful celebration of the School's historic mission to empower students by research led teaching. I enjoyed both convivial conversations with colleagues from across the School and the music provided by some (very talented) LSE students. Fingers crossed this will be the first of many such occasions!"

Visit the website to catch up on our interview series with some of the awards winners, and the LSE Education Blog to learn more about their innovative teaching.

The Green Gown Awards recognise exceptional sustainability action in universities and colleges across the UK, and LSE is a finalist in two categories.

Our Annual Report has put us in the running for the sustainability reporting award, and our sustainability training which was an e-learning module rolled out to Estates staff, is a finalist in the learning and skills category.

The winners will be announced in an awards ceremony on Thursday 10 November in Leicester’s Athena Centre, hosted by Mike Barry, Director of Sustainable Business (Plan A) at Marks and Spencer. Fingers crossed!

See the Green Gown finalists brochure for more info on our projects.

Increased retirement age puts pressure on 'sandwich generation'
A new study from LSE has found that raising the retirement age is likely to put pressure on middle-aged people with caring responsibilities.

Leveson press restrictions a 'threat to democracy and accuracy'
The breakdown of metropolitan police and media relations in the wake of the Leveson Inquiry has led to a proliferation of inaccurate and prejudicial news reports in recent years, according to a new study by a leading criminologist.

Student Staff Liaison Committees (SSLCs) are forums in which students (via programme representatives) can voice their views about their time at LSE, make suggestions for improvement, and work with academic departments to enhance experiences for the whole student body.

Talking about her time as a representative whilst studying for a Master's in Media, Communication and Development in 2015-16, Sadi Pokharel (pictured) said: "Student opinion is crucial for a smooth running of an institution like LSE, and as an SSLC rep I was able to communicate important everyday issues faced by students in my department to the staff and help resolve them. It was a very valuable experience being part of a team that works towards improving the overall student experience at the University".

As each Student Staff Liaison Committee is able to put forward a member of their group to represent their department at either Undergraduate, Taught Graduate, or Research consultative forums, SSLCs are also a mechanism by which you can share your views at School-level.

Nolwenn de Gibon (pictured), a former representative for MSc in Global Media and Communications - Fudan students, said of her experiences: "The student rep system at LSE is a great way to represent your classmates, but also to interact with the academic staff outside the classroom. It really gives a voice to students in both the School's academic and non-academic matters. Being a rep, you realize that the LSE administration is open to feedback and change, even if the results might not be visible before we leave".

How to get involved

SSLC meetings are held once a term, so contact your student representative(s) to highlight the best things about LSE and feedback where we can improve.

Not sure who your SSLC representatives are? Get in touch with your academic department for further information.

If you studied at a school or college in the UK, we would like to give you the opportunity to return to your former school/college to talk to prospective students about your experience of studying at LSE and in London. You will be paid for your time.

If you are interested in participating in such a visit and sharing your experiences of studying at LSE with potential future LSE students, please contact Shakila Khan, with full details of your former school/college and we will make all the arrangements on your behalf.

During the UK/EU referendum campaign, the Library collected leaflets from the Leave and Remain campaigns in order to preserve the debate and make it available for research.

We’re looking for a postgraduate student to research these leaflets in depth and write a blog post for LSE Brexit. This is a great way to try your hand at academic blog writing, and we’re looking for a fresh take on how these leaflets were used during the campaign.

If you are interested, please get in touch with Ros Taylor, Managing Editor of LSE Brexit.

Nominations for Honorary Doctorate are invited. The criteria for the award of an Honorary Doctorate are:

The LSE Council may confer an Honorary Doctorate on an individual who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and distinction in a field or activity consonant with the work of the School and with its mission to improve society and understand the 'causes of things'.

Unlike Honorary Fellows, Honorary Doctorates do not need a direct connection with the School.

The deadline for the receipt of nominations to be considered in academic year 2016-17 is Friday 13 January 2017. Any Honorary Doctorates awarded would be conferred in December 2017.

For more information, and a nomination form, click here. Joan Poole would be happy to answer any queries, on email or on ext 7825.

Information about your LSE Student ID Card

Your LSE student ID card is your gateway to many services at LSE. As you’ll have realised, it’s required to access many buildings on campus and allows you to take books from the library. But did you know you can also use it to pay for printing using LSE Wallet and purchase refreshments from LSE’s catering outlets? You’re advised to keep your student ID card safe and carry it with you at all times when you’re on campus.

What should I do if I lose my ID card?

1)      Report the loss to the Student Services Centre. We can cancel it so that if anyone finds it they won’t be able to access secure campus buildings in your name.
2)      If you have money on your sQuid account, you should also log in at squidcard.com/lse to report your card lost or stolen.
3)      Order a replacement card using the LSE Online Store. There’s a £10 replacement fee for lost cards; however this is waived if your ID card has been stolen and you can provide a valid crime reference number.
4)      Collect your replacement student ID card from the Student Services Centre. It will be ready the following working day if you ordered it before 4pm, or after two working days if you ordered it after 4pm. Our opening hours are Monday-Friday, 11am-4pm.
5)      If you use sQuid, you’ll need to register your new ID card at squidcard.com/lse. Otherwise, your new card is ready for use!

How can I get a replacement for an expired ID card?

1)      Order an 'expired ID card replacement'
2)      Collect your replacement student ID card from the Student Services Centre. It will be ready the following working day if you ordered it before 4pm, or after 2 working days if you ordered it after 4pm. Our opening hours are Monday-Friday, 11am-4pm.
3)      If you use sQuid, you’ll need to register your new ID card at squidcard.com/lse. Otherwise, your new card is ready for use!

I’ve left my student ID card at home. What should I do?

If you need to access the library or a restricted-access building on campus, please speak to a member of security of library staff about your options. The SSC can’t issue you with a temporary card, but you might still be able to gain access with an alternative form of photo ID. Don’t do this too often though - Security do keep track!

Whatever you do, don’t borrow a friend’s student ID card. As it says on the back of your card, it is not transferable, and if you’re caught using someone else’s ID card it will be confiscated.

For more information, visit lse.ac.uk/studentIDCards.

Schengen Visa Applications for International Students

As you progress through Michaelmas Term, you might be thinking about travelling overseas during the Christmas break.

If you’re an international student, you might need to apply for a Schengen Visa to visit other European countries. Take a look at the International Student Visa Advice Team’s information sheet about travelling during and after your studies if you’re not sure.

Most embassies will require evidence that you’re a registered student as part of the application process. We can print this out for you, on request, at the Student Services Centre.

If you’ll need this document, please:

• Check that your address information is up-to-date in LSE for You. If you make any changes, please wait an hour before requesting a letter from the SSC.
• Decide which embassy you’ll apply to - this will need to be included on the letter.
• Make sure to request your letter from the SSC in plenty of time for your visa appointment. We are open Monday - Friday, 11am - 4pm.
• Don’t request a letter too soon! Some embassies won’t accept a letter that was printed far in advance of your appointment.

Experience a British Christmas with HOST UK

Are you an international student who would like to spend a day or weekend learning more about British culture with friendly people who will treat you as a guest in their home and show you their local area?

If you’ve answered yes to this question, consider arranging a day or weekend visit to another part of the UK with HOST. HOST is a charity that’s supported by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

HOST also offer themed festive visits throughout November and December, which are an opportunity to experience British Christmas traditions first-hand. Be quick though! The deadline for booking a festive visit is Friday 18 November.

To learn more about HOST UK and find out how to apply for a HOST UK visit, come along to our HOST Social Event on Friday 11 November, 1pm-2pm, 32L.B.07. Book your place at lsehost.eventbrite.co.uk.

You can also find out more information online at lse.ac.uk/HOSTUK.

Come and remember all who have lost their lives in war and particularly alumni of LSE.

Join us on Friday 11 November at 10.50am in the Shaw Library, Old Building.

Tuesday 8 November, 2pm, LSE LIFE Workspace 2

LSE LIFE is running a hands-on workshop inspired by the work of Charles Booth, a pioneer in social research and creator of a remarkable set of maps, notes, and journals documenting poverty in London at the end of the 19th century.

You will have an opportunity to consider different approaches to research, go out into the Library as an undercover social researcher to collect data and create a map of your findings. Find out what’s really going on in your Library.

This year’s Martin Wight Memorial Lecture, hosted by the Department of International Relations, will be delivered by Nicola Phillips (pictured), Professor of Political Economy and the Head of the Department of Politics at the University of Sheffield on the topic "Power and Inequality in the Global Political Economy" on Wednesday 9 November. Her talk will address the evolution of inequalities in the global economy - and how different powers are propelling new forms of unequal development across the world.

Other forthcoming events include: international lawyer Professor Philippe Sands (pictured) on his new book East West Street; Sebastian Mallaby on the life and times of Alan Greenspan; a celebration of Hilary Putnam by the Forum for European Philosophy; a US Centre discussion on the Presidential election; Gareth Stedman Jones on Karl Marx; and the LSE100 prize giving and public lecture with Tim Marshall on the power and politics of flags.

Upcoming ticket release: On Tuesday 8 November, tickets will be available for "Investing in Inclusive Growth" a lecture by Canada’s Minister of Finance and LSE alumnus Bill Morneau taking place on Tuesday 15 November.

Monday 7 November, 6.30-8pm, Wolfson Theatre, New Academic Building
Speaker: Wolfgang Streeck, Emeritus Director of the Max Planck Institute for Social Research in Cologne and Professor of Sociology at the University of Cologne.

In How Will Capitalism End? the acclaimed analyst of contemporary politics and economics Wolfgang Streeck argues that capitalism is now in a critical condition. Growth is giving way to secular stagnation; inequality is leading to instability; and confidence in the capitalist money economy has all but evaporated.

This event is free and open to all; however a ticket is required and only one ticket per person can be requested. All our events are overticketed so please do arrive early to avoid disappointment and note that a ticket does not guarantee entry to the event. Request a ticket on eventbrite.

The Geography of Intergenerational Mobility
Speaker: Professor Raj Chetty
Recorded: Monday 24 October, approx. 77 minutes

Women in Politics: change and continuity
Speakers: Professor Sarah Childs, Professor Emma Crewe, Dr Mona Morgan-Collins, and Sam Smethers
Recorded: Wednesday 26 October, approx. 87 minutes

Growth and Sustainability: 10 years on from the Stern Review
Speaker: Professor Lord Stern
Recorded: Thursday 27 October, approx. 90 minutes

Reading Week is nearly over and we’re getting into the second half of Michaelmas Term. At LSE LIFE we’re using this week to help you make the most of your time right now as well as starting to think about life after LSE.

Plan what needs to be done now, now
Monday 7 November, 12pm
Why can it be so difficult to get started on an important task? And why it is so tempting to do something else once you’ve gotten started? In this workshop, Dr Ohemaa Nkansa-Dwamena from the Student Counselling Service will help clarify some of the reasons why we procrastinate and propose a wide range of practical approaches to dealing with procrastination and staying focussed.
Book a place

Thinking creatively and critically about your professional future
Monday 7 and Monday 21 November, 6pm
A degree from LSE offers you many different career opportunities - in fact, there are so many opportunities out there that understanding yourself, what career path you may want to choose, and why you might want to choose it are important first steps for your life after LSE. This workshop series (two modules) offers you the opportunity to reflect creatively and in-depth about who you are and what you want for your career in a small and personal setting. Suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate students of any age, we encourage you to join both modules of this workshop series and let Angela Stern, a highly experienced coach for performance and motivational skills, and Philip Rauber (LSE LIFE) guide you to discover new perspectives on how to think about and shape your future career path.
Book a place (Part 1)
Book a place (Part 2)

How to apply for a Master’s Degree
Thursday 10 November, 1pm
As you come to the end of your undergraduate degree, you may be thinking of going on to study for a Master’s degree. However, it can be a daunting prospect with so many different options available to you and without UCAS to help. Let Gemma Stansfield and Philip Rauber guide you through the process of choosing courses and making applying for them as easy as possible.
Book a place

LSE Perspectives is looking for new photos for its monthly online photo exhibitions. We welcome entries from LSE staff or students and it’s a great way to promote your work or simply share your experience.

Find the October 2016 edition on LSE Perspectives here. If you are interested in submitting photos for November’s edition, please follow the instructions found here. We will email you if your photo is selected.

If you have any questions, please email arts@lse.ac.uk.

On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, we’re showcasing a selection of students and staff sharing their favourite places on and around campus in celebration of all the wonderful places at LSE and across London.

As proud supporters of Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s #LondonIsOpen campaign, the initiative is an opportunity for you to tell the LSE community what spaces make you feel part of LSE, and remind the world that our capital is open to everyone.

Follow along every day for new stories, and share selfies of you in your favourite places with us on social media.

This academic year, we will be running a new section in Student News to celebrate all the LSE 'stars' out there.

Do you know a fellow student who goes out of their way to help to others? Would you like to thank someone you've worked with recently? Does your friend give up their time to volunteer or raise money for charity, or is there a society that you think should be recognised for their success?

If so, we want to hear all about it, so please get in touch with us at communications.internal@lse.ac.uk and tell us about your LSE stars!