"LGBT History Month is celebrated in the UK in February each year and LSE’s LGBT+ staff network Spectrum and LSESU LGBT+ Alliance for students are actively supporting this. This year’s theme - Religion, Belief and Philosophy - is not only very topical, it also reflects a long history of thought and action on rights and justice for the LGBT+ community. I hope the LSE community will engage with these groups and their events so that we work, as we must, to encourage deeper understanding and an ever more inclusive School environment." Professor Robin Mansell, Deputy Director and Provost
Follow LSE’s LGBT History Month activities at lse.ac.uk/spectrum and @LSESpectrum. Join Spectrum, LSE’s LGBT+ staff network, in celebrating LGBT History Month this February, and remember we are here year-round if you need us. If you’d like to join our mailing list or have a question then drop us a line at spectrum@lse.ac.uk.
School photographer Nigel Stead will be holding staff portrait photo sessions on Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 February. Just turn up between 11am-1pm and 2-4pm.
Paul Sullivan Top five dinner party guests? For Paul, Manager of the Institute of Public Affairs, it would be Richie Benaud, Richard Nixon, Ruth First, Joseph Heller and Miranda Richardson.
On Friday 29 January, Professor Sonia Livingstone was awarded a honorary doctorate from the University of Panthéon-Assas (Paris II).
The award was conferred to her by the President of the University, William Leyte, in the great amphitheater.
Professor Livingstone said: "Collaborating with researchers across Europe has long been central to my work on audiences, given the transnational nature of media, so it was a pleasure to receive this honour from the University of Panthéon-Assas."
Last week LSE students raised over £5,000 for international development charity Farm Africa in a 'jailbreak' challenge which saw one group of daring undergraduates secure free return flights to Bangkok, Thailand.
15 teams of two or three students had 36 hours to escape from their LSE 'prison' and travel as far as possible in 36 hours without paying for their transport.
The winning teammates were undergraduate students Lynne Sakr, Jessica Jourja, and Riana Barrow (from left), who raised £470 in donations and managed to travel 9,691 kilometres with Thai Airways.
Internet use is driving a greater wedge in our communities, increasing existing inequalities between rich and poor, a new study reveals.
The study, by Dr Ellen Helsper from LSE and Dutch researcher Dr Alexander van Deursen, shows that educated people on high incomes derive the greatest benefits from using the internet.
In April 2016 the United Nations General Assembly will convene a Special Session on Drugs (UNGASS). With many member states looking to move well beyond the failed policy of the so-called ‘war on drugs’ and institute new policies, what might drug policy look like in the coming years?
A series of possible answers were recently provided by Professor Michael Cox, Director of LSE IDEAS, and Dr John Collins, Executive Director the LSE IDEAS International Drug Policy Project. They joined Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos (pictured) - an LSE alumni - and senior members of his government to discuss what a post-‘war on drugs’ strategy might look like at a packed event in Bogota, Colombia, held on Thursday 28 January.
LSE named top employer for dads: Dr Alasdair Jones interviewed by Working Mums
LSE's Dr Alasdair Jones, Assistant Professor of Qualitative Research Methodology, was interviewed by Working Mums about the School's 'shared parental leave' initiative.
Earlier this year, LSE won Working Mums's 'Best for Dads Top Employer Award' for the fourth year in a row, in recognition of LSE's supportive culture for parents.
Alasdair highly commended the support of his LSE colleagues in guiding him and his wife through the complexity of shared parental leave.
LSE’s impact in the digital world
This February, the LSE research impact website is showcasing just some of the impact our academics have had in the digital world. Three new case studies have been released that demonstrate LSE-led digital advances for business, governments and consumers.
Fostering an inclusive information society Dr Ellen Helsper helped address digital exclusion and its socio-economic disadvantages in the UK and Europe. Read the impact case study
Helping organisations harness the power of innovative IT technologies PA Consulting Group commissioned Dr Carsten Sørensen to identify more innovative and strategic ways to use IT systems in organisations. Read the impact case study
Designing the world’s first glasses-free 3D television Professor Henry Wynn led a collaboration to improve the design of a key component in TVs and mobile devices. Read the impact case study
IMT has recently completed a project to provide all departments and divisions with new multifunctional printer devices (MFDs), replacing older devices and desktop printers.
The new MFDs allow you to print, copy and scan to email using any Canon device on campus.
The ‘Follow me’ printing system means you can send your print job to the print queue, then collect your printouts from any of the MFDs using your LSE ID card.
Following the recent launch of LSE’s Organisational Learning Unit’s career pathways framework, the LSE branch of the Association of University Administrators has organised a session to discuss moving between departments and divisions, to show how you can move around the School, into areas not previously considered, to develop new skills and further your career.
This will take place on Tuesday 9 February from 12.30pm in PAR LG.03.
Several members of professional services staff have volunteered to share their experiences of moving between departments and/or divisions. There will be plenty of time for questions, informal discussions and networking. All interested members of staff are welcome to attend.
Next week at LSE Catering
Chinese New Year @ the Fourth Floor Restaurant
A specially themed menu for Chinese New Year will be served at the Fourth Floor Restaurant on Monday 8 February from 3-7pm and on Tuesday 9 February from 11.30am-2.30pm.
Be sure to celebrate with friends and colleagues for what is sure to be a fun and delicious celebration.
Bean Counter Pancake Day
On Tuesday 9 February the Bean Counter in 32 Lincoln's Inn Fields will be celebrating pancake day with freshly made to order pancakes available throughout the day.
Various pancakes will be on offer including the classic pancake with lemon and sugar as well as other options featuring Nutella and fresh fruit.
Still trying to stick to your New Year's resolution to get fit? Why not exercise right here at LSE?
Security Officer and former boxer Daniel Beckley runs regular skip fit lessons for all staff and students. Check out the dates for upcoming lessons here.
Get active with LSESU Active Lifestyle - from drop-in sessions, beginner courses, inter-hall leagues and one-off events, they offer a range of activities for you to get involved with.
Information Management and Technology (IMT) provides a range of IT training for LSE staff.
All sessions are free, except for the Microsoft Office Specialist Certification (MOS) which is available at a reduced cost.
Over the Lent term you could enhance your Microsoft Office skills via an IT Practical workshop, drop in to a Software Surgery to address a specific issue, or validate your knowledge with a MOS exam. Find out more here.
Friday 5 February from 12.30-2pm in the Hong Kong Theatre, Clement House
Elizabeth Hoff, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Syria, will look at the context of Syria pre-and post-2011, the current humanitarian situation, and the challenges which were faced by the WHO at the beginning of the humanitarian operation.
Don’t forget - ReLove Fashion is happening next Monday (8 February) from 10am-3pm in the LSESU Venue.
ReLove Fashion is your opportunity to update your wardrobe by swapping clothes and learning how to make practical use of your unloved clothing. Why not clear out your wardrobe this weekend, bring in the clothes you no longer love and swap them for a whole new look?
Drop in to bring along your unloved clothes and find a fresh new outfit. Sustainable fashion charity TRAID are running workshops on how to make a tote bag from an old t shirt, places are limited so book yours through Eventbrite.
Tuesday 9 February from 6.30-8pm in the Old Theatre, Old Building
20,000 years ago, the average person stood a 10-20 per cent chance of dying violently. Today, the chance is under 1 per cent. We have cut rates of violent death by 90 per cent by creating large organisations that impose peace; but the main method for creating these organisations has been war. In effect, violence has slowly been putting itself out of business.
Professor Ian Morris, Philippe Roman Chair in History and International Affairs at LSE IDEAS for 2015-16, will discuss how the trends suggest that this process will probably continue.
Wednesday 10 February from 6.30-8pm in the Wolfson Theatre, New Academic Building
Euripides L. Evriviades, High Commissioner for the Republic of Cyprus to the UK, will underline why Cyprus and the EU are important to each other and discuss the long term security of the region.
This event is free and open to all, but registration is required at Eventbrite.
Monday 15 February from 6.30-8pm in the Old Theatre, Old Building Speakers: Dr John Collins; Executive Director of the LSE IDEAS International Drug Policy Project, Dr Joanne Csete; Adjunct Professor of Public Health at Columbia University, Dr Kasia Malinowska-Sempruch; Director of the Global Drug Policy Program at the Open Society Foundation, and Javier Sagredo; Regional Democratic Governance and Citizen Security Advisor at the UN Development Programme.
Launch event for the LSE Expert Group on the Economics of Drug Policy report After the Drug Wars.
In April 2016, nation states and civil society will be convening in New York at the UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs (UNGASS) to discuss the future of international drug control.
As we lead up to UNGASS, After the Drug Wars will provide a new and urgently needed framework for drug control reforms based on key tenets of Sustainable Development, grounded in public health and rigorous economic analysis.
Georgios Evangelopoulos, Scientific Advisor to the President of the Hellenic Republic, will deliver the next event in the Hellenic Observatory's 2015-16 Seminar Series on Tuesday 9 February
Patricia Owens, Professor of International Relations at the University of Sussex, will discuss When War Is Oikonomia By Other Means on Thursday 11 February
Check out upcoming events from the Centre for the Study of Human Rights
All staff interested in research funding or already with an award are invited to attend the following events:
What is Horizon 2020? Tuesday 16 February from 12-1.30pm Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme ever with nearly €80 billion of funding available over seven years (2014-20). This session will provide an overview on:
Horizon2020 schemes
Information about EC’s programmes, how they work and what sorts of approach to be taken
Upcoming calls in 2016
Research Incentives Policy and Personal Financial Rewards Tuesday 23 February from 12-1.30pm This session will update staff on LSE’s Research Incentives Policy which includes both the Personal Financial Rewards (PFR) and Research Infrastructure and Investment Funding (RIIF) schemes. This policy provides financial rewards for staff who win research funding - to enhance their salaries, to buy out their time from teaching and/or to provide unencumbered research funding - and research funding for the departments and research centres which host them.
Look out for occasional posts on the LSE Library blog highlighting a selection of data resources available to LSE staff and students.
Get in touch!
If you have some news, an achievement, or an aspect of LSE life that you would like to share, we would love to hear from you - get in touch at communications.internal@lse.ac.uk or on ext 7582.
The next edition of Staff News is on Thursday 11 February. Articles for this should be emailed to us by Tuesday 9 February. Staff News is emailed every Thursday during term time and fortnightly during the holidays.
Bean Counter Pancake Day
February Special: sign up for MOS and receive a free power bank
