LSE Alumni

‘‘There is a sense of irreversible change, a sense of things coming to some sort of conclusion’’ 🙁

What does it mean when we feel that our problems might not be fixable in the future? How does that sense of crisis impact electoral politics?

Professor Jonathan White discusses his research in how our approach to the future affects politics and society.

How ideas of the future can help us find time for democracy | LSE Research In his new book, Jonathan White explores how ideas of the future are integral to politics and democracy. We need to retain our commitment to longer-term thinking to counter the sense that time is running out, he argues.

Thank you to everyone who attended one of our campus tours this week!

As part of we ran alumni tours exploring our modern campus and the local history of Clare Market. We then followed this up with some afternoon tea. 😋

What is the impact of social mobility?

LSE Law School alumnus Peter Whitehead and his LSE friend group have decided to publish their memories of 1970s LSE with the hope of sparking discussion about what social mobility means. Here Peter describes his life, his time at LSE and the Class Mates book project:

"My room was in Passfield Hall, and it was there I met my friends, Jim and Kevin. Jim was from an Irish diaspora family now living in London, and Kevin was the son of a steelworker in the north-east. Our room was no.118 in the annex and the friends we made elsewhere were slowly added to our group. We were all very much united by a common background and a powerful work ethic. However, we also knew how to have fun and our social lives revolved around the dining room and the bar.

Our group still meets regularly for lunch, dinner or drinks and we visit LSE whenever we can. We have noted how business-like it all appears and we have discussed how different the vastly expanded LSE is today. This led us to think that our memories might have some value gathered as a collection – a snapshot of how we made it to LSE, what we experienced, what the impact was and how we fared afterwards. Thus the Class Mates project was born – but sadly it was interrupted when one of our group, Mark Lycett, died three years ago. However, having got so far, I resolved to set a deadline and see something published before the summer of this year.

We hope the book will spark insightful debate around social mobility: what it means, how it works, the impact it can have – both positive and negative – on individuals and their families and friends. We also hope it will be a useful historical document of what LSE was like at an exciting time – and an entertaining read."

Peter Whitehead (LLB Law 1979)

Read Peter's full story ➡️ https://ow.ly/lIe450Sfxiw

“What is today the Aldwych was until the twentieth century a warren of medieval lanes, many housing a thriving po*******hy industry.”
Judith Flanders, The Victorian City, 2013

Today we to ancient Wych Street. Demolished in 1901 to make way for the Kingsway redevelopment, Wych Street connected with Drury Lane in the north before flowing down towards Butcher Row – once in front of St Clement Danes. On the other side of Wych Street was Holywell Street – named after the well that now sits under Australia House which was once described by 12th century clerk William FitzStephen as being a place “frequented by students and young men of the city, who head out on summer evenings to take the country air.”

Untouched by the Great Fire of London, the Elizabethan era buildings still remained at the dawn of the twentieth century. The Victorian era knew Holywell and Wych Streets as primarily inhabited by booksellers dealing in illicit materials. The streets were ultimately demolished due to the major traffic problem they had long caused being placed on one of the main arteries through central London.

“Holywell Street is now a thoroughfare which no one can decry on the score of reputation: it is, however, impossible to deny that, were the southern range of houses pulled down, the Strand would reap an immense advantage, and a fine road would be opened from the New Church to Saint Clement Danes.”
George Reynolds, The Mysteries of London, 1844-46

🖼️ © The Trustees of the British Museum

"I am living proof that the generosity you provide is invaluable. To all the donors who have supported the New Futures Fund Scholarships since their launch in 2002, I want to say a huge thank you."
Trudie Roiz de Sa (BSc Social Policy and Sociology 2011)

Over 10 years ago, Trudie was a New Futures Scholar - today she is an Associate Director with KPMG's People Consulting team where she focuses on equity, diversity and inclusion.

We would like to thank all our alumni who support the New Futures Scholarship programme, helping talented students in the UK and around the world to study at LSE. 🙌

Will you help a student accept their place at LSE this September? - Shaping the world One of LSE’s unique strengths is our diverse and global community – those who join us from all corners of the globe and all walks of life, bringing new perspectives to society’s greatest challenges. In today’s uncertain world, with its associated financial implications, it is more difficult ...

It's time for another LSE Election Night! 🤓

Will Sir Keir Starmer’s reformed Labour take power after the Party’s 14 years in opposition? 📈
Has Rishi Sunak done enough to keep some of the “blue wall” standing? 🟦
What might the results in Scotland mean for the future of the United Kingdom? 🦄

Join us we discuss the winners, The losers and the consequences for the UK and the world. 😬

Find out how to join in-person or online
➡️ https://ow.ly/vl4S50SfzXJ

Thank you to all our alumni who attended our network launch! 🎉

In partnership with LSE Careers and LSE Generate, we enjoyed networking and heard from alumni LGBTQ entrepreneurs! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

If you are interested in any of our alumni groups or networks, you can find out more here!

➡️ https://tinyurl.com/37cxnt52

Our Alumni Association in Qatar recently enjoyed an evening hosted by the UK Ambassador to Qatar, Neerav Patel, at his beautiful residence.

The event brought together distinguished guests including the UK Government’s Export Finance Team and other notable dignitaries associated with the UK and Qatar. It was a great joint collaborative initiative with the British Embassy to bring together alumni who have obtained world-class education from top universities in the UK.

These alumni now play pivotal roles across various sectors in Qatar, contributing to the nation's prosperity and success.
The event emphasised the importance of fostering strong ties between Qatar and the UK, promoting business networking opportunities, and enhancing Qatar-UK relations.

Thank you to all our alumni who came!

How can an author bring out the stories and voices buried in their research to deliver the impact they are hoping for? How should writers communicate experiences of power and oppression that are not their own?

Join LSE Press author Naila Kabeer as she discusses her new book, Renegotiating Patriarchy: Gender, Agency and the Bangladesh Paradox as part of

📅 Saturday 15 June 2024
⏰ 3.30pm to 4.30pm BST
🎟️ https://ow.ly/5B0O50SbIIM

If you are interesting in volunteering, remember we have a range of opportunities, from:

Becoming a School Governor 🎓
Hosting a Curious Conversation with a recent graduate 💭
Volunteering with LSE Careers 💼

Even if you only have one hour to give, we have opportunities for you!

Find out more ➡️https://ow.ly/Bgtk50SaETI

Are you part of the LGBTQIA+ community? 🏳️‍🌈

This Monday 10 June we are officially launching the LGBTQIA+ Alumni Network. 🥳

If you are in London and would like to join us on campus for this event then it's not too late to register!

This event is being held in partnership with LSE Careers and LSE Generate with an entrepreneurship focus. You'll have the chance to hear from alumni entrepreneurs , speed network, celebrate LGBTQIA+ identities and socialise over drinks and canapes.

Register and find out more ➡️ https://ow.ly/KhtV50SaAU4

“In addition to the benefits that volunteering can have on your current LSE experience, I’d like to inspire folks to realize the longer term benefits of building volunteering into the routines of your life. Because I started volunteering when I was student, it continues to be a responsibility I take seriously in my life today. Building the pattern and learning the rewards early meant I continue to seek out fun and rewarding opportunities to donate my time."

To celebrate , the LSE Volunteer Centre is sharing stories and advice from alumni who volunteered while at LSE!

Read their stories
➡️ https://ow.ly/KhEO50S8gck

How can we challenge power and remedy social and environmental problems?

Join experts from the Marshall Institute, Kerryn Krige and Jonathan Roberts as they teach you five key ways you can challenge and reshape power dynamics.

📅 Thursday 13 June
⏰ 12.00pm to 1.00pm BST
🎟️ https://ow.ly/Y1pu50S892P..

It's !

This is a time when we like to say a big thank you to our alumni volunteers. Our volunteers help in so many ways, including:

Running our alumni groups and networks 👋
Providing advice and encouragement to current students and recent graduates 🤝
Volunteering for LSE Careers 💼
Advocating for LSE around the world 📣

Find out the stories behind some of our volunteers
➡️ https://ow.ly/INbg50S6CP0

How does the media affect the mood of the nation?

Dr Omar Hammoud-Gallego talks about his research in collaboration with the University of Cambridge which tracked polarisation throughout the pandemic.

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Can the media change our feelings about democracy?  | LSE Research The media plays a major role in influencing public opinion. This can lead to greater polarisation, but can media coverage also have a uniting effect? New research by Omar Hammoud-Gallego explores the relationship between what is printed in the press and how we feel about democracy.

How did the BBC end up being accused of bias towards the privileged and the ruling elites?

How did the Trump administration capture The Voice of America?

Join Alan Rusbridger, editor of Prospect Magazine, as he discusses authoritarian populism and media freedom with LSE academics for .

📅 Tuesday 11 June
⏰ 5.00pm to 6.00pm BST
🎟️ https://ow.ly/v1Ok50S3T0r..

"The lack of progression of women to the most senior roles in financial and professional services is a major factor contributing to the gender pay gap. We are going backwards, but I am not surprised. For progress to be made there needs to be a bigger shift towards recognising that diversity is good for business. There also needs to be significant investment in upskilling managers to become inclusive leaders recognising that leading diverse teams is a skill. Without it, I will be giving the same quote 10 years from now."

Dr Grace Lordan, Founding Director of TII and Associate Professor

LSE research has found that the gender pay gap has widened since the pandemic, with women only making up 19.4% of top earners - in comparison to 19.7% pre-pandemic. 😔

Yesterday we were delighted to confer an honorary doctorate to alumna Safeena Husain (BSc Economic History 1995). 😊

Safeena is Founder and Board Member of Educate Girls - a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to education for girls in rural India. The organisation has mobilised 1.8 million girls for school enrolment and has recieved accolades such as the Transforming India Award as well as recognition from the World Bank, USAID and King Charles.

Safeena joined our President and Vice Chancellor Larry Kramer yesterday for an event in the Shaw Library where she discussed her work saying, "I truly believe that we women will not be equal unless that last girl has equality. That is why we have to ensure that every girl accesses her right to an education.’’

🔜 Only two weeks to go until begins!

Don't miss the chance to hear from expert speakers on how power and politics shape our world.

All events are free 🎟️ Join us in person and online from 10-15 June 👇

https://www.lse.ac.uk/Events/LSE-Festival/2024

What does new Personal Status Law mean for Saudi Arabian women?

Our Religion and Global Society blog discusses what advances have been made for women's rights in the Kingdom. ⬇️

Women’s rights and the new Personal Status Law in Saudi Arabia Two years ago the new Personal Status Law was codified, introducing default guidelines for marriage, divorce, and child custody in Saudi Arabia, and changing the relationship between law and Sharia councils. Beata Polok and Zubair Abbasi explain the implications of the law.

A shining city on a hill or fading empire? What will be America's place in the world in the 21st century?

Listen to this collaboration between LSEIQ and LSE Phelan US Centre’s podcast, The Ballpark where they discuss the future of the USA. ⬇️

Will the US remain the world’s superpower? | LSE iQ and The Ballpark podcast A shining city on a hill. America the beautiful. The United States has long been mythologised as the land of dreams and opportunity. And since the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s it has…

Research by Dr Chmielewska-Szlajfer has found that tabloids are using their comments sections to ensure their coverage follows their audience's zeitgeist. 🕵️

Is this the key to why tabloids seem to so accurately predict the political mood?

discusses. ⬇️

Why online tabloids are good at predicting the public’s political mood | LSE Research Don’t dismiss online tabloids as political news sources – their mix of celebrity, politics and comment sections helps them align with the political mood of the public, argues Helena Chmielewska-Szlajfer in a new book.

A South-Vietnamese student discussed the Vietnam War 1967 in the Beaver.

Remember that the Beaver archive is available online with the collection stretching as far back as 1949!

See the full 1967 edition here. ➡️ https://ow.ly/ljWh50RU2Gs

We're number one in London in the Complete University Guide 2025! 🎉

Our new President and Vice Chancellor Larry Kramer has welcomed the news saying:

"It is the great work our community does that maintains the School’s reputation and makes it the exciting and intellectually challenging place it is." ☺️

LSE ranked top university in London LSE has once again been ranked as the top London university in the Complete University Guide 2025, retaining this ranking for the thirteenth consecutive year

The UK General Election is on! 🗳

We thought it would appropriate for today's to look back on your prediction for the 2019 election.😅

Who do you expect to come out on top on July 5? Let us know! 💬

Last week we asked: Who do you think will win the December election?

Well, the votes are in! 🖐

We'll see if you called it on the 13th of December. 🗓😬

Join our LSE Festival Family Day on Saturday 15 June for hands-on activities! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

The day includes:

🎨 Make your own leaflets, posters and tote bags inspired by the LSE collection
💭 Enjoy a story making workshop using craft, drawing and tactile exploration
🖌️ Face painting throughout the day

Sign up now ➡️ https://ow.ly/boZG50RRphl

Dr Shailey Gokhale was working with the Indian Ministry of Health when she decided to pursue a degree in Global Health Policy at LSE. Thanks to the Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme, Shailey was able to receive scholarship support for her studies. ❤️

“Pursuing a master’s course after working for so many years, leaving our job, is quite a difficult decision to take. But when the scholarship came into the picture, it actually took care if a lot of the financial hardships I was facing. It was a dream of my entire family for somebody to go and pursue a course at LSE, stay in London and see the life in the UK. I think getting the scholarship was one of the happiest moments for me and my family. The courses at LSE are crafted in a way that they help students to understand their own countries in a much better way. With the knowledge that I’m gaining through this degree, I can actually go back and help my own country to draft policies in a much better way. If I have to say one thing to the donors who are supporting scholarships at LSE, I would say a big thank you. These scholarships are helping students from low- and middle-income countries realise their dream."

Dr Shailey Gokhale
MSc in Global Health Policy 2024

Meet Emily Bush - our new Alumni and Supporter Experience Manager who is based at the Alumni Centre! ⬇️

Hello! 👋

My name is Emily and I manage the Alumni and Supporter Experience Team. The team is on hand to help with any questions you have on how to stay involved with LSE. You will normally spot me here at the Centre, or at many of our events or activities.

I have been enjoying working in the Centre, getting to meet you all and welcoming you back to campus. I love hearing stories that our visitors share of their time at LSE. I also really enjoy getting to know our regulars who use the coworking space frequently; a sense of community has really built up at the Centre and it’s a great place to work and connect!

I hope to see you at the Alumni Centre soon! 😀

ℹ️: Where to find our Alumni Centre https://ow.ly/GlWq50RJyKj
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Alumna Safeena Husain is founder of Educate Girls, a non- profit organisation which seeks to ensure that girls in the remotest parts of India have access to education.

In an event hosted by our Marshall Institute, Safeena will discuss child marriage, poverty, health and climate change with our President and Vice-Chancellor Larry Kramer.

📆 Wednesday 29 May 2024
⏰ 6.30pm to 8.00pm
🎟️ https://ow.ly/4f0950RJZbw