Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards 2012
LSE has been nominated in the Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards 2012 in the Knowledge Exchange/Transfer category, for PPG's School-wide blog initiative. LSE has been shortlisted with 6 other institutions and the results will be announced at an awards ceremony taking place on the 21 June. [Read the full shortlist|].
[19 April 2012]
LSE bloggers divine the future of academia in European politics
Website will 'maximise' impact by bringing debate to policymakers and public.
The editor of a new multidisciplinary blog run by London School of Economics academics has argued that the medium is "fundamental" for modern-day academics and their research output.
Patrick Dunleavy, professor of political science and public policy, was speaking about the launch of the European Politics and Policy (EUROPP) blog, the central mission of which is "to increase the public understanding of social science in the contexts of European governance and policy making" across the European Union and other European countries.
LSE has been a pioneer in the academic blogosphere, and EUROPP is a continuation of its British Politics and Policy (BPP) blog, created in the run-up to the 2010 general election. Read the full article in the THE|
[19 April 2012]
LSE Public Policy Group launch the LSE Review of Books Blog
The LSE Review of Books seeks to encourage public engagement with and understanding of the social sciences, via involvement with their best written and most accessible products – books and ebooks. Read the LSE Review of Books|
[19 April 2012]
Workers' austerity concerns win concessions from IMF, finds new study
Workers in debt-ridden countries get sympathetic treatment from the International Monetary Fund, which is not the big bad wolf of popular myth, a new study suggests.
While the IMF demands reforms from countries seeking loans in times of economic crisis, the new research shows that it listens to the views of citizens, especially in democracies, and may soften the labour conditions it sets when they protest. For example, mass demonstrations in Greece during 2011 when the country took extreme austerity measures led the IMF to make compromises over wages, pensions and job numbers.
The authors of the study, published in the journal International Organization, say their findings suggest that international bodies, including the IMF, are more likely to respond to domestic politics than to constrain them.
Dr Stephanie Rickard (pictured), a lecturer in government at LSE and one of the paper's authors, said: 'Our findings suggest that democratic governments represent workers' interests at the international bargaining table and the IMF is responsive to these interests. This contradicts the conventional wisdom which assumes that international bodies can ignore domestic concerns in setting conditions for loans.' More |
[Feb 2012]
LSE Public Policy Group ranked among world's most influential think tanks
On 25 January, the LSE Public Policy Group was jointly named the world's fourth-best university think tank in a global survey. The rankings, in the annual report of the Think Tank and Civic Society Program of the University of Pennsylvania, compared more than 5,300 think tanks from 120 countries.
Think tanks were assessed on categories including their ability to produce rigorous research, contribute socially innovative ideas and to bridge the gap between policymakers and the public. Reputation among academics, peers and the media was also a factor in the outcome.
Professor Patrick Dunleavy, chair of the Public Policy Group, said: 'Our work is, by definition, about helping to develop better government and public administration so it is pleasing that the benefits the team bring to society have been recognised. Academic work must have public impact to be truly valuable.'
The foreign affairs centre LSE IDEAS was also named jointly as the world's fourth-best university think tank in the survey.
Professor Michael Cox, co-director of IDEAS, said: 'We created IDEAS four years ago to try and make a difference by infusing the best academic thinking into global debates on world affairs and it is very gratifying that others feel we've done this. I am especially pleased that this reflects the hard work put in by all our colleagues over this and past years.
Professor Arne Westad, co-director of IDEAS, said: 'Our job is just beginning though – world affairs are moving as fast as we can track them and the need for rigorous analysis and insight is greater than ever.'
The report's publishers said their main aim was to bring international recognition for the important role played by think tanks around the world
The Think Tank and Civic Society Program announced the rankings at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Full details of the report.|
[Jan 2012]