Volume Thirty-One • Number Three • 12 May 2003 - News & Views - Press and Information Office

Thursday 15 May is Learning at Work Day and a key part of this year's event will be the launch of the new LSE Diversity Toolkit.

The Toolkit has been developed by the Personnel Division in partnership with the Grassroots Group, a consultancy specialising in diversity and equality. Over the next month, each member of staff will be given, or have access to, their own personal copy of the Toolkit which has three core objectives to:

Operating in a city where 22.4 per cent of the population describe themselves as coming from an ethnic minority, and with students coming to us from 150 countries around the world, the School's success in the future is likely to depend increasingly on its ability to encourage everybody - whoever they are and whatever they do - to achieve their full potential.

The Toolkit represents a commitment by LSE to open up debate about how we can make this happen and take equality beyond a matter of simply complying with the law to something that really makes a difference. For everyone to take part in that debate, we need first to establish a basic level of knowledge that is shared by all of us and this is what it is hoped the Toolkit will do.

There will be local briefings around the School in late May and early June but to mark the Toolkit's launch there will be two events on 15 May: a breakfast briefing starting at 9.45am in the Senior Common Room, which will be attended by Professor Joyce Hill from the Equality Challenge Unit of the UCEA; and an afternoon event attended by Lord Ouseley, the former chair of the Commission for Racial Equality in the Vera Anstey Room at 3pm.

All are welcome at both events, and you can book a place by emailing Ian Darker in the Personnel Division at: i.darker@lse.ac.uk.

LSE was the first London higher education institution to get involved in Learning at Work Day back in 1999. Since then, the event has grown bigger each year. Events promoted include prize quizzes, special brainfood catering menus, tours and walks, as well as hundreds of job swaps and shadows.

For this special Fifth anniversary, the Staff Development Unit are offering their typically eclectic mix of briefings, promotions, live activities and events. These include: LSE Treasure Hunt 2003; lunchtime walks which take in the history of areas around the School campus; and the chance to have a Managing your Pressure Workout!

From FSA to LSE

Howard Davies, who becomes LSE Director in October, gave a talk in the Peaccock Theatre last week about his current role as chairman of the Financial Services Authority.

The lecture was jointly organised by the LSESU Business Society, and the Banking and Finance Society. Professor David Webb of the Financial Markets Group chaired the event.

Report on the Governance Project

A Lighter Touch: an evaluation of the Governance Project
Sarabajaya Kumar and Kevin Nunan

At a time of unprecedented interest in civil society and community involvement, there is a perception that the governance of new and emerging community groups and small voluntary organisations is unsatisfactory. The Governance Project explored how best to strengthen the governance of these types of organisations.

A Lighter Touch describes how the outcome of the Project was evaluated and offers a series of recommendations for those working in the field.

The project found that there is no universally accepted and agreed definition of 'governance'. This leads to a lack of clarity, as the governance of a group or organisation may be viewed in server, sometimes contradictory, ways. Recent government policy around best value, neighbourhood renewal, social cohesion, and social entrepreneurship has amplified these contradictions.

Copies of the report can be obtained from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, priced £11.95.

Academics abroad

Seán Boyle, senior fellow, LSE Health and Social Care, together with Julian Pratt, visiting research associate, Operational Research, presented a paper at the UCLA conference on Complex Human Systems held at Lake Arrowhead, California, in March.

Lunch hour concert

Tanya Milanova's performances have met with rave reviews around Europe. She is a major prize-winner and has been described as one of the most captivating violinists of her generation.

For her Shaw Library appearance on Thursday 15 May, 1pm, she will perform with Uwe Mapschke (piano) a programme of Mozart, Sonata in e minor, Franck, Sonata for Violin and Piano in A, and Paganini, Mose Variations.

Public lectures

In this lecture, alumnus Peter Bart, editor in chief of Variety, will be launching his new book, Shoot Out: surviving fame and (mis)fortune in Hollywood. Co-authored with Peter Guber, former president of Sony Entertainment and founder and chair of Mandalay Entertainment, the book outlines their guidelines for developing a new film idea and guiding it to fruition.

A look at the issues that complicate innovative political or business decision in a society of risk and uncertainty, using as examples the decisions taken by the Allianz insurance company after 11 September and the issue of the introduction of genetically modified organisms in a context such as the north of Italy.

Piero Bassetti is president of Alta Scuola di Economia e Relazioni Internazionali, of Globus et Locus, and of the Fondazione Giannino Bassetti.

The spectre of deflation is once again haunting the corridors of central banks and finance ministries. While preventing or combating deflation poses difficulties not present in combating inflation, it can be prevented and, if it has not taken hold, overcome using conventional instruments of monetary and fiscal policy. Unconventional monetary and fiscal measure are also available.

Willem Buiter is chief economist and special adviser to the president at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. He has held academic appointments at Princeton, Bristol, LSE, Yale and Cambridge and was a member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England from 1997 to 2000.

Judge Higgins scholarship

Judge Rosalyn Higgins DBE QC will be the guest of honour at the launch of a new PhD scholarship that bears her name.

The first scholarship student will start at LSE in October, and donations have enabled an endowment to be created in permanent recognition of Judge Higgins' contribution to International Law while at LSE.

Rosalyn Higgins, Professor of International Law at LSE from 1981-1995, has written many books and articles, including: The Development of International Law through the Political Organs of the United Nations, and Problems and Process: international law and how we use it.

If you would like to attend the launch on Monday 19 May, 6.30pm, in the Staff Common Room, please contact Nat Holtham, n.holtham@lse.ac.uk or 020 7955 6756.

Consumers and enterprise

Last month, Shoshana Zuboff, Charles Edward Wilson, Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, and James Maxmin, former CEO of Volvo-UK, Thorn Home Electronics, and Laura Ashley PLC, gave a public lecture on The Support Economy: re-inventing capitalism?

Professor Zuboff and Dr Maxmin argued that there is a chasm that has grown up over the last fifty years between the new, richer psychological individualism of consumers and a rigid enterprise logic geared only to mass consumption. All the hype about business re-engineering and customer orientation simply hides the rigidity and backwardness of the extant enterprise logic.

The speakers described the emergence of a new form of distributed capitalism, based upon the individuation of consumption, which they predicted will produce a new enterprise logic to replace the current managerial capitalism. This new episode of capitalism will be able to realise the value embedded in relationships which is unavailable to the traditional corporation.

The lecture coincided with the UK launch of Zuboff and Maxmin's latest book, The Support Economy. Videos of the lecture and seminar will soon be available on the web at: http://is.lse.ac.uk/events/esrcseminars/.

IT Services/Library training courses

Library: information skills training for all
No booking. All classes in Library Training Room.

Temporary work

The Social Enterprise Coalition is seeking to employ a temporary assistant to assist the chief executive. Duties include: organising meetings and events, taking notes, responding to enquiries and co-ordinating a member's newsletter. £280 for a 35 hour week.

For further details and how apply, please contact Jean Whitehead, Social Enterprise Coalition, 54 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4RP, tel: 020 7968 4924, fax: 020 7968 4922, email: jean.whitehead@socialenterprise.org.uk. Also see the website: www.socialenterprise.org.uk.

Research scholarship

LSE Health and Social Care are inviting applications for a three-year scholarship intended to allow a candidate to register for a PhD at LSE.

The research should focus on a topic within the fields of health policy, health services research, health economics and social policy in Greece. The value of the award in 2003-4 covers tuition fees and there may also be some funding available for maintenance costs.

Candidates will be expected to have obtained an MA/MSc in a relevant subject before commencing the PhD.

To apply, please send your CV, including details of two referees, and submit a research proposal of four to five pages to Dr Elias Mossialos, LSE Health and Social Care, J413. Deadline for applications is 15 July. It is expected that the successful candidate will be informed by the end of August.

Your privacy

Last year, the Home Office tried to allow various public authorities access to everybody's phone numbers, email addresses, web site visits, etc. This caused a huge controversy as did the argument about government powers to force telephone companies and internet service providers to keep copies of such communications data.

The Home Office is now consulting over both issues before taking further action. An open meeting, Scrambling for Safety 6, is being held on Wednesday 14 May, 1.30-5.30pm, Hong Kong Theatre. Come along and discuss your views with representatives from government, industry and human rights organisations. For further details see: www.fipr.org/sfs6.html. Limited space so please email: sfs6@fipr.org if you would like to attend.

Click on CARR

The CARR website, www.lse.ac.uk/Depts/carr/, was relaunched on 1 May with a new improved look. While the site is even more user-friendly, it has maintained its original content with easy access to all working papers.

Among its many new functions, the website keeps users informed of the latest research and risk regulation expertise in CARR, and provides access to an array of online publications.

As always, all issues of Risk&Regulation are accessible online, including the brand new edition on regulatory failure. The fifth issue of Risk&Regulation features: Where the Ivory Towers Meet the Whitehall Village, by Professor Ron Amann, Exam Howlers or Accidents Waiting to Happen?, by Professor Brian Hogwood, and When Government Neglects Risk, Dr Henry Rothstein's study on regulatory neglect of occupational exposure to radon.

If you would like a printed copy of Risk&Regulation, please email: risk@lse.ac.uk.

Workshop

The Social Exclusion and Europe workshop will be held on Wednesday 28 May, R505, starting with a buffet lunch at 1pm and will feature Kitty Stewart on Measuring Social Inclusion in Europe's Regions, Deborah Mabbett, Definitions of Disability in Europe, Christina Behrendt: Social Assistance and Poverty Alleviation in Germany, Sweden, and the UK, and Holly Sutherland: The Sensitivity of Poverty Rates to Macro-level Changes in the European Union.

For further information, please contact Tom Sefton, ext 7613, email: t.a.sefton@lse.ac.uk.

Seeking your opinion

Are you an overseas student? Do you listen to BBC World Service news programmes? BBC World Service Radio is looking for non-native English speaking listeners to take part in research groups in the first week of June.

The paid discussion groups, which will take place in central London, are designed to give the World Service a better idea of what its listeners think of their news and current affairs programmes.

To find out more, call: 020 7514 9952 and leave a message with your name and number, or email: listenerfeedback@bbc.co.uk.

Disability equality

And so we come towards the end of the first academic year after the introduction of SENDA, Part IV of the Disability Discrimination Act.

This legislation requires all higher education institutions to ensure their processes, systems, publicity materials and teaching programmes do not place students with disabilities at a substantial disadvantage, compared with other students.

We have reported regularly in this column on the progress the School is making in assessing and implementing the new responsibilities. At the summer term meeting of the Disability Consultative Forum, held on Wednesday, 7 May, we looked at how successful we have been in this and what tasks are outstanding.

This will be a busy term with a News&Views special on the School Action Plan for Disability Equality, including recommendations from the outside auditors and the Circles Network project team will continue to develop the system of peer support for students with disabilities.

A major concern is the growing number of current students who have developed a repetitive strain injury during their studies and are unable to write or type for long periods.

During the exam period, the exam office will make over 500 special arrangements to accommodate a wide range of disabilities, as described in the individual student support agreements (ISSAs), available for students who contact the Disability Office.

Noticeboard

Library in the news
Look out for the latest Microsoft MSN Messenger print ads - they were shot in the Library.

The Chorley Lecture
The annual Chorley Lecture will be given by Bob Hepple, Professor of Law, Cambridge University and master of Clare College, who will talk on Race and Law in Fortress Europe. The lecture will take place on Wednesday 11 June, 5.30pm, in the Shaw Library. Admission is free without ticket. For further information contact Teresa Edwards, email: t.edwards@lse.ac.uk.

Small ads

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To rent: delightful flat in newly refurbished countryside house, northern Italy by the Garda Lake. Two mins from Peschiera. By train 15 mins from Verona, 1hr 40 mins from Venice. £50 per day. Sleeps up to 4 people (negotiable if less than 4). Tel Simona: 00 39 04564 01823 after 7pm.

For sale: spacious, well-proportioned, airy second-floor mansion flat in tree-lined street, Holloway N7 (Piccadilly Line 5 mins). Many original features. Large reception and kitchen/dining room, two beds and bathroom. New CH and carpeting/flooring. VGC and low outgoings. Unrestricted street parking. £260K. Tel: 020 7607 8627, email: j.stockdale@lse.ac.uk.

To let: delightful, self-contained, fully equipped one bedroom flat in Georgian square adjacent to Imperial War Museum. Just over 1 mile from LSE. Suit couple/single person. £200 p/w (ono) plus utilities. Tel: 020 7735 3116, fax: 020 7587 1681.

Holiday sun? 2-3 person fully equipped pool-side apartment, Peurto del Carmen, Lanzarote. Weekly (or longer) lets. £150p/w, Thurs-Thurs. Return flights from Gatwick £120+. Details and availability from Mike Reddin, email: m.j.reddin-alumni@lse.ac.uk or mr@lse.u-net.com, tel: 020 8544 0324.

P/t work: 4 hours p/w, with possible extension for third year/postgraduate. Essential: understanding of economic theory, finance and social policy issues, able to write clearly from statistical data, good communication and keyboard skills. Good salary to be discussed. Call G Barua or Jean, Social Vision, on 020 7586 0403.

To rent: two-bed spacious family home in NW5 for July and August. Private entrance and back garden. Sunny kitchen/dining room, sitting room with period decor. Buses to Oxford Street, British Library, the City. Nearest tubes Kentish Town, Tufnell Park. £300 p/w incl bills (excl phone). Tel: 020 7485 6652, email: gospodi@hotmail.com.

LSE News & Views is published every Monday during term by the Press & Information Office. Printed by Reprographics Department. The aim is to provide a means of communication for all members of the School as well as news and information about people and activities. Articles, news and photographs are welcome. Contributions should be sent to Toni Sym, Press & Information Office, 6th Floor, Tower 1, to arrive NO LATER THAN ONE WEEK before publication date. All personal ads carry a standard charge of £2 for up to 50 words.

Volume Thirty-One • Number Three • 12 May 2003

Launch of LSE Diversity Toolkit