Volume Thirty • Number Seven • 24 February 2003 - News & Views - Press and Information Office

People's reactions to new genetic technologies in reproduction, to genetic therapies and genetic screening, to new 'smart drugs' to re-shape personality, and to dilemmas of choice in making life and ending life - these will all be put under the microscope with the launch of BIOS.

BIOS (which takes its name from the Greek word for life) is a new LSE research centre focusing on social, political, legal, economic and ethical aspects of biomedicine and biotechnology.

Director of the new centre is Nikolas Rose, Professor of Sociology and convenor of the Department of Sociology. He said: 'LSE has a worldwide reputation for the quality of its research in economics, political and other social sciences, and for its global concerns. This Centre will bring these qualities to bear upon perhaps the most important developments in our contemporary world - the re-engineering of life itself by developments in science and medicine.

'BIOS will analyse the way bioscience, biomedicine and biotechnology affect societies today and over future decades, and the ways in which they are re-shaping our ideas of ourselves as human beings, and are impacting on national and global inequalities. The implications for public policy in developed and developing countries are wide-ranging, and affect not just health care, but also economic development, family forms, regulation, insurance. And we also need to be able to understand the factors shaping scientific and medical advances and the social responsibilities of doctors and scientists.

'Whilst the press has focused on some high profile issues such as cloning and genetic modification of organisms, we will also study crucial matters that have attracted less attention, such as tissue banking, the trade in organs and the pharmaceutical industry. We also have a particular interest in developments in the brain sciences and psycho-pharmacology, and are developing exciting joint research in this area with the Institute of Psychiatry in London. We also aim to research the resurgence of the possibilities of bio-terrorism - not only the actual risks and policies, but also the ways in which fears about bio-terrorism are re-shaping public anxieties and insecurities, and themselves leading to significant changes in public attitudes.'

BIOS has two associate directors: Dr Patricia Spallone, who formerly headed the Biomedical Ethics Programme of the Wellcome Trust, and Professor George Gaskell of LSE's Department of Social Psychology and director of the LSE Methodology Institute. BIOS will be launched formally at an event in the Summer term but more information is available at its website: www.lse.ac.uk/collections/BIOS/

Rag Week

The Students' Union Rag Week gets underway this week with a variety of different events. Rag Week is headed by the Union's entertainments officer, Jimmy Baker, who hopes that this year's Rag will be the best ever.

Some events will raise money for charity. These include a London-wide pub crawl, a Miss LSE competition (purely drag!) and a sponsored abseil down the Old Building. Other events include a poker tournament and a quiz night, and special t-shirts will be sold throughout the week.

The main charity the SU is supporting this year is cancer research, with support also being given to a school for disabled children in our borough and to Khandel-Light, a charity which trains health and aid workers in India. If any readers wish to get involved please contact Jimmy, email: su.ents@lse.ac.uk.

Winter School success

LSE alumna Cherie Booth QC returned to the School last month to present certificates to London sixthformers attending Winter Schools for budding lawyers and financiers.

The one week long LSE Law and Society Winter School was supported by the Sutton Trust and the College of Law. The Goldman Sachs Foundation supported similar one-week Finance and Our Future and Maths/Risk Winter Schools. Both the Sutton Trust and the Goldman Sachs Foundation are strong supporters of LSE's comprehensive widening participation programmes - in addition to supporting the Winter Schools, both also support LSE's Saturday Schools.

In total, 100 students, most aged between 16-18, attended the Winter Schools which are for London students whose parents have not been to university. The aim is to widen interest and participation in these professions among a broader range of the community.

The courses themselves included lectures on freedom and citizenship, given by many LSE academics. One day was spent on pro bono work at the College of Law. Practising professionals spoke about career options within the legal profession, including a leading solicitor, a junior barrister, and a policeman.

The students were enthusiastic about the experience. Yordanos Mehbrahtu, 17, from City and Islington College, said: 'I've always wanted to be a criminal lawyer, maybe working in the UK and in America, but I wasn't quite sure how to do it. Speaking to the lawyers at the Winter School gave me an extra incentive and made me realise I have to buckle down and get my qualifications. It was also good for my time management skills, and very mentally stimulating.'

In July, about half the law students will go on to a shorter summer school course at the College of Law. There they will shadow practising lawyers and see other aspects of legal work.

The Winter Law School was a pilot scheme established with the backing of Ms Booth, the Attorney General Lord Goldsmith QC, and Professor Nigel Savage, chief executive of the College of Law. The project is being jointly sponsored by the Sutton Trust, the charity established in 1997 by the business entrepreneur philanthropist Peter Lampl to provide educational opportunities for less privileged youngsters, and by the College of Law which is the UK's largest organisation for postgraduates in legal studies.

Dr Julian Fulbrook, lecturer in law at LSE, said: 'LSE has already worked with the Sutton Trust on introductory courses in Finance, and on Saturday Schools to raise students' academic attainment, but not before with such vocational input as will come from the College of Law. The students were drawn from the London boroughs of Newham, Lewisham, Hammersmith and Fulham and Tower Hamlets, with which we already have close contacts.'

Harvest for the world

Three LSE economists are part of an exciting new venture in the analysis of economic development. Timothy Besley, professor of economics and political science, is a founding board member of the Bureau for Research in the Economic Analysis of Development (BREAD). In addition, Dr Maitreesh Ghatak, reader in economics, has been elected in the first batch of senior fellows and Dr Robin Burgess, lecturer in economics, has been elected among the first batch of junior fellows. BREAD fellows are leading researchers in development economics around the world.

BREAD aims to be the leading organisation for promoting first rate economic analysis of development problems. The School's involvement in BREAD is part of the continuing prominent role that LSE has played in the economic analysis of development problems.

Many leading figures in this area have been at the School including Nobel Laureates W Arthur Lewis and Amartya Sen, Lord Bauer (the 2002 recipient of the Milton Friedman prize for Advancing Liberty) and current World Bank senior vice president and chief economist, Nick Stern.

Public lectures

Peter Mandelson
From Kennedy to Blair: the changing role of political professionals

This series of lectures is a unique opportunity to hear leading political figures: what they believe in, what drives them, what they have achieved, what their skills are and what the future holds for both politics and political campaigning.

Governments have an obligation to look after the rights of their citizens. But how are these rights enforced and what are the problems faced when enforcing these rights?

John Tusa
Respondent: Professor Richard Sennett, LSE
Theory Animating the Concrete: the ghost in the machine

John Tusa will talk about the role of performing art centres in the cultural life of the city, focusing on the Barbican Centre in London where he has been managing director since 1995.

Both Foucault and Goffman published works on madness and its institutions. Goffman analysed how roles are constituted in face-to-face interactions within an institutional setting. Foucault's archaeologies established the pre-conditions for, and the mutations between, successive institutional forms. Ian Hacking argues that both approaches are essential for understanding what he calls 'making up people'.

Peter Bourne
The Cuban Health System: its global impact and the lessons to be learned

Among his many appointments, Peter Bourne has been an assistant secretary general of the UN and special assistant to US President Jimmy Carter for health issues.

People want to be happy but what makes them happy? How can society best promote happiness? These lectures will review evidence from economics, psychology, sociology and neuroscience and draw conclusions about what priorities would serve us better than those currently pursued.

What is Happiness and Are We Getting Happier?
Monday 3 March, 6pm, Old Theatre

What Causes Happiness? Rethinking Public Economics
Tuesday 4 March, 6pm, Old Theatre

IT Services/Library training courses

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

Disability equality

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) came into force on 2 December 1996. It protects disabled people from discrimination in employment including recruitment, training, promotion and dismissal. Anyone whose mental or physical impairment has a substantial adverse effect on normal day-to-day activities that lasts, or is expected to last, at least 12 months is protected under the Act. Employers have a duty to look at 'reasonable adjustments', which would overcome the effects of a disability.

The School's Council agreed a policy on disability on 25 June 2002. Over the last year, staff have been working on a DDA Action Plan to put the policy into practice and finite targets will be completed in March. A copy of the Action Plan is on the Disability Office website at: www.lse.ac.uk/resources/disabilityStatement/.

Some of the areas of the Action Plan are new to the School, ie, the Practical Guide to Disability Management, available from 31 March. Contact Gail Keeley, ext 6672, for a copy. Other targets are ongoing, ie, improving interview rooms and staff development.

To ensure the policy is not static, regular surveys on an anonymised basis will take place to identify areas for future action plans. Before summer term, you will be able to complete the first Disability for Staff survey, either online at the Disability Office website or in paper form from Pardip Thandi, ext 6568, who will send you a copy. Please take part whether you are disabled or not.

Debate

Robert Jones; Sukhdev Sandhu; David Thompson; Alexander Walker; Matt Wolf
Britflicks: over-hyped or under-rated?

Are British critics especially hard on British films? Are they over-indulgent, or do they usually get it just right?

Ticketed. Media Group members and students free, £5 all others. Call ext 6757 or email: n.holtham@lse.ac.uk.

Opposites attract?

The AHRB (Arts and Humanities Research Board), in collaboration with the Arts Council of England (ACE) is providing artists and scientists with a range of funding opportunities. The Arts and Science Research fellowships scheme will support individuals working in the creative and performing arts who want to engage in collaborative work with natural and engineering scientists. Geoffrey Crossick, AHRB's chief executive, said: 'Many of the most exciting areas of research lie between and across the boundaries of 'traditional' disciplines or subjects.'

APTOS focus group

If you use APTOS regularly and would like to be on the APTOS panel, please email Stuart Mitchell at: s.p.mitchell@lse.ac.uk, by 3 March.

As a group member, we would like you to gather opinions and comments from your department on the functions APTOS offers and to feed back the group's discussions to your colleagues. The panel will meet twice a year and its first meeting will be in early to mid-March.

TLA revue

There will be a Teaching, Learning and Assessment (TLA) Committee review of educational provision for the following students in DESTIN:

This is your opportunity to express your views on the teaching and facilities you receive. Refreshments will be provided.

Hellenic Observatory public debates

The future of the EU's role and capability in defence and security matters is the focus of intense public discussion, with the crisis over Iraq highlighting tensions within the EU and NATO. A major public debate, hosted by the Hellenic Observatory and the Institute for Defence Analyses, Athens, will discuss the way forward for Europe.

The debate consists of two events being held on Tuesday 4 March. The first, at 2pm, is free but ticketed. Students should go to LSESU reception while staff should email: events@lse.ac.uk. The second, at 6pm, is free and open to all.

European Security and the New Global Challenges
Yannos Papantoniou; Minuto Rizzo; Javier Solana

The closing remarks will be given by Argiris A Fatouros, president of the Hellenic Foundation for Culture and emeritus professor at the University of Athens.

For further information on each event, email: events@lse.ac.uk or call ext 6043.

Old Building cable replacement

The Old Building will be undergoing major electricity cable replacement on Saturdays and Sundays from March to September. This will mean a number of power shutdowns. Some will only affect a small area but others will entail a complete closure of the Old Building.

Proposed dates for complete closure are: 22/23 March; 12/13 April; 2/3 August; 10 August; 13/14 September; 20/21 September. However, these dates are provisional and may change after consultation. Thank you for your patience. For more information email Andrew Dickie in Estates at a.dickie@lse.ac.uk.

Telephone fundraisers needed

The LSE Annual Fund is looking for bright, enthusiastic and articulate students to work as telephone fundraisers next term, Monday-Thursday, 6.30-9.30pm and Sundays, 5-8pm. £7.10 to start. Full training will be given, although previous fundraising, sales and/or marketing experience would be an advantage. Must be available between 5 May-31 July inclusive.

To apply, please complete the online application form at: www.lse.ac.uk/alumni, follow the Quick Link to Supporting LSE, and scroll down the page to find the application form hyperlink. Please do not send CVs as they will not be considered. Closing date for applications is 4pm on Friday 7 March. For further details, please email Mrs Ruth Stanley at: r.e.stanley@lse.ac.uk.

Noticeboard

Exam desks
If anyone has an exam desk in their office, or has seen any in other locales, could they please contact Fred Gilbert, ext 6760, email: f.gilbert@lse.ac.uk.

Book availability survey
The Library is holding its annual Course Collection Book Availability Survey, 27 February, 10am-5pm. The objective of the survey is to measure how successful the Library is in meeting users' needs. Every user will be handed a questionnaire as they enter the course collection and all completed questionnaires will be entered into the prize draw to win a £30 book token. So come along and tell us how we are doing.

Forum for European Philosophy lecture
Tuesday 25 February, 7pm. Anne Fagot-Largeault: The Concepts of 'Health and Normality'. Entrance fee: £5 (free to Forum members with relevant ID). For details on how to become a member please email: c.lowe@lse.ac.uk.

Small ads

Wanted to rent: flat for two, for US professor and LSE alumnus, for July. If you have a suitable flat available, please contact Joel Trachtman, email: joel.trachtman@tufts.edu.

Flatshare (female only): master en suite room, 16'x10' and one single room both £400 p/m. First come, first choice. Bills negotiable. Both rooms have excellent river views. Fully furnished to high standard. About 50 mins to central London/LSE. Closest tube: Rotherhithe/ Bermondsey. Visitors welcome but no boyfriend stayover. References required. Call Yvonne, 020 7394 9069.

Word processing/transcription: APA Secretarial provides an efficient and professional service and a no hassle guarantee. To contact, email: apasecretarial@btinternet.com or tel: 01273 488220. Sussex based with a national reputation.

Holiday sun? Two-person (three possible) fully equipped pool-side apartment in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote. Weekly lets (or longer). £150 p/w (Thursday-Thursday). Return flights from Gatwick £120 and up. Contact Mike Reddin: m.j.reddin-alumni@lse.ac.uk or mr@lse.u-net.com, tel: 020 8544 0324 for details and availability.

Flat for sale: purpose built ground floor 1 bed flat in Bermondsey (zone two). £135k. Small garden and designated parking. 30 mins max from LSE. No timewasters. Call Anthony on 020 7252 2122.

Alpha books: books bought. All subjects considered. Buyer will collect. Call ext 7802 or 020 7737 5075.

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 • Number Seven • 24 February 2003

BIOS - a new LSE centre