LSE: Public lectures and events

Contributor(s): Ali Allawi, Professor Shiping Tang | The problem of economic development in the Global South remains as important as ever. For centuries thinkers have tried to explain why some countries grow rich while others remain poor, with varied success. Ali Allawi and Shiping Tang will debate current development strategies in the developing world. Our speakers will address key issues in development thought, including the role of neoliberalism, institutions and other major factors in generating long-term economic growth. In particular they will focus on how globalisation, the rise of China and rising inequalities have altered strategies of economic development in the 21st century.Featured image (used in source code with watermark added): Photo by Ann via Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/silver-globe-figurine-in-a-studio-22669713/

David Spiegelhalter, Emeritus Professor of Statistics at the University of Cambridge, dives into the fascinating world of uncertainty. He explores how we quantify luck and ignorance in decision-making, using engaging anecdotes and real-life examples. Discover the surprising ways probability affects our lives, from card shuffling to the odds of shared birthdays. Spiegelhalter highlights the importance of acknowledging uncertainty in data analysis and how a balanced approach to risk can enhance our understanding of chance and enhance decision-making.

Contributor(s): Steven Erlanger, Dr Elizabeth Ingleson, Professor Anand Menon, Professor Leslie Vinjamuri | What will the next US president’s strategic priorities be internationally? What are the implications for Europe and the rest of the world? In this roundtable discussion, leading experts on world affairs take stock of the international challenges and opportunities facing the new administration in America.Featured image (used in source code with watermark added): Photo by Kaboompics.comvia Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/flattering-flag-of-united-states-of-america-4386429/

Contributor(s): Dr Max Steuer | Join us to hear Max Steuer talk about his new book, Dangerous Guesswork In Economic Policy.The book is about the need for, and the benefits of, drawing on specialist skills in formulating economic policy. Some issues can be addressed through common sense and first-hand experience. Few matters involving use of resources in the NHS, defence policy, education, housing and a host of other issues, such as high-speed rail, are of that kind. Recognising the need is the first step. With the best will in the world, drawing on knowledge is not easy. Dangerous Guesswork provides a sophisticated overview of the working of the discipline.

Contributor(s): Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia | Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim visited LSE to deliver a lecture on Malaysia’s global strategy in an uncertain era. The event officially opened the Malaysia Auditorium at LSE and was the inaugural lecture of the Malaysia Lecture Series (an annual lecture series to be held in the Malaysia Auditorium and run by the SU Malaysia Club).

Contributor(s): Grace Blakeley, Dr Michael Vaughan | Join us to hear UK commentator and economic thinker Grace Blakeley talk about her latest book, Vulture Capitalism. In the book, Grace Blakeley takes on the world’s most powerful corporations by showing how the causes of our modern crises are the result of the economic system we have built – “a toxic melding of public and private power”. It’s not a broken system; it’s working exactly as planned. It can’t be fixed. It must be replaced.

Contributor(s): Professor Gwyn Bevan, Dr Kate Bayliss, Jo Bateman | This episode of LSE iQ explores a national scandal: widespread illegal sewage dumping by our privatised water companies, and why they are all under criminal investigation. Speakers: Professor Gwyn Bevan, Dr Kate Bayliss, Jo Bateman Research links: How Did Britain Come to This? A century of systemic failures of governance by Gwyn Bevan: https://press.lse.ac.uk/site/books/m/10.31389/lsepress.hdb/ Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated: The persistence of neoliberalism in Britain by Kate Bayliss et al, European Journal of Social Theory: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13684310241241800 LSE iQ is a university podcast by the London School of Economics and Political Science. We’re keen to find out more about our audience so we can better tailor our content to suit your interests. With this in mind, we would be grateful if you could please take the time to fill out this short survey and share your feedback.

Join Erik Hurst, an expert in economics at the University of Chicago, Chrisanthi Avgerou, a professor of information systems at LSE, and Noam Yuchtman from Oxford, as they delve into the evolving landscape of work in the age of automation. They explore the historical parallels with past technological shifts, the potential for job losses versus market adaptation, and the crucial role of upskilling in a gig economy. The discussion highlights how AI could influence everything from creative industries to economic inequality, prompting a critical look at labor dynamics and future workforce strategies.

Contributor(s): Dr Victor Agboga, Professor Mukulika Banerjee, Professor Sara Hobolt, Professor Peter Trubowitz | This year billions of people around the world have been to the polls. What have been the surprises and takeaways from these election results? Our panel of LSE researchers explore some of the issues that have come to the fore in this bumper year for international politics, along with the key outcomes and implications for the world in 2025.Featured image (used in source code with watermark added): Photo by Mikhail Nilov via Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/vote-badges-on-person-s-fingers-8846624/

Contributor(s): Tembeka Ngcukaitobi | The lecture will explore South Africa's complex relationship with the idea of human rights. Drawing from the struggle to end apartheid, the lecture will explore the connections between the struggle for human rights and the idea of self-determination. While both ideas are local, the lecture will show that they are also global. South Africa remains a feature of the global world order, trying, as one of its most talented sons, Steve Bantu Biko once said "to give the world a more human face".