Our strategy lays out the guiding principles and commitments that will help us shape the world’s future, and achieve our ambition of being the leading social science institution with the greatest global impact.
LSE opened its doors in 1895 with three rooms and 200 students. Today more than 11,000 students study for degrees at our central London campus, while more than 40,000 more learn on campus or remotely. But while much has changed, one thing remains constant: our commitment to the original vision of LSE, as ‘a community of people and ideas, founded to know the causes of things, for the betterment of society’.
As we look to the future, we do it as an internationally renowned institution, with a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and public engagement in the social sciences. What happens at the School has the potential to be world-changing – and in these turbulent times, the social sciences are needed more than ever.
As a proud LSE alumna, I am incredibly honoured to have the responsibility of leading the School and helping to shape its future. I relish the opportunity for LSE to lead by example through the coming years, and to use our unique strengths to actively contribute to positive change in the world.
Minouche Shafik
LSE President, 2017 - 2023
Shape the world
See how LSE will lead by example
Our strategy is articulated through three overarching priorities each of which identifies initiatives to deliver an ambitious vision for our future.
Priority 1: Educate for Impact
We commit to working with students to provide a life-long learning opportunity, based on an enquiry-led approach to education and research. By creating a strong sense of belonging and ensuring we provide holistic support, we will equip our students with the skills, knowledge and confidence to be critical investigators, confident entrepreneurs and culturally aware agents of change.
Priority 2: Research for the World
Building on our leading position in the social sciences, we will broaden our real-world impact by forming a new generation of thought leaders, advocating for the value of the social sciences and becoming the global convenor of influential debate on critical issues. We will achieve this also by reviewing current and future partnerships, fostering collaboration internally and externally, all whilst ensuring that sustainable funding supports our research.
Research for the World strategy
Priority 3: Developing LSE for Everyone
We will establish LSE as a strong community by supporting staff, recognising and developing talent, and engaging our alumni, friends and partners so they can remain involved with the School and its mission. We will ensure we can attract and retain the best academics, researchers and professional service staff by embedding equity, diversity, inclusion and sustainability across all our processes and procedures.