Busy year for our LSE Alumni Networks

2024 saw the launch of six new LSE Alumni Networks

It has been incredible to see how this initiative is connecting our alumni through their passions and interests all over the world. I'm particularly proud of our inclusion networks which ensure that all our alumni are part of LSE’s community.

Shontae Romain, (BSc Social Policy & Sociology 2003), Alumni Networks Manager

Two people chat in the Alumni Centre as people mingle in the background

Aiming to connect alumni around the world, these Alumni Networks have been designed to support LSE graduates in building professional and inclusive communities, in areas they are passionate about.

With these new Alumni Networks launching, we now have eight in total. They are:

  • The Banking and Finance Alumni Network
  • The Black Alumni Network
  • The Economics Alumni Network
  • The LGBTQ+ Alumni Network
  • The Policy Alumni Network
  • The Real Estate Alumni Network
  • The Sustainability Alumni Network
  • The Women's Alumni Network

Let’s take a look at some of the fantastic engagement activity that has taken place among our Alumni Networks this year.

Winter Term

In February, our Women’s Alumni Network soft launched with a virtual event to create a community for alumni who identify as women. Termly updates were shared, inviting members to join regular informal networking in the Alumni Centre, also known as Third Fridays, and other events of interest such as alumna Safeena Husain’s talk on the importance of girls having an education.  

The Network then officially launched in October with an in-person event, which was hosted in collaboration with LSE Careers. Attendees enjoyed a panel discussion titled ‘Women Alumni in Leadership’, which explored the experiences of some of our alumnae in senior positions and provided an insight into different career.

In March, we hosted the joint launch of the Banking and Finance Alumni Network and the Economics Alumni Network with a collaborative event in the Alumni Centre. These two Networks connect regularly, enabling members to network with like-minded alumni. 

Seeing so many alumnae and students at The Women’s Alumni Network Launch filled me with such hope and pride. I’m hopeful that through the Network and my leadership we can continue to provide a space for women where they’re recognised, included and supported within the alumni community, and I’m proud of what has been achieved in a short space of time in engaging with so many women globally – I’m looking forward to witnessing the Network grow

Anshu Choudhary (MSc International Social and Public Policy 2020), Women's Alumni Network Leader

 

A large lecture hall is full of women listening to a panel discussion during the launch of LSE's Women's Alumni Network

Spring Term

In June we celebrated LGBTQ+ Pride Month, which was a perfect opportunity to launch our LGBTQ+ Alumni Network. It was created to connect alumni who identify as LGBTQ+ and/or advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and to share research and expertise on LGBTQ+ topics.   

In collaboration with LSE Careers, a celebratory evening was held, where guests heard from successful alumni entrepreneurs from the LGBTQ+ community and had the perfect opportunity to grow their personal and professional networks.

Continuing to support LGBTQ+ members with developing in their careers, a virtual event took place in November. It enabled alumni globally to share their experiences and approaches that they had taken regarding their job searches, including identifying inclusive employers and the consideration of personal safety in different locations around the world.

An LSE Careers staff member gives a speech as part of our LGBTQ+ Alumni Network launch

Autumn Term

As we approached autumn, there were still more Alumni Networks to launch. First up was the Sustainability Alumni Network, which coincided perfectly with the launch of our new Global School of Sustainability. This Alumni Network was created to bring together alumni either working in or passionate about sustainability issues and was kickstarted with networking reception where Professor Giles Atkinson delivered an account of the development of Sustainability at LSE over the years.

In celebration of Black History Month, we officially launched our Black Alumni Network in October. This special event was hosted alongside Imperial College London’s Black Alumni Network. It was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our Black alumni communities in both institutions and encourage alumni to connect with each other.

Alumni listen during a speech at the launch of the Sustainability Alumni Network

In March, we hosted the joint launch of the Banking and Finance Alumni Network and the Economics Alumni Network with a collaborative event in the Alumni Centre. These two Networks connect regularly, enabling members to network with like-minded alumni.

I’ve had the pleasure of representing all three inclusion networks on the School’s Regional Liaison Committee and co-leading the Black Alumni Network. I’m so pleased to be playing a part in developing these global communities for alumni who experience marginalisation on a day-to-day basis and contributing to our sense of belonging. It’s been amazing to witness and be involved in the connections that are being formed within LSE and outside of it through the launch of the alumni networks. The Black Alumni Network Launch held in partnership with Imperial College London demonstrated the strength of networking and connections, and alumni from both institutions were appreciative of the space to come together – many bonds were formed. We look forward to creating more opportunities to strengthen all the alumni networks in the future, and hope to see alumni from all over the world join these.

Alyssa Banner (MSc Industrial Relations 2003), Black Alumni Network Co-leader, Regional Liaison Committee member

 

4 3 Three black men pose beside miniature LSE flags during the LSE Black Alumni Network lauch


Looking ahead

we will be launching more networks and increasing activity in the current active alumni networks, so do keep an eye on your emails and the Alumni Hub for upcoming events and activities.   

If you would like to find out more about any of our Networks, please email us or visit the Alumni Networks Programme page

Email us

Alumni Networks page