On 31 January 2024, the Academic Speakers Bureau (ASB) successfully launched its Taster Talks series, marking a significant milestone for this LSE Consulting initiative.
The ASB Taster Talks aim to provide a sneak peek into the expertise and insights of distinguished speakers associated with the bureau. The event showcased the diverse range of topics and subjects provided by ASB, highlighting its commitment to promote knowledge-sharing and foster intellectual discussions.
The launch event attracted an audience of academics as well as professionals. The attendees were treated to captivating presentations from world-renowned LSE speakers, each providing a succinct yet impactful preview of their respective expertise. Susana Mourato, Vice President and Pro-Vice Chancellor at LSE, chaired the event and welcomed the three speakers: Professor Nick Robins, Professor Elizabeth Stokoe and Professor Alexander Evans.
Nick Robins, Professor of Practice in Sustainable Finance, provided an inspiring talk on “Transforming Finance for a Just Transition”. The latest climate summit (COP28) signalled that a critical task for 2024 is to scale up net-zero investment in all countries. This is not only a question of cutting emissions, but delivering a just transition that benefits workers, communities and consumers. In his talk, he dived into how institutions across the financial system transform their practices to reroute capital flows.
Elizabeth Stokoe, Professor of Psychological and Behavioural Science, continued the Taster Talks with “The Conversational Racetrack: The Power of Words in Motion”. We spend much of our lives talking. Yet we know little about how our conversations work scientifically and are often seduced by stereotypes and myths. During her presentation, she captivated the audience with insights on how the words that comprise our everyday social interactions shape mundane, economic, and even life-saving outcomes.
Alexander Evans, Professor of Practice in Public Policy, focused his Taster Talk on “Cyber, Geopolitics & AI: Navigating a Volatile World”. In a dominantly digital world, cyber risk is everywhere. It already threatens to disrupt your operations – or worse. Geopolitics and AI add even more spice to the mix. In a compelling 20-minute keynote, he showed us how companies and governments can recruit, invest and insure against these growing multiple layers of risk.
The success of the launch event has set a promising tone for the future of the Taster Talks series. The ASB plans to host regular sessions featuring distinguished speakers from various academic disciplines, providing an accessible platform for intellectual discourse.
If you’re interested in booking a speaker for your next event, visit the ASB website to find out more.