Our Mandate

We are a Research Centre within LSE IDEAS devoted to South Asia in all its manifest and liminal complexity, an academic platform for interdisciplinary and perspectival engagements with the region. The Centre leads on the various developments -- economic, political, cultural, social -- alongside various other concerns, through 

  • harnessing & publicising the disciplinary & interdisciplinary expertise of LSE faculty, Fellows, researchers and students for public engagement and impact
  • supporting our diverse and global student body in their activities relating to the region 
  • developing networks between LSE academics & individuals/external stakeholders (including governments and institutions) both within the United Kingdom and in the region for collaborative activities, knowledge exchange, and impact  
  • engaging our alumni in South Asia and across the world in our events, activities and initiatives 
  • working with LSE Library to publicise its archives relating to South Asia through the 'Traces of South Asia' project, curating exhibitions & events
  • being the hub of all South Asia-related events & activities at LSE, and lead the UK-South Asia Network  
  • generating conversations on issues of global importance confronting South Asia between experts, stakeholders and others from issues of poverty and opportunity to digitalisation, the role of artificial intelligence and much else
  • publishing high-quality and easily accessible academic posts on our flagship blog 'South Asia @ LSE', attracting almost half a million visitors every year  
  • developing research resources -- digital maps, Occasional/Working Papers -- and research agenda
  • seeking innovative solutions to the region's demographic, development, economic, political and other challenges
  • bringing new international audiences interested in South Asia to LSE
  • engaging in capacity-building initiatives that speak to contemporary challenges in South Asia