Since moving to London and starting a new job at LSE before Christmas, I’ve been looking forward to attending some of the remarkable LSE Public Lectures.
I graduated from my own university studies over two years ago, and whilst I’ve chosen marketing as my career, a part of me still covets the academic life: hours of reading, lively disagreement and debate, and the satisfaction of intellectual pursuit. It’s difficult not to, when LSE students can be heard enthusing about their latest lecture on every corner.
So the Public Lecture series is an ideal way for me to stay in touch with my academic side. It’s an impressive line-up of speakers from all sorts of disciplines, backgrounds and industries, with several events held every week.
The first lecture I attended was from LSE’s Middle East Centre. Dr Filippo Dionigi gave an effective summary of his new book on ‘Hezbollah, Islamist Politics and International Society’. I found it both nostalgic and refreshing to be in the midst of his absorbed audience (who had completely filled the lecture theatre); I was also encouraged to find that I followed his arguments and case studies, despite being an amateur!
When the floor was opened for questions, the resulting discussion was just as enlightening as the talk. Queries, critiques and praise came from students and researchers from several London universities, as well as international development professionals and people from the region.
I left the New Academic Building feeling motivated to read more about the issues that Dr Dionigi discussed, which of course relate to a vital topic in current affairs. I’ve attended a couple more lectures since, and I’m looking forward to several more in the next few months. I would thoroughly recommend the LSE Public Lecture series to anyone who wants to supplement their studies, extend their academic or professional research, or, like me, wants to continue learning about contemporary issues from those at the forefront of their field.