A lasting legacy to provide access to real world research for LSE undergraduates
LSE was founded in 1895 with a single legacy bequest given to establish the School as “a community of people and ideas founded to know the causes of things for the betterment of society”. Since then, the School has continued to receive generous bequests from our alumni, friends and partners, ensuring we are able to fund world-leading research and education that shapes real-world policy and inspires the next generation.
One such LSE alumnus is the late Guy R Davies (BA International History 1974), who left a generous gift in his Will to support teaching and learning at the School. Aligned with one of our Campaign ambitions to shape transformative learning, the Eden Centre, LSE’s developmental centre for teaching and learning, has used Guy’s generous legacy to fund a number of Undergraduate Research Internships.
Aiming to provide undergraduate students with the opportunity to undertake real-world research on a live project, the Undergraduate Research Internships have projects spanning across several academic disciplines. They give students the opportunity to work directly with academics to gain insight into real-life research, build new skills, develop strong working relationships and enhance career prospects.
With six new research projects for 2023/24, 17 students have been recruited as interns thanks to the funding from this gift. Interns have been involved in, among other things, researching case studies for a new book, analysing policy documents relating to Covid-19, examining drought and flood data from Bangladesh, and investigating why gaming platform Google Stadia only lasted three years.
Thanks to Guy’s generous legacy, we were able to work with his family to distribute a portion of it towards Undergraduate Research Internships during 2022-23 and are delighted that we can now use more of the fund to support additional projects this year. Both our students and academics have gained a lot from the process. Staff members have highlighted how they have been able to expand the level of their research due to the extra capacity, while undergraduates who have participated were all grateful for the experience and the research skills they developed. We are looking forward to hearing similar stories this year!
Students participating in these internships gain an insight into the research process, develop their skills, and deepen their knowledge of the content of an innovative project. Eiman Shahin (BA Social Anthropology student), who interned on an exhibition project designed to show the fragmentation of the landscape in Abu Dhabi, shared her thoughts on the experience.
I am grateful to have been given this rewarding opportunity, and to have worked alongside such a passionate and dedicated team. I am excited to see how the impact of their research may inform thoughtful redesign, where roads can transform from divisive barriers into vibrant and sustainable corridors of safety, walkability and liveability, enhancing the well-being of those who use them.
