Humans of ID

In this episode, Professor Deborah James gives an anthropological perspective on ethics and ethical development, drawing on years of research and professional experience in South Africa and the UK. The main takeaway: ethics cannot be thought of as a set of fixed principles, but rather as something constantly evolving and being renegotiated. Professor James explores why this is the case. 

What does it mean to approach development ethically—not just in theory, but in practice, amid complexity, power dynamics, and imperfect systems? In this episode, Dr. Duncan Green shares reflections from years of experience in the sector, challenging us to rethink what ethics means in day-to-day development work. Spoiler: he doesn’t see himself as an “ethical person”—and maybe that’s the point. Eth...

As we approach graduation, we students are now faced with the task of combining academic learning with practical development work. Discussions with classmates have revealed shared uncertainties about translating interdisciplinary knowledge into practical applications. Thus, this panel discussion emerges from our shared interest in understanding how interdisciplinarity translates into action in the...

The gender gap in labour force participation (LFP) is not just an economic issue; it is a reflection of the broader societal challenges that women in Pakistan face. The World Bank reports that only 24.5% of women in Pakistan participate in the labour force, compared to 81.5% of men. This stark disparity places Pakistan among the countries with the lowest female LFP rates globally - representing mi...

This episode, guest Mia Fraser talks about her journey and legacy to LSE while exploring the transformative paths LSE alumni's can navigate the myriad of opportunities available to graduates beyond the university. Whether you're an LSE graduate or simply curious about the paths taken by others, this podcast offers valuable insights into harnessing opportunities and continuing a legacy of excellenc...

Curious about the world of development consultancy? Join us for a captivating conversation with Amelia Prestage, Chief Operation Officer for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa at Palladium , and an LSE alumna. With practical skills honed at organizations like Save the Children, the FCDO IMPACT Programme, and Health Poverty Action, Amelia shares insights into the nuances of working in NGOs versus...

Embark on an inspiring journey with Professor Naila Kabeer as she shares the extraordinary chapters of her path so far! Explore the challenges she overcame, delve into her experiences in Bangladesh, and witness the transformative moments that shifted her focus to gender and feminism in development.

Dr. Omar Al-Ghazzi , from the London School of Economics, shares his captivating journey through academia, offering listeners a unique perspective on pursuing passions while upholding essential values. His firsthand experiences in academia and his core takeaways serve as a vital guide for students poised to navigate their distinct routes in the professional world. As we start preparing for our nex...

Learn about the intricacies when mitigating a crisis that needs aid alongside LSE’s assistant professor Myfanwy James ! Tune into the conversation on the complexities of how aid agencies navigate humanitarian crises like DRC marked by decades of violence and large influxes of forced migration. Engage and grapple with diverse pathways available when entering the field of humanitarianism, whether th...

Hop on the train and journey into the arena of international law alongside LSE's law Professor Gerry Simpson ! Join us as we delve into the complexities of navigating the intersection between war crimes, international law, and the humanitarian system. Gain invaluable insights and advice on forging a successful path in this complex field. Whether you're a law student, a humanitarian worker, or a se...

Devoting her life to the study of African Political Economy, Professor Catherine Boone , based at the London School of Economics, delves into the complexities of her four-decade-long academic career. She navigates crucial trials and tribulations, providing insights into the potential challenge's when embarking on a journey in academia.

From Physics to activism in Latin America, senior strategic advisor at Oxfam Great Britain and Professor in Practice in International Development, Dr Duncan Green explores the prospects, skills and challenges involved in entering and working in the development sector.

In this episode Angeliki and Ziyaad explore how to make development a topic that is accessible for all. This draws on an article by PHD student Pauline Jerrentup entitled “‘Who knows what? The pitfalls of academic jargon’”. The link is as follows: https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/internationaldevelopment/2023/03/14/who-knows-what-the-pitfalls-of-academic-jargon/   Join us as we say hello in different langu...

The Humans of ID Podcast is back for 2023 with a brand new series! In this first episode of season two, MSc students Alice, Angeliki, Joe, and Ziyaad speak about the four different master's programmes currently offered by the Department of International Development: Development Management (DM), Development Studies (DS), Health and International Development (HID) and International Development and H...

After an exam-induced break over the summer, the Humans of ID podcast is back! In this episode, host Nune Harutyunyan chats to fellow MSc student in Development Management, Becky Asselin. Becky speaks about the social enterprise she founded and runs, Everoot, which helps businesses get B-Corp certified, a recognition of performance, accountability, and transparency on factors including employee be...

In this week’s episode, Nune chats with her fellow development management coursemate, Maria Jose Lopez Signiorelli about her change of career path from a research assistant/sociologist to an international development student. Maria shares how her experience in academia can potentially enhance her pursuit of a career in development management and speaks about some of the new skills or knowledge she...

This week’s host Emily Campbell Harry is joined by Radh Siddiquee and Carolina Delgado Fernández who are students at the MSc in Health and International Development programme. They speak about their previous studies in the field of medicine, how making a switch from being a practicing doctor to policy making has shaped their perspectives in this field and where they imagine the combination of this...

To mark International Women’s Day 2022, Sheren chats with MSc Students Shanyce Morris and Marta Perich about the issue of gender inequality. The guests share their experiences of daily gender bias as well as explore the topic of gender violence in a conflict setting. Reflecting this year’s International Women’s Day theme of #BreakTheBias, the episode concludes with hopes of eliminating future gend...

In the this week’s episode, Nuné chats with MSc students Henrique Góes and Luis Guitérrez Rojas about development in their home countries of Brazil and Colombia. Both guests discuss their interests in public policy and previous career experience in the sector. They explore how studying at the LSE has offered an opportunity to engage with different areas within the field of development.

In the first episode, we meet the team (MSc students in the Department Emily, Nune and Sheren) who speak about life at LSE and in London more generally, what brought them to the UK and what led them to study international development.