“For the betterment of society”

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is one of the foremost social science universities in the world. With 18 Nobel Prize winners and 37 past or present heads of state among its diverse community of alumni, LSE is a truly influential and international university at the forefront of global policy debate.

A new Global School of Sustainability (GSoS) at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) will advance global understanding of, and efforts to shape, a brighter future for all that is sustainable, resilient, hopeful, prosperous and inclusive. 

Launching in 2025, GSoS will become a centre of research and expertise, informing policy, helping to rapidly create the economic growth, social inclusion and environmental advance and protections crucial to ensuring a sustainable future, while convening global discussion and training the future generation of leaders.

The Global School of Sustainability will build on and complement further the pathbreaking work of the Grantham Research Institute for Climate Change and the Environment and existing outstanding contributions from academic departments and researchers in the social sciences across LSE.

An initial commitment of £25 million has been made towards the new School, with further very substantial funding in phases over the subsequent years.

The inaugural Dean will be able to play a leading role in developing the foundational vision and strategy for GSoS, bringing together existing expertise in the social sciences from across LSE and beyond and partnering with a wide range of external stakeholders and institutions globally to deliver impact. They will help pioneer innovative research addressing key sustainability challenges, shape future leaders through cutting-edge education programmes, and drive exchange of knowledge and ideas between academia, policymaking, the private sector, and civil society. Through this, the Dean will ensure GSoS is regarded as a world-class hub for sustainability research, education, understanding, and policy impact, uniquely harnessing the social sciences to shape the future of people and the planet.

The successful Dean will therefore be a visionary leader with outstanding intellectual standing with exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, able to communicate a compelling vision to diverse audiences. They will have an understanding of the challenges within developed and developing countries, with private and public sectors, and in international action. They will be able to formulate and deliver a strategy and innovation in a complex environment, working to foster shared commitment and cohesive action. They will have a deep commitment to sustainability and higher education, and align with the values of the LSE and the mission to create a truly inclusive university. Initially, this will be a fixed five -year appointment, with the possibility of it being extended.

Application is by submission of a full curriculum vitae (CV) and a covering letter of application. The CV should include all educational and professional qualifications, full employment history, and details of key achievements. The covering letter should be between two to three sides of A4 and should address your interest in the position and the LSE, as well as how you meet the job description and person specification.

The application should also include suitable daytime and evening telephone contact details, a preferred email address, and the details of at least two referees. Referees will not be contacted without prior agreement and notice.

The closing date for applications is midnight GMT on Sunday 1st December 2024.

Perrett Laver will conduct preliminary interviews with long-listed candidates in late December and early January, and the Appointment Committee will meet in January 2025 to decide upon a shortlist of candidates.

The final stages are expected to take place at LSE in late January 2025. 

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