Professor Meghnad Desai: LSE are deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Meghnad Desai, who was part of the LSE community since the late 1960s. A towering intellectual figure and a brilliant economist, he founded the Development Studies Institute (DESTIN) against all odds and played a pivotal role in shaping development studies at the School. Professor Desai’s ability to bridge Marxist and neoclassical economics was uniquely insightful. His contributions to development theory and human development were profound, and his commitment to interdisciplinary study laid the foundation for what is now the Department of International Development. He remained a valued presence and supporter of the Department throughout the years. In a video on the history of the Department, he reflects on the founding of DESTIN and the vision behind it, a testament to his lasting impact. The School and the Department will be exploring ways to honour his legacy in the coming academic year. Meghnad Desi’s condolences page.

Professor Tim Forsyth has been awarded the Global Sustainability Research Fund for his project, Analyzing Culture War Climate Politics. The study will examine how climate science is received in the UK, Germany, and the USA, using media analysis to explore links between climate debates and broader political tensions—such as trust in expertise and government. The project will also test theories of civic epistemologies and aims to inform future policy. Collaborations are planned with the Technical University of Munich and the University of East Anglia.

Last year, Professor Ken Shadlen spent time in Mexico City advancing his research on pharmaceutical patent linkage and generic drug regulation. He presented findings from a joint project with Daniel Bernal-Serrano (Monterrey Tec) and continued work on a collaborative paper following a 2024 LSE event with Prof. Abril Campos. This growing partnership between LSE’s Department of International Development and Monterrey Tec’s School of Government may lead to further joint initiatives. Find out more here.

How experiences of shocks give the ‘Global South’ a resilient edge: Esperanza Hughes-Salinas reflecting on the reaction to Spain’s 10-hour electricity blackout compared to power cuts in Argentina, argues that the Global North needs to learn from the South’s adaptability, solidarity and psychological preparedness during disruptions to be resilient to climate shocks.

Rethinking Innovation Policy in Latin America: Luis Eduardo Gutiérrez Rojas argues that despite publicly prioritising innovation, Pacific Alliance countries (Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru) have struggled with fragmented systems, chronic underfunding, and politically driven policy shifts, revealing a gap between rhetoric and effective long-term innovation strategies.

Building India-Pakistan Cross-Border Solidarity by using alternate media tools: Anzal Abbas explores how digital and alternative media platforms can enable ordinary citizens of India and Pakistan to bypass nationalist narratives, build cross-border solidarity, and foster peace through dialogue, cultural exchange, and collective action, despite longstanding political tensions.