Ask an Alum - LSE Research

LSE100 Research Projects

Engage alumni with your research topics to hear their insights, have interesting conversations, and enrich your projects.

You ask.
They answer.

LSE alumni are keen to help students and fellow alumni.

Need inspiration? Here's what others like you have asked.

“Hi there, I am asking a question on behalf of my LSE100 group who are doing a project on educational fairness. We are looking at the focus problem of tax exemptions on private schools and how ending this exemption would improve education equality. Our target audience is the education and treasury department in the UK. If you have any thoughts on the power structure of the government or how we should design our proposal so it is best implemented this would be helpful. We look forward to discussing this with you! “

“We are a group of first-year students working on an interdisciplinary group project for LSE100, in which we are looking to propose ways to address the issue of facial recognition AI systems in the criminal justice system of England and Wales. We are intending to pitch our proposal for change towards dominant AI software companies on the market, so would be particularly interested to hear from alumni working in the sector about how people in this area are thinking about this problem, as well as the processes and challenges involved in tackling it. Thanks so much!”

“Hi there! We are first year students working on an interdisciplinary group project for LSE100, in which we are looking to propose ways to address overconsumption and overproduction with respect to the fast fashion industry. We are intending to pitch our proposal for change towards how fast fashion waste is dealt with, so would be particularly interested to hear from alumni working in these areas about how the people in this area are thinking about slow fashion, or the processes and challenges involved in making change. Looking forward to chatting with you!”

How It Works

01 You ask.

Submit a question related to your course topic.

02 We recruit.

Our technology (powered by Protopia) uses AI to find the best experts to answer you.

03 Get answers.

We persist until you have one or more responses. Delivered right to your email inbox.

04 Say ‘thank you.’

And build your network by continuing to stay in touch (such as via LinkedIn).

Not sure how to ask? We’ve got a short video that will turn you into a networking pro.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I ask?

Literally anything to help with your academic or professional development. There are thousands of alumni, academics, staff and friends that can help with building and growing a startup, personal development, or figuring out career options.

What is a good question?

Think of your question as an advertisement. Share who you are, what you are doing, and what you need help with. Keep it short and sweet. Here’s a short video on how to craft a great question that will get you results and help build your network.

Can I ask a follow-up question?

Yes, of course! Once we make a match you’ll have direct, one-to-one communication and can ask additional questions.

Who will see my question?

We send your request to the best alumni, academics, and staff in your area of interest. Members of staff at LSE, including LSE Careers, may use the content of your question to improve programming. Using this Service will not influence any current or future application to the School.

Can I request someone specific to receive my question?

No. We make our matches based on availability, proximity, experience, and skills.

Is there a limit to how often I can ask?

No, you can ask as many questions as you would like. In fact, we encourage it as this is the simplest way for you to build your professional network.

Will my questions and responses be confidential?

Your question will not be made public. It will be seen only by matched experts and a handful of administrators.

How long will it take to get an answer?

We aim to get you answers within 3 business days. But it depends on what you’re asking. It can go as quickly as an hour to as long as 10 days or more.

"Very helpful! The first response was good but I followed up with another question and he was able to help me even further!"

"This is a great service! I love how it provides a platform to easily connect with alumni who are willing to help. The response from an alumni member answered all my questions and I hope to be able to further this connection."

Go ahead and ask

It has never been simpler to get help from others that have done what’s ahead of you.

The use of Ask an Alum is subject to our Terms Of Use. Questions? Contact us at alumni@mail.lse.ac.uk.