Mission

The Houghton Group is an independent, nonpartisan membership organization committed to fostering the intellectual development of future leaders in foreign policy from the London School of Economics.

Activities

Weekly Meetings

The Houghton Group meets weekly to discuss a prearranged topic relating to contemporary international affairs.  Each meeting consists of a fifteen minute presentation by a designated member with a developed knowledge of the topic.  Following the presentation, debate is led by a designated chair.  These meetings have been structured in a manner most conducive to thoughtful discussion and enquiry.

Special Events

To complement weekly meetings, the Houghton Group organizes monthly events in which a distinguished guest is invited to speak on an issue pertaining to recent developments in international affairs.  In contrast to large speaking events where limited interaction occurs between guests and their audience, these events provide an intimate setting where members can share and develop their ideas with leading policymakers.

Policy Papers

Throughout the course of the academic year, Houghton Group members produce short policy papers recommending specific action to address contemporary issues in international affairs.  Given the broad academic expertise and cultural experiences of the Group, these papers reflect a wide range of geographical and intellectual perspectives.

History

While the London School of Economics provides a strong environment for the intellectual development of its students, there has been a noticeable absence of a forum in which to hold structured, intimate student-led discussion.  In 2007, three students at the LSE set out to change this with the establishment of the Houghton Group.  By founding the Houghton Group they sought to build an institution that would continue to thrive long past their graduation.

Members

Each generation consists of eleven students in their third year of study at the London School of Economics.  This constitutes the Sitting Committee.  Each year, the outgoing Sitting Committee chooses eleven students to follow them.  Selection of members is based on a broad set of criteria.  These include geographical and intellectual diversity as well as a proven capacity for future achievement.  Each Sitting Committee elects one member to serve as Chairman.

Leadership

Committee of Principals

The Committee of Principals, in overseeing the institution as a whole, is charged with protecting the integrity of the Group and ensuring the continuity and survival of the ideals upon which the Group was established.

Alexander Dresner

Alexander is a second year Government and History student.  Originally from the United States, he has lived most of his life in the United Kingdom.  He has interned in the Office of Senator Edward Kennedy and worked as a production assistant on Hardball, a nationally televised political talk show in the United States.He continued to gain experience and pursue his interest in politics by recently working in the speechwriting office of the United States Secretary of Defense.  Prior to the LSE, he attended Leighton Park School in Reading, England.

Ari Helgason

Ari is a final year International Relations student from Iceland.  His principal academic interests are private military companies, strategic communications, and public diplomacy.  He has lived in Denmark, Italy and the United Kingdom.  He is fluent in Icelandic, Danish, German, and Italian.  He has pursued his interest in political strategy and gained experience through placements in the political section of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party and with the polling firm Megafon Consulting.  Prior to the LSE he attended the Wallington County Grammar School in Surrey, England.

Alex Schwyhart

Alex is a final year International Relations student from the United States.  He specializes in East Asia, the Near East, American foreign policy, and human rights.  He has interned for Congressman John Boozman (R-AR) as well as Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA).  He is currently studying Spanish and Mandarin.  Next year, he plans to begin a master’s degree in International Relations at Peking University, Beijing. Prior to the LSE, he attended Rogers High School in Northwest Arkansas, United States.

Long-term Goals                                          

Through the growth of our endowment the Houghton Group will strive to continue to expand the scope of its activities with the ultimate objective of establishing a permanent and unique addition to the intellectual life of the London School of Economics.

To ensure this the Houghton Group, once in a position to do so, will establish a permanent administrative staff based at a fixed location in or around the LSE.  This will become critical to the successful operation of the Group as its membership base grows with the annual entry of eleven final-year students.

In addition to this, the Houghton Group will provide a solid framework to encourage inter-generational mentoring among an ever-increasing membership base.  Final year students looking for academic instruction or career guidance will benefit greatly from drawing on the experiences of past members.

----Information in PDF Format----