Safe Contacts

Elisabet Vives (She/Her)
Project Manager and Researcher
LSE Consulting, Research and Innovation Division
e.vives@lse.ac.uk

Safe Contact trained to support with bullying, harassment, discrimination AND sexual violence (including LGBTQ+ domestic and sexual violence).

I’ve worked at LSE Consulting for three years, first as a Project Officer and Researcher and now as a Project Manager and Researcher. Previously, I did an MSc in Philosophy and Public Policy at the LSE. Being both an alumna and an employee, I feel very much part of LSE’s international, vibrant community, and that made me want to be helpful to those around me.

The safe contact scheme strengthens the links between each other and enhances our sense of community by offering support to those who seek it. I have received training for sexual violence and harassment support and have been a Safe Contact since 2019. I am also a General Committee Member of Spectrum, the LGBTQ+ Staff Network, so I would be particularly happy to help anyone struggling in the LGBTQ+ community.

In my free time, I love to read, exercise (preferably outdoors) and spend time with my loved ones.

Jennie Stayner (She/Her)
Department Manager
Department of Economic History
j.c.stayner@lse.ac.uk 

Safe Contact trained to support with bullying, harassment, discrimination AND sexual violence. Trained in Safeguarding.

I’ve worked in Higher Education Administration since 2003 in 3 different institutions and have been at LSE since 2016. I have worked in academic departments for my entire career and my favourite part of my job is meeting and working with students. In my spare time I love watching films, being creative by knitting and sewing, spending time with my family and friends, and doing yoga.

I have received training for sexual violence and harassment support and have been a Safe Contact since 2018.

I am a committed and passionate ally for LGBTQ+, BAME and Disabled Colleagues and am trained as a Mental Health First-Aider.

Astrid Soiza
Head of Student Records Management 
Student Services Centre
a.soiza@lse.ac.uk

Safe Contact trained to support with bullying, harassment and discrimination.

My name is Astrid and I have been at LSE since 2010. I have had a number of roles in the Academic Registrar’s Division, and am currently the Head of Student Records Management.  I have a very keen interest in student and staff wellbeing, so took on the role of a Safe Contact in summer 2019.

Jessica Rowan 
PA and Research Projects Coordinator
LSE Housing and Communities
j.rowan1@lse.ac.uk

Safe Contact trained to support with bullying, harassment, discrimination AND sexual violence.

Hi, I’m Jess. I became a Safe Contact because it was important to me that colleagues and students could access support services as simply as possible when dealing with difficult and stressful situations. In a crisis, knowing where to turn and how to get the help you need can feel overwhelming. Having an acknowledged, safe, clear route to finding guidance and help is absolutely essential, and Safe Contacts provides that.

In my spare time, I like to run, especially on the paths and trails of Wimbledon Common, and putting a good playlist on and boogieing in my kitchen (or a dancefloor).

Sonya Onwu (She/Her)
LAWS Director
Department of Law
s.onwu@lse.ac.uk

Safe Contact trained to support with bullying, harassment, discrimination AND sexual violence.

I chose to become a Safe Contact because it is vital that all students and staff who have experienced bullying, harassment and/or sexual violence have a judgement free space to sit, share and think. Furthermore, as a woman of colour, I know that for BPoC students and staff, having the option to speak to someone from a similar community can make a world of difference. 

As a mama of two, free time is hard to come by! But I do love to cook- food is a love after all! When I am able to grab a few minutes to myself, I like to read young adult fiction, doom scroll twitter, rewatch episodes of Greys Anatomy and This is Us, or just sit in silence and finish a cup of cofee without having to reheat it!

Dr Anouska Nithyanandan
Research Development Manager. Acting Deputy Head of Research Development and Research Innovation
Research and Innovation
a.nithyanandan@lse.ac.uk

Safe Contact trained to support with bullying, harassment and discrimination.

I am passionate about supporting the enviroment in which we work, learn and do research. I have been a committee member of EmbRace staff network since 2017, and have volunteered as a bullying and harassment Safe Contact since 2020.

In my spare time I like going to the cinema and long walks around South London parks.

Melissa Nicholson
Head of International Compliance - IGC
Legal Team
m.a.nicholson@lse.ac.uk

Safe Contact trained to support with bullying, harassment, discrimination AND sexual violence.

In my current role I support international LSE staff through monitoring and managing international compliance and governance related requirements related to the School's registered international entities and the International Growth Centre (IGC). I work with teams to improve international safeguarding, safety and sercurity across the School. I became a Safe Contact because it's important to know your options in a crisis and be able to be informed enough to be in full control of your next steps. 

Daniel Linehan
Centre Manager
LSE LIFE
d.p.linehan@lse.ac.uk
0207 106 1147

Safe Contact trained to support with bullying, harassment, discrimination AND sexual violence. Trained in Safeguarding.

I’ve been at the School since 2001, first as Departmental Manager for what used to be the Department of Social Psychology (now the Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science) and now as Centre Manager in LSE LIFE.

Over the years I have gain a good understanding of the issues faced by colleagues and I welcome the opportunity to work as a Safe Contact and to make a positive contribution to the School.

In my spare time, I have become addicted to Spotify and it has replaced Five USA as my favourite way to relax.

My favourite book is Lord of the Flies by William Golding. This book made me look at the world in a different way in terms of good and evil.

If I had one superpower, it would be the ability to instantly switch off.

Stephanie Lambert (She/Her)
Academic Mentor, BSc Management 
Department of Management
S.Lambert@lse.ac.uk

Safe Contact trained to support with bullying, harassment, discrimination AND sexual violence. Trained in Safeguarding.

I chose to become a Safe Contact because I understand there are so many situations in life that where confiding in someone can make things easier to cope with.  Having somebody impartial, reliable and trustworthy to talk to makes such a difference; nobody should have to struggle with something alone.

I am part of three staff networks championing diversity and inclusion: Power, Spectrum and EmbRace.  I have completed my Active Bystander Training, Sexual Violence Training and my White Ally Training at the LSE. 

If I could have one superpower it would be the ability to teleport so that I could find the sunshine when I need it (without enduring the costly long haul flights), eat all of my favourite foods in the best places and visit family and friends more often.

Katarzyna Krajniewska (Kasia) (She/Her)
Undergraduate Tutor
Economics
k.a.krajniewska@lse.ac.uk
0207 955 6889

Safe Contact trained to support with bullying, harassment, discrimination AND sexual violence. Trained in Safeguarding.

In my daily job, I regularly and frequently interact with students. They come to me with lots of different issues and I always strive to ensure they get the attention and the right support needed, be it emotional, personal, academic or research related. I deeply believe all of us (staff, faculty and students) should feel safe, respected and cared about, and have a confidential and non-judgemental space to disclose details of incidents with negative impact and receive reliable advice on possible course of action. I hope to be able to extend the support I give my students also to other members of the community and this motivated me to become a Safe Contact.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family. My kids are young and it’s my priority to make sure they get the right amount of attention and value time with their parents. Besides, I really enjoy being around them; they make me truly and unconditionally happy. There is a lot one can learn from a child.

Tom Jones
Graduate Programme Coordinator
Geography and Environment
t.jones5@lse.ac.uk
0207 107 5689

Safe Contact trained to support with bullying, harassment, discrimination AND sexual violence.

I chose to become a Safe Contact as I had previously worked in HE in residential roles so thought my experience would be invaluable in this role. I also felt that there needed to be more male representation in the Safe Contact role.

In my spare time, I’m an avid rugby fan having grown up playing from the age of 4 and plan on getting back into playing when I move up to London.

Ioanna Gouseti 
Leverhulme Early Career Fellow / Research Fellow
Sociology
i.gouseti1@lse.ac.uk  

Safe Contact trained to support with bullying, harassment, discrimination AND sexual violence. Trained in sexual violence and harassment support.

I joined the LSE Department of Sociology as course tutor in 2016, after completing my PhD at the LSE Methodology Department. I teach criminology and research methods courses, and I conduct research on public attitudes to crime and on sexual harassment. I’ve recently been awarded a Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship to conduct research on gendered harassment in public space. 

I love movement, especially spinning, dance cardio, yoga, and walking (preferably in nature). As a new mama, I don’t have much ‘me time’, but when I do, I love watching movies and reading fiction as well as listening to podcasts, with some of my favourites being ‘Woman's Hour’, ‘Beyond Today’, ‘Talking politics’ and Tara Brach’s guided meditations. Have a listen! 

I feel grateful for being part of the Safe Contact Team since 2020. I am a passionate advocate of initiatives that create cultures, which promote well-being, connectedness, inclusivity and support, such as the LSE safe contact.  

Victoria Frost (she/her)
Head of Student Services
Academic Registrar’s Division
V.L.frost@lse.ac.uk

Safe Contact trained to support with bullying, harassment, discrimination AND sexual violence.

I chose to be a Safe Contact because I have spent years supporting staff and students through difficult situations, including issues that you might bring to a Safe Contact.

I have worked at universities in three different countries and in a variety of roles, including responding to intimate partner violence and sexual violence. I have also worked with the Student Wellbeing Service and have a good understanding of the various support services across the School and in the wider community.

Please come talk to me if you would like someone to listen to you and help you figure out a way forward. 

Pete Evanson
Deputy Head of Student Services (Advice and Policy)
Student Services Centre
P.Evanson@lse.ac.uk

Safe Contact trained to support with bullying, harassment and discrimination.

In my role I often encounter students who are, or have, faced difficult or distressing circumstances and I try to be a good listener who can help to formulate a plan that joins up the academic and pastoral support available to students at LSE.

Tash Dalling
Organisational Learning Programme Coordinator (secondment)
Human Resources
t.dalling@lse.ac.uk

Safe Contact trained to support with bullying, harassment, discrimination AND sexual violence (including LGBTQ+ domestic and sexual violence). Trained in Safeguarding.

I have worked in HE within Human Resources and Programmes as well as within Victim Support as a Support Worker. I have an interest in both staff and student wellbeing and safety, and feel that it is an incredibly important aspect of University life, hence have taken on the role of being a Safe Contact.

I enjoy Olympic Weightlifting and watching films/tv shows in my spare time.

Chris Chaplin (He/Him)
Visiting Fellow
Department of Anthropology
c.chaplin@lse.ac.uk

Safe Contact trained to support with bullying, harassment, discrimination AND sexual violence.

I joined the LSE’s Religion and Global Society Research Unit in 2021. Before this I spent several years working in government and as an academic in the UK and abroad, including at the LSE. I am an anthropologist by training, and passionate supporter in creating an inclusive, open and kind environment at the university.

As a Safe Contact I hope to work alongside my colleagues to offer non-judgmental guidance and support whenever needed. 

Mark Bryceland
MSc Programmes Manager
Department of Government
m.bryceland@lse.ac.uk
0207 955 6300

Safe Contact trained to support with bullying, harassment and discrimination.

In my current role I frequently help students who may experience difficulties on a range of issues related to their programme of study. I decided to become a Safe Contact in Spring 2020 in order to signpost students and staff to appropriate sources of help at the School.In my spare time I go to the gym or for a run most lunchtimes. Outside of work I am a music enthusiast and budding script-writer.

Kelly Benson
Faculty Affairs Manager
Management
k.benson@lse.ac.uk
0207 955 6291

Safe Contact trained to support with bullying, harassment and discrimination.

I have worked in Higher Education Administration since 2001, this is my third institution and I have been at LSE since 2014. My current role is primarily academic recruitment and supporting key HR functions for the Department. I have a keen interest in student and staff wellbeing and took on the role of a Safe Contact in March 2020.

Casey Kearney (he/him)
School of Public Policy
c.kearney1@lse.ac.uk

Safe Contact trained to support with bullying, harassment, and discrimination.

My name is Casey and I have been at LSE since 2022. I am an Assistant Professor in the School of Public Policy where I teach courses in data science and quantitative methods and support master’s students. I chose to become a Safe Contact to better support students and staff throughout our academic community.

In my spare time I enjoy running and indoor rock climbing.

Sudha Vijay (she/her)
Assistant Planning Officer,
Planning
s.vijay1@lse.ac.uk

Safe Contact trained to support with bullying, harassment, and discrimination.

I have been at LSE since 2019, first as a Master’s student and now as a staff member (in the area of data insights and analytics). I am well versed in the stress and chaos that University can bring to students and staff and am keen to use my knowledge and skills to support people feel safe and heard (while also sign posting to the correct support/resources available).

I chose to be a Safe Contact because I am passionate about supporting people, having worked with young people and adults from various social strata of society and being strong advocate of wellbeing. 

Please come and talk to me if you would like a gentle listening ear and guidance on the support available to you.

Monica Haile-Selassie
Secretary Division
m.haile-selassie@lse.ac.uk

Safe Contact trained to support with bullying, harassment, and discrimination.

I joined the LSE in the summer of 2022, and I work in Secretary Division.  Prior to this I worked in Corporate and during the pandemic rejoined the NHS. This is my first time working in Education, I decided to join the safe contact scheme as I believe it is important for everyone to access to help and feel supported.

I am a parent of two young children so quite a limited amount of personal time at home, however in my free time I like to read, and catching up on recommended TV series.