- Introduction and Background
I am Dr Nayat Horozoglu, an Assistant Professor (Education) of Management at LSE. My expertise is in Management Science, for which I hold an MSc and PhD from LSE. Management Science, also known by other names including Business Analytics, focuses on using data, mathematical models, and analytical methods to help organisations make better decisions. I also qualified as a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries in 2016. Before I returned to academia, I worked for over seven years as a consultant and advised corporate clients on complex financial decisions. This background has partly shaped my educational philosophy, where I believe in creating learning environments that balance theoretical rigour with practical application and allowing students to develop both deep subject knowledge and the technical skills to apply that knowledge effectively.
When I rejoined LSE, I took on an academic mentoring role, which introduced me to the fantastic new services available to students. Many of these services did not exist when I was a student here myself. I first collaborated with LSE LIFE on academic writing support for my students, and after seeing the benefits of these initiatives, I sought out further collaborations. This led me to research the offerings of Digital Skills Lab, where I gained a better appreciation of the breadth of support they provide.
- Experience with the Digital Skills Lab
Why did you engage with the Digital Skills Lab?
I run a highly technical course, Simulations for Managerial Decision-Making, where students apply stochastic modelling techniques using Excel and specialised add-ins to analyse real-life managerial problems. Excel has always been a prerequisite, but I found that students often misjudged their level of proficiency. As a result, some struggled from the start and were unable to engage fully with the more advanced material. I wanted to ensure that all students had the necessary skills before tackling complex modelling tasks. However, it was not possible to dedicate additional course time to covering this, as the curriculum was already packed. Since Excel was already a prerequisite, I saw an opportunity to partner with the Digital Skills Lab to offer targeted support while maintaining the course's focus on its core content.
What specific training or tools provided by the Digital Skills Lab have you experienced?
Together with the Digital Skills Lab, we developed a tailored Excel training session for my students in the first week of term, which covers everything they need for my course. This ensures that all students, regardless of their starting level, acquire the necessary skills to keep pace with the course. This training has reduced my support load, as students used to come to me with Excel-related questions, even though they were expected to have prior knowledge.
Students who wish to develop their skills further are encouraged to complete wider fundamentals training outside of the course with the Digital Skills Lab.
How has the training supported your academic courses or research?
The impact has been transformative. When students begin the course with strong Excel skills, they engaged more deeply with complex concepts, applying analytical thinking rather than focusing on Excel mechanics. Discussions became more sophisticated, with greater emphasis on interpreting models, assessing assumptions, and evaluating real-world implications.
Can you share a particular success story or positive outcome that resulted from this collaboration?
The difference was clear in last year’s cohort. In previous years, large variations in Excel proficiency created challenges for both students and me. Once the Digital Skills Lab training was integrated, the course ran much more smoothly, and every student had a strong foundation from the start. This shift has significantly improved the quality of their learning experience.
Beyond the classroom, recent graduates have shared how these skills helped them transition smoothly into professional roles. By developing both technical proficiency and structured problem-solving abilities, they have been able to tackle workplace challenges with confidence from day one.
Integrating digital skills into academic courses is not just about learning software. It is about creating an environment where students can think critically, engage meaningfully, and be well-prepared for the demands of their future careers.
In what ways has the Digital Skills Lab impacted your teaching methods or student engagement?
First, while I already incorporated hands-on Excel work in my courses, partnering with the Digital Skills Lab has helped students develop technical proficiency more efficiently.
Second, this integration strikes a balance between academic rigour and professional preparation. My consulting experience showed me how Excel proficiency enables more sophisticated analysis, and the Change Makers project surveying nearly 180 alumni confirmed it remains the most sought-after digital skill across industries. Embedding these skills within academic contexts helps students see how theoretical concepts translate into real-world problem-solving.
Third, making Digital Skills Lab training part of the curriculum has dramatically improved accessibility. Previously, many students wanted to develop these skills but struggled to find time. Now, they complete essential training as part of the course, and many are motivated to continue with more advanced DSL training on their own.
What would you say to someone considering using the Digital Skills Lab’s services?
For educators, integrating Digital Skills Lab training into your course creates a transformative learning environment. This integration ensures students develop critical digital skills alongside subject knowledge and enhances their ability to engage with complex concepts. From my experience, this approach not only deepens student engagement but also reduces time spent addressing basic technical questions and allows more class time for sophisticated discussions and deeper learning.
For students seeking to strengthen their technical skills, the Digital Skills Lab is an invaluable resource that serves both academic success and career development. The training is flexible, tailored and accessible regardless of your current proficiency level. This ensures you acquire essential competencies without feeling overwhelmed and build confidence that extends beyond the classroom.
The Digital Skills Lab provides a strong foundation for students to engage more meaningfully with course content while gaining valuable technical competencies. When students are confident using tools like Excel, they can focus on applying analytical thinking to complex problems in class. This collaboration not only enhances the academic experience but also equips students for the professional challenges they will face after graduation.