Dear Dr. Neil Amstrong,

I am writing to respectfully submit my application and to state my strong motivation for MSc in Local Economic Development at the London School of Economics.

My interest in LSE’s graduate program in Local Economic Development stems from my current applied research in the field, which investigates for Local Economic Development Strategies with Indigenous Communities in Northwest Argentina. I am doing this work as a member of an interdisciplinary team of the Upper Institute for Social Studies (ESS) and as part of my PhD thesis titled “Local Communitarian-Development in Northwest Argentina”. I firmly believe that the LED program will give me the tools I need to successfully complete my PhD research and to continue working in the field of Regional and Local Development research, which is my primary professional goal.

I was born and raised in Tucuman, a city placed in Northwest Argentina. Being the seventh largest country in the world, Argentina has many regional differences, and the North is the poorest one in terms of income, as well as in other dimensions of development. With an under-developed national transportation system, and a centralized national political organization, opportunities for economic development have always been limited in the North. These realities convinced me about the need to do research with a Local and Regional perspective, and to gain new tools to complement my studies of economics.

 An important step towards this goal was my graduate student exchange program in National University of Mexico (UNAM), where I took courses on Regional and Urban Economics and worked at the Center of Studies for Sustainable Regional and Urban Development (CENUS). The Director of CEnUS, Dr. Normand Ilford, introduced me to the field of Economic Geography and Regional Analysis. There I found theoretical tools needed to approach my research, like the tools for the design of Local Development Policies, and the use of Input-Output Matrix for Regional Analysis and Policy Impact Assessments.

My research interests are related with the effects of Globalization on Local Communities, and the response of those communities to Technological and Cultural Change. Aspects like the effects of trade liberalization in community’s economic strategies; the role of social capital on local growth; and the effects of credit constrains on community’s economic performance, are things I find interesting and important to research about. I also enjoy working with third sector organizations committed to smooth the effects of development transitions, giving support and assistance to producers and other organizations, and dictating courses and workshops.

During my time at CENUS, I became acquainted with the work of Prof. Michael Jackson on the topic of How Institutions and Social Interactions Shape Development, and I found it very stimulating and enlightening. I also found my interests match much of the research done by the department’s faculty. For these reasons I am certain that the London School of Economics is the perfect place to pursue my ambitions and I would be highly honored to become a student at your Department. I am confident that I have the necessary quantitative and academic background to successfully complete the program, and I will bring a high level of energy and enthusiasm to ensure that.

Once again, I thank you for considering my application and I look forward to a favorable response.

Respectfully yours,

S.