Oxford Policy Pod
A bi-weekly policy podcast based out of the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford. It explores pressing policy issues around the globe and is produced by students reading for a Master of Public Policy. The podcast taps into the rich diversity of policy experience and insights of the student body and faculty.
Episodes
Beyond Income: Rethinking Poverty with Sabina Alkire
Is poverty simply about income, or is it about opportunities, health, education, dignity, and the freedom to live the life you value? In this episode, we are joined by Professor Sabina Alkire, Director of the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) at the University of Oxford and one of the pioneers of multidimensional poverty measurement. We talk about her remarkable academic journ
The Politics of Care: A conversation with Belén Villegas & Rossella Ciccia
In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, Belén Tomic sits down with Dr. Belén Villegas Plá and Dr. Rossella Ciccia to talk about care, its many forms, and who bears its weight.Belén Villegas Plá is Lecturer in the Political Economy of Latin America at the Oxford Department of International Development, and Rossella Ciccia is Associate Professor of Social Policy at the Oxford Department of Social
Rethinking Development Aid with Kevin Watkins
In this episode of Policy Pod, Nawaz Khan and Cristian Iftodii sit down with Kevin Watkins, visiting professor at LSE's Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa and former chief executive of Save the Children UK. Having spent three decades moving through Oxfam, the United Nations, the Overseas Development Institute, and the top of the international aid sector, Kevin Watkins has become one of its sharpest
James Robinson on Latin America's Development Challenge, Institutions, and the Nobel Prize
Why do some countries succeed while others remain trapped in cycles of weak institutions and slow development?In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, hosts Cecilia Esteche and Diego Peñaranda speak with Professor James Robinson, 2024 Nobel Memorial Prize laureate in Economic Sciences, Professor at the University of Chicago, and co-author of Why Nations Fail and The Narrow Corridor.The conversati
The Future of Democracy: A Conversation with Maya Tudor
The "Almost Prime Minister" | Pita Limjaroenrat
The "Almost Prime Minister" | Pita LimjaroenratIn this episode of Policy Pod with Deep Dive, Master of Public Policy students Marc Naro and Richard Heydarian sit down with Pita Limjaroenrat, the former leader of Thailand's Move Forward Party and the man widely seen as Thailand's "almost prime minister."Following his party's landmark victory in the 2023 general election, Pita appeared poised to lea
The Role of Pan-African Philanthropy in Financing Governance and Public Policy.
This is a defining conversation on: The Role of Pan-African Philanthropy in Financing Governance and Public Policy.Host: Takudzwa Ngadziore (MPP)Co-host: Lorna Akoacha Enow (MPP)Guest: Briggs Bomba, Director of Programs at TrustAfricaThe conversation is important as: It provides a practical framework for leveraging traditional values such as Ubuntu ( I am because you are) and Harambee (community f
Behind the Feed: Algorithmic Justice, Misogyny and User Rights
In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, Thenu and Jasmine speak with Chanel Contos about the growing influence of social media algorithms on young people, relationships, and public discourse. Known for her advocacy around consent education and sexual violence prevention, Chanel reflects on how digital platforms can both amplify social movements and expose users to harmful online ecosystems.The c
Populism and the Billionaire Backlash | Pepper Culpepper
In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, Master of Public Policy students Felix Wu and Meredith Lehman sit down with Pepper Culpepper — Vice Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government — to discuss his new book, Billionaire Backlash: The Age of Corporate Scandal and How it Could Save Democracy.In Billionaire Backlash, Culpepper and his co-author Taeku Lee argue that scandals centered on corporate
Moving Europe Forward | Margrethe Vestager
In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, Master of Public Policy students Marc Naro and Cristian Iftodii sit down with Margrethe Vestager, former Executive Vice-President of the European Commission and one of Europe’s leading voices on competition and digital policy.The conversation explores some of the defining challenges of our time — from artificial intelligence and climate change to economic
The Future of International Law | A Discussion with Professor Philippa Webb KC
In a time when international law is increasingly being tested, challenged, and at times openly undermined, we speak with Professor Philippa Webb KC about the pressures facing the international legal order and the future of global governance. Drawing on her work across academia, legal practice, and international institutions, she reflects on whether the current moment represents a genuine crisis fo
A Children-Focused Approach to Climate Policy | A Discussion with Alan Stein
In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, MPP students Amal Ali and Isabella Notarpietro speak with Professor Alan Stein, Director of the Children and Climate Initiative and Senior Research Fellow in Global Health and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government. An expert in early childhood development with over 300 scientific journal publications, Alan has worked throughout his career wit
Between Giants: How Small Caribbean States Can Respond to Global Shocks | Hon. Mark Brantley
In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, MPP Student from Saint Lucia in the Caribbean, Rahym R. Augustin-Joseph, sits with Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis, and Leader of the Opposition in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, in the Eastern Caribbean. Premier Brantley serves as Premier of Nevis and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Brantley previo
A Discussion with Renato Godihno: Can Multilateralism end Global Hunger and Poverty
In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, MPP students Cristian Iftodii and Ana Luiza Barbosa speak with Renato Domith Godinho, Director of the Support Mechanism of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. A Brazilian diplomat with over twenty years of experience in multilateral governance, Renato has played a leading role in shaping international development cooperation, including in the r
Can International Law Deliver Justice for Ukraine? with Judge Mykola Gnatovskyy (ECHR)
In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, MPP student Marc Naro sits with Judge Mykola Gnatovskyy, Ukrainian Judge at the European Court of Human Rights.Judge Gnatovskyy was elected to the European Court of Human Rights in June 2022. He previously served as President of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture, as an academic partner of the International Committee of the Red
Politics, Platforms and Public Engagement | A discussion with Hannah Ferguson
In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, MPP students Thenu Herath and Florence Guyomar speak with Hannah Ferguson, co-founder and CEO of Cheek Media Co, an Australian independent news commentary platform reshaping how people engage with politics and culture. Hannah is also the co-host of Big Small Talk and the bestselling author of Bite Back and Taboo. Her work spans journalism, law and media, w
How Knowledge Drives Economic Growth | César Hidalgo
In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, MPP students Diego Peñaranda and Iván Lozano speak with Professor César Hidalgo, a physicist, complexity scientist, and one of the leading thinkers on knowledge and development.Professor Hidalgo is a tenured professor at the Toulouse School of Economics and leads the Center for Collective Learning. He is widely recognized for co-developing the Economic Com
Leading a Multilateral Development Bank in Times of Crisis | Inside EBRD with President Renaud-Basso
🎙️ How to Finance Development and Reconstruction in Times of Crisis?In this new episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, MPP students Marc Naro and Cristian Iftodii sat down with Odile Renaud-Basso at the EBRD headquarters. As the first woman to lead the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and a central figure in Europe’s economic response to the war in Ukraine, she brings a unique perspect
A Career in Service of the Left Behind | A Discussion with Paul Collier
In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, students Marc Naro and Cristian Iftodii sit down with Paul Collier — one of the world's most influential development economists. The conversation traces his journey from studying the poorest countries on earth to asking why communities in wealthy nations are falling behind, and what policymakers can do about it.Paul Collier is Professor of Economics and Pu
The Future of Europe | A Discussion with Nicu Popescu
In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, students Marc Naro and Cristian Iftodii have a wide-ranging discussion with Nicu Popescu — one of Europe's most influential foreign policy thinkers. The conversation explores Europe's future, its place in a shifting global order, and the big strategic questions facing the continent.Nicu Popescu is a political scientist and diplomat who served as Moldova's
Paraguay's Path to Stability and Reform with Minister Carlos Fernandez Valdovinos 🇵🇾
🎙️How does a small open economy build credibility, stability, and sustained growth in a volatile global environment?In this episode, Paraguay’s Minister of Economy and Finance, Carlos Fernández Valdovinos, joins Cecilia Esteche and Billy Blackett to unpack Paraguay’s reform agenda, fiscal consolidation efforts, and investment strategy. He shares insights on institutional reform, crisis resilience,
Building Southeast Asia’s Strongest Economy with Sri Mulyani
In this episode, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Indonesia’s former Minister of Finance, joins Oxford Master’s students Marc Naro and Diego Peñaranda for a conversation on leadership, crisis management, and the strategy behind Indonesia’s economic rise.From navigating global financial shocks to strengthening fiscal discipline and driving long-term growth, she reflects on the hard decisions that shape a nat
Gambling on Development with Stefan Dercon
On the Oxford Policy Pod, Blavatnik School of Government students Marc Naro and Meredith Lehman sit down with Stefan Dercon, Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford. Dercon is also the author of Gambling on Development: Why Some Countries Win and Others Lose. Drawing on insights from his last book, Gambling on Development: Why Some Countries Win and Others Lose, the discussion exp
Paul Krugman on the future of Europe and American politics
In this episode, Marc Naro and Cristian Iftodii host Professor Paul Krugman about the future of Europe, American politics, and China's growth. Paul Krugman is an economist and college professor. In 2008, he won the Nobel Prize for his research on international trade and economic geography. Paul was a New York Times opinion writer from 2000 to 2024 and is now active on Substack.
From Safety to Impact: India’s AI Mission as a Blueprint for the Global Majority with Abhishek Singh
Abhishek Singh is the CEO of the IndiaAI Mission and Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India. A veteran of the 1995 Indian Administrative Services (IAS) batch and an alumnus of IIT Kanpur and Harvard Kennedy School, he has spearheaded some of the world’s largest digital transformations, including DigiLocker, the COVID-19 vaccinati
Changing Education Through International Development Organisations with Emiliana Vegas
Emiliana Vegas is one of Latin America’s leading voices in education policy. Originally from Venezuela, she studied at Harvard and went on to senior roles at the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank, where—as Division Chief of Education—she managed a portfolio of over $3B a year in grants and loans. In this conversation, she reflects on what it really takes to move from evidence to s
Social Protection and Climate Change: Building Resilience and Reducing Vulnerability with Jana Bischler
Jana Bischler is the focal point for social protection and climate change at the International Labour Organization (ILO), where she works with governments worldwide to design systems that protect people from climate shocks and support long-term resilience. From a career in development consulting to shaping global social protection policy, Jana brings both on-the-ground insight and international pe
From Classrooms to Systems: Scaling Foundational Literacy and Numeracy in India with Vinod Karate
Vinod Karate is Project Director for State Reform at the Central Square Foundation where he helps drive India’s landmark NIPUN Bharat Mission to ensure every child can read, write, and count by age ten. From an early career in investment banking to shaping one of the world’s largest foundational learning reforms, Vinod’s journey bridges sharp strategy with deep community engagement. In this e
Climate Policy from the Ground Up: Integrating Indigenous Knowledge, Youth Leadership and Climate Justice with Archana Soreng
From community-led forest conservation in Odisha to negotiating at the United Nations, Archana Soreng embodies how lived experience can reshape global climate policy. An Indigenous climate leader from India’s Kharia tribe, Archana served on the UN Secretary-General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change (2020–2023), is a Skoll World Forum Fellow (2024), and sits on The Rockefeller Foundation’s C
Something's Brewing with Julia
"Something's Brewing" is a laid-back podcast hosted by MPP student Wynsey, where conversations flow freely-just like the drinks. In each episode, a member of the Blavatnik School community joins over a favourite beverage from home to share personal stories, career reflections, and the life that happens beyond policy. In this episode, Wynsey chats with Julia, an MPP student from Uganda, about the “
Politics of Climate Activism - A Possible Utopia
Possible Utopia is the podcast exploring the intersection of politics, gender, and leadership to imagine a more inclusive future.In this episode, we speak with Vanessa Nakate, Ugandan climate activist, founder of the Rise Up movement, and author of A Bigger Picture. She shares her journey from launching Fridays for Future in Uganda to amplifying African voices in the fight for climate justice.We d
Financing for Gender and Climate Impact
Possible Utopia is the podcast where we explore the intersection of politics, gender, and leadership to imagine a better world. From addressing challenges of safety and well-being in public life to uncovering the motivations that drive individuals, we look at the stories behind those shaping our societies. Together, we take on difficult questions, confront systemic barriers, and reimagine a more i
The Future of Care
In this episode, MPP students Helen Orjuela and Ana Osorio explore one of the most pressing yet often overlooked public policy issues: careThey are joined by Diana Rodríguez Franco, Special Advisor on Gender and Diversity to the Inter-American Development Bank and former Secretary for Women in Bogotá, where she led the creation of the city’s internationally recognised Care System - Manzanas del Cu
Between Evidence and Action: Rethinking How Education Reforms Really Happen
Nikunj Agarwal is a public policy practitioner, an Oxford MPP alumna, and currently the Strategic Stakeholder Country Lead for the What Works Hub for Global Education at the British CouncilIn this episode, he reflects on bridging the gap between evidence and policymaking, the power of listening over telling, and what it takes to make education reform work in the real world.From cost-effective solu
Empowering Communities Through Environmental Justice
🌱Empowering Communities through Climate Justice🎙️In this episode, we are joined by Alexandra Gallo, a policymaker specialised in environmental justice and climate resilience. From working on California's Transformative Climate Communities programme to implementing the largest environmental justice grant in US history under the Inflation Reduction Act, Alexandra shares her journey and challenges. W
Intersections: Race, Ethnicity & the Global Fight Against Gender-Based Violence
In this episode, Madison Jennings, Glória Almeida da Silva and Famin Ahmed explore how race and ethnicity shape the experience of gender-based violence around the world.Together, they discuss the legal and systemic barriers women of color face, the narratives that silence survivors, and the grassroots and policy efforts pushing for justice. Drawing on their work in Australia, Brazil, and the U.S.,
Shaping the AI we want: A conversation with Gabriela Ramos
🎙️ Shaping the AI we want: A conversation with Gabriela RamosIn this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, MPP students Melissa Muñoz (Dominican Republic) and Gloria Almeida (Brazil) sit down with Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences at UNESCO and one of the world’s foremost voices in ethical artificial intelligenceTogether, they explore what it means to govern AI n
Something's Brewing with Shinnosuke and Mamiko
"Something’s Brewing" is a laid-back podcast hosted by MPP student Wynsey, where conversations flow freely—just like the drinks. In each episode, a member of the Blavatnik School community joins over a favorite beverage from home to share personal stories, career reflections, and the life that happens beyond policy.In this episode, Wynsey sits down with Mamiko and Shinnosuke, two MPP students from
Busyness, Burnout, and Boundaries in Public Service
This episode takes a step back from policy topics to dive into a pervasive phenomenon in public service work: constant busyness and burnout. Ronan Harrington, an international speaker, expert on burnout and resilience, and MPP alumnus, joins MPP student Nate for a conversation on why burnout is so pervasive in public service careers and what we can do about it.The conversation explores:• Wh
Leading Boldly: Education, Power and Purpose with Siviwe Gwarube, Minister of Basic Education, South Africa
Siviwe Gwarube is South Africa’s Minister of Basic Education and one of the country’s youngest-ever Cabinet members. A fierce advocate for gender equity, evidence-based policymaking, and the foundational right to education, she brings a new voice and vision to the continent’s education leadership. In this episode, hosted by MPP students María Turner and Bautista Fazio, Minister Gwarube reflec
Nudging Policy: How Behavioral Science Shapes Better Decisions
Carlos Scartascini is a global leader in behavioral economics and its real-world application to public policy. As Deputy Chief Economist and head of the Behavioral Economics Group at the Inter-American Development Bank, he’s led research and projects that use behavioral science to tackle everyday policy challenges—like boosting tax compliance, improving public health, and building trust in governm
Governing Education: Lessons from Leading National and Global Education Systems with Jaime Saavedra
Jaime Saavedra is one of the world’s most influential education reformers. Former Minister of Education in Peru and now Director of Human Development for Latin America and the Caribbean at the World Bank, he has led and advised some of the region’s most ambitious efforts to improve learning outcomes at scale. In this episode, hosted by Helen Orjuela Tacha and Bautista Fazio, Jaime unpacks wha
Something's Brewing with Nami and Kenneth
"Something’s Brewing" is a laid-back podcast hosted by MPP student Wynsey, where conversations flow freely—just like the drinks. In each episode, a member of the Blavatnik School community joins over a favorite beverage from home to share personal stories, career reflections, and the life that happens beyond policy.In this episode, Wynsey sits down with Nami and Kenneth, two MPP students from Mong
What can public policy learn from literature?: A conversation with Colombian novelist Juan Gabriel Vásquez
Juan Gabriel Vásquez has a central preoccupation: the past —a theme that has shaped much of his fiction. His latest novel, Los nombres de Feliza, published in January, explores the life of Colombian sculptor Feliza Bursztyn, who was politically persecuted and forced into exile during the Cold War. In this episode of Oxford Policy Pod, the acclaimed Colombian author —winner of the 2011 Alfaguara Pr
A Direct Take on Democracy’s Biggest Challenges with Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo
Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo is one of Spain’s most prominent political voices. A historian and journalist, she is a Member of the Spanish Parliament and a staunch advocate for democracy, freedom, and constitutionalism. Educated at Oxford, where she studied under Sir John H. Elliott, she transitioned from academia to journalism at El Mundo before stepping into politics. In this episode, hosted
Sacrifice Zones: The Price of Progress?
🎙️🌎 Sacrifice Zones: The Price of Progress? In this episode of the Oxford Policy Podcast, we sit down with legal scholar Iza Linazasoro to uncover the harsh realities of sacrifice zones—communities forced to bear the cost of industrial development at the expense of their health and environment. Featuring the Quintero Bay case in Chile, Linazasoro highlights the environmental, social, and health im
The challenges of freedom of expression in times of democratic crisis with Martin Baron
Martin Baron led two of the world's most important newsrooms, those of The Boston Globe and The Washington Post. He was at the former when the newspaper exposed the network of cover-ups of pedophile Catholic priests in the Archdiocese of Boston. At the latter, he was present during the Edward Snowden leaks about the National Security Agency (NSA)'s spying activities and during Trump’s first presid
Possible Utopia - Gendered View of Politics
Releasing Possible Utopia – the podcast where we explore the intersection of politics, gender, and leadership to imagine a better world. From navigating challenges of safety and well-being in public life to uncovering the motivations that drive them, we’ll delve into the stories behind the individuals shaping our societies. Together, we’ll tackle the tough questions, confront systemic issues, and
Something's Brewing with Juan Pablo
"Something's Brewing" is a relaxed podcast series hosted by MPP student Wynsey. Each episode features a guest from the Blavatnik School of Government, sharing candid stories about their journey, experiences, and life beyond policy—all over a favorite drink from their home. In this episode, we hear about the life of Juan Pablo, a fellow MPP candidate from Colombia, as he reflects on his upbringing,
From Science to Government: Leading Climate Action with Minister Maisa Rojas
🌍🎙️ How does a world-renowned climate scientist become a leading environmental policymaker? In this episode of the Oxford Policy Podcast, we sit down with Chile's Minister of the Environment, Maisa Rojas, to explore her journey from Oxford's labs to global climate negotiations.👩🔬From Lead Author of IPCC's Assessment Reports researching paleoclimate to shaping Chile's climate policies and securing
What are the threats to Democracy? Global Report on Democracy
What are the threats to Democracy?In this episode, Helen Orjuela and Marie Vanolli are joined by Dr. Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary-General of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, to discuss the global state of democracy.Together, they explore critical issues, including the erosion of freedoms like press and expression, the rise of the far right and its implications f
Something's Brewing with Binka
"Something's Brewing" is a relaxed podcast series hosted by MPP student Wynsey. Each episode features a guest from the Blavatnik School of Government, sharing candid stories about their journey, experiences, and life beyond policy—all over a favorite drink from their home. In this episode, we hear about the life of Binka, a fellow MPP candidate from Slovakia - her childhood, career ups and downs a
The Human Side of Policy-Making with Marcos Peña and Francisco Sánchez Moreno
What does it mean to lead in the field of public policy? How do leaders navigate uncertainty and social pressures when making key decisionsIn this inaugural episode, we sit down with two special guests—Marcos Peña, Former Chief of Staff of Argentina (2015-2019), and Francisco Sánchez Moreno, a leadership expert with extensive experience in the public sector. Together, they offer unique insights in
The Mexican Judicial Overhaul: resisting democratic backsliding
Mexico is undergoing a constitutional and institutional crisis that is eroding its already fragile democracy. This is due to a recently approved constitutional reform that jeopardises checks and balances, the division of powers, the rule of law, judicial independence and democracy itself. (For more context of this reform, please read this article by Mariana De Lucio on the Blavatnik School of Gove
John Roome on Global Development, Leadership, Climate Action, and Public Service
In this episode of the Oxford Policy Podcast, MPP student and Australian Rhodes Scholar Tahlia Smith sits down with John Roome, who recently retired after a distinguished 35-year career at the World Bank. A fellow Oxford alum, John reflects on how his time at Oxford and the Rhodes Scholarship shaped his path to international public service and leadership within the World Bank, one of the world’s m
Navigating Djibouti’s Future: Youth Empowerment, Diplomacy, and Development with Haibado Abdoulkader Yacin
In this episode of the Oxford Policy Podcast, host Nick Fabbri sits down with Haibado Abdoulkader Yacin, a Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholar and Master of Public Policy student at Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government. Haibado, a dedicated public servant from Djibouti, shares her incredible personal story and journey from Djibouti, in the Horn of Africa, to studying and working across three con
Gargi Sharma Goel on Economic Policy, India, and her Journey at Oxford
In this episode, Nick Fabbri speaks with Gargi Sharma Goel about her life and career in New Delhi, India, her work in the Ministry of Finance and Indian Revenue Service, key economic and tax policy interests, her journey to the Master of Public Policy at Oxford, balancing parenthood with studies, and the happiest memories from her time in the UK.***Gargi Sharma Goel is career civil servant, part o
Christian Meyer on Economics, Behavioural Science, and Technology as tools for Positive Impacts on Livelihoods and the Labour Market
In this episode, Oluwatamilore Oni speaks with Dr Christian Johannes Meyer, the Director of the Future of Development programme at the Oxford Martin School. Christian’s career spans research and programming focused on livelihoods and labour market interventions for vulnerable groups at the University of Oxford, the World Bank and the Center for Global Development. From this rich background, he sh
Tony Abbott on Service, Politics, Democracy, and Australia
In this episode, Nick Fabbri speaks with The Hon. Tony Abbott AC, Former Prime Minister of Australia. They discuss:The influence of the Jesuits, Oxford, and Father Paul Mankowski on Mr. Abbott's life and leadership qualitiesThe art of effective opposition and developing alternative policies for the nationAchievements and regrets of the Abbott Government in officeThe role of government in fostering
Adenike Adeyemi on the interplay between Entrepreneurship, Policymaking, Nonprofits, and Artificial intelligence in driving Economic Development
In this episode, Oluwatamilore Oni speaks with Adenike Adeyemi, CEO of FATE Foundation – Nigeria’s foremost business incubator and accelerator program set up to enable aspiring and emerging Nigerian entrepreneurs to start, grow and scale their businesses.Adenike shares highlights from her more than two decades of experience in the social impact space, with a specific focus on entrepreneurs and the
Anushka Jadhav and Rafaela Viana on the 2024 Education World Forum and Education Policy
In this episode, Nick Fabbri speaks with fellow MPP students Anushka Jadhav and Rafaela Viana about the 2024 Education World Forum, their personal education journeys in India and Brazil respectively, Education Policy in Oxford, and some of the major education policy issues and developments globally. Anushka and Rafaela also reflect on their time at Oxford and in the 2023-24 MPP cohort, and offer
Jupneet Singh on Public Service, Healthcare, Leadership, and Kindness
This episode features Jupneet Singh, an MPP student, Rhodes Scholar, and 2nd Lieutenant in the US Air Force. It covers:Jupeet’s personal story before coming to Oxford, including her time at MIT and volunteering at high schoolJupneet’s Sikh heritage and cultureJoining the US Air Force and Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) while at universityQuestions of identity within the US military, and th
Navigating the Unthinkable: Manal Fouani on UNDP's Mission in Ukraine During the Russian Invasion
In this episode of the Oxford Policy Podcast, Mykhailo Kiktenko speaks with Manal Fouani, the UNDP Chief of Country Support and Oversight for the Regional Bureau of Arab States. In 2022, Manal served as the UNDP Resident Representative ad interim in Ukraine, where she led the organization's response during the full-scale Russian invasion.We discuss her leadership in navigating this crisis, transit
A Life in International Law: a Conversation with Dapo Akande
In this episode, Erik Kucherenko speaks with Professor Dapo Akande, Oxford Chichele Professor of Public International Law, Co-Director of the Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict, a Member of the UN International Law Commission. We discuss how the International Law Commission functions behind the scenes, how Professor Akande prepares for pleadings in the International Court of
Anindita Sita Dewi shares her MPP journey and welcomes the 2024/25 Class
Anindita (Dita) is a member of the 2023/24 MPP Cohort . In this episode, host Oluwatamilore Oni and Dita discuss:Dita's experience at the Central Bank of Indonesia and how her experiences during the MPP have influenced her new perspectives on life, work and policyHow to prioritise activities and times in the swirl of OxfordDita's top tips for incoming students to maximise their time at the Blavatn
Policy Matters: Getting results for Edo State with His Excellency Governor Obaseki
His Excellency Governor Godwin Obaseki of Nigeria’s Edo State joins MPP student Mobayo Oguntunde to discuss the policy and politics behind some of his signature achievements, creating an environment for results and how Nigeria might address some emerging policy challenges.
Lord Christopher Patten on Oxford and Higher Education, Hong Kong and China, and the Future of Conservatism
Lord Christopher Patten is the Chancellor of the University of Oxford, having served in the role since 2003. Lord Patten was the 28th and final British Governor of Hong Kong, who oversaw its handover to the People's Republic of China in 1997, symbolically marking the end of the British Empire. Lord Patten was also a Conservative Member of the UK Parliament from 1979-1992, where, as Conservative Pa
Building State Capacity: Ukraine’s National Agency on Corruption Prevention
In this conversation, Erik Kucherenko and Artem Shaipov speak with Oleksandr Novikov, Head of Ukraine’s National Agency on Corruption Prevention between 2020-2024, about his experience of building state capacity.We discuss the implementation of Objectives and Key Results methodology, business school training for civil servants working on anti-corruption, and the role of organisational mission and
Damien Shannon on Universities, Education, and Equity
Damien Shannon is a DPhil candidate in Economic and Social History at New College, Oxford. In this episode, Nick and Damien speak about:Damien's experience in suing Oxford University over its admissions criteria, which initially prevented him from taking up his degree place on financial groundsEducational access and equityDamien's current DPhil research on the abolition of tenure at British univer
The Morality of Capitalism
Denisse Salazar hosted Emeritus Professor Colin Mayer to delve into philosophical and moral discussions surrounding capitalism in modern society. They discussed why capitalism has persisted despite several attempts to diminish it and how its survival represents its moral superiority in comparison to other economic systems.***Colin Mayer is Emeritus Professor of Management Studies at the Blavatnik
George Brandis on Liberalism, Australia, Security, and Geopolitics
In this episode, Nick Fabbri speaks with George Brandis, former Australian Attorney-General and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. They discuss George's time at Oxford and Magdalen College as a law student, his career in the law, the philosophical traditions of liberalism and conservatism and how they might be applied to policy issues in the 21st century, some major security and social polic
Bob Carr on Politics, Foreign Affairs, Love, and Grief
In this episode, Nick Fabbri speaks with Bob Carr, a former Australian Foreign Minister and long-serving Premier of New South Wales. They discuss politics and embarking on a political career, the art of good policymaking and some of the major policy reforms of the Carr Labor Government, international affairs and security issues, Australia and its natural beauty, and the love and grief that Bob has
What it's like to be a woman in politics
In this episode, Denisse Salazar speaks with Karen Sichel, an alumna of the Blavatnik School of Government, about women's rights, gender equality, politics, and leadership.Karen Sichel is an Ecuadorean lawyer, and served as Undersecretary of Regulatory Affairs in the Ecuadorean Presidency in 2023. Karen was also at the forefront of Ecuador's 2023 constitutional referendum.
Oleksandra Matviichuk: Ukrainian Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights defender
In this episode, MPP students Erik Kucherenko and Kseniia Velychko talk to Oleksandra Matviichuk, a Ukrainian human rights lawyer and civil rights defender, whose organisation Centre for Civil Liberties (CCL) won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022. In an incredibly emotional and sincere episode, Erik, Kseniia, and Oleksandra discuss the motivation behind Oleksandra and the CCL's fight for human rights,
Lord Michael Heseltine on a Century of British Politics, Leadership, Foreign Affairs, and Gardening
In this conversation, Nick Fabbri speaks with Lord Michael Heseltine, former UK Deputy Prime Minister and leading figure in the governments of Margaret Thatcher and John Major. In this interview, we reflect on Lord Heseltine's love of gardening, his time at Oxford University and presidency of the Oxford Union, his political career and lessons in leadership, his approach to public policy solutions
Kaya Axelsson on net-zero policy
In this episode, we are joined by Kaya Axelsson, Research Fellow and Head of Policy and Engagement at Oxford Net Zero, an interdisciplinary climate change mitigation research programme at the University of Oxford. Kaya reflects on her work in the field, common challenges of net-zero policymaking for governments and non-state actors, what makes a good net-zero strategy, and how universities ca
Women Saving Women: How to Keep Up the Fight Against Gender Violence in Mexico
Mariana de Lucio, a Mexican lawyer and an MPP student, joined us to delve into the complex reality of being a woman in Mexico and confront the pervasive issue of gender violence plaguing the country. We explored the alarming statistics surrounding gender violence in Mexico and discussed the urgent need for action from both civil society and government entities. Throughout our conversation, Mariana
Kostiantyn Koshelenko on digital transformation in social policy, Ukraine’s achievements in e-governance, and his new book on management in times of war
Erik Kucherenko talks with Kostiantyn Koshelenko, Deputy Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine responsible for digital transformation.We talk about the importance of digital transformation in public sector, Ukraine’s achievements in e-governance, including Diia application, which Ukraine now helps export to Columbia, Kosovo, and Zambia. We also discuss how innovations in social policy helped Mr. Ko
Mychailo Wynnyckyj on higher education reform in Ukraine, and overcoming resistance and implementing changes
Erik Kucherenko talks with Mychailo Wynnyckyj, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine responsible for higher education reform.We discuss best practices in the domain of higher education, compare different higher education systems and their advantages. We examine the details of Mr. Wynnyckyj’s and his team’s reform agenda, ranging from merger of universities to harnessing economic meth
Mriya Aid: a trailblazing NGO helping Ukraine demine its land
Erik Kucherenko talks with Lubomyr Chabursky, Lesya Granger, Mark Paine, founders of Mriya Aid, a Canadian NGO that has provided close to $10 million of non-lethal military aid to Ukraine.In the first part of the conversation (00:00-1:01:03), we discuss how Mriya Aid has succeeded in winning trust of its donors and of the Canadian government, how it evolved in the last 2 years and how it manages t
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