Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice
These podcasts are recordings from the Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice lecture series, a visiting lecture series coordinated by Professor James Putzel and Dr Laura Mann at the LSE Department of International Development. The series provides students and guests with insights into the practical world of international development, covering topics from climate change policy to humanitarian crises. Renowned guest lecturers share their expertise and invite discussion on a range of issues.
Episodes
S7 E2: Age of Security: The rise of a global obsession
Age of Security: The rise of a global obsessionFriday 16 October 2026Speaker: Professor Ruben Andersson, University of OxfordDiscussant: Professor David Keen, LSEThis event is part of the Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice guest lecture series hosted by the International Development Department at LSE.
S7 E1: On the role of Law in African health data futures
On the role of Law in African health data futuresSpeaker: Professor Sharifah Sekalala, University of WarwickDiscussant: Sonali Silva, LSE
S6, E8: Between trade wars, pink tariffs and green trade: (how) can we promote the trade-environment-development nexus today?
Between trade wars, pink tariffs and green trade: (how) can we promote the trade-environment-development nexus today?Speaker: Silke Trommer, University of ManchesterDiscussant: Kathy Hochstetler, Professor of International Development at LSE
S6 E7: The Parent Trap: School Choice and Majoritarian Politics in India
The Parent Trap: School Choice and Majoritarian Politics in IndiaSpeaker: Ritika Arora, PhD candidate, LSEDiscussant: Laura Mann, LSE ID
S6 E6: Lives Counted: Measuring Mortality Through Revolution, Epidemic and War in Sudan
Lives Counted: Measuring Mortality Through Revolution, Epidemic and War in SudanSpeaker: Maysoon Dahab, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineDiscussant: Rosanna Le Voir, PhD candidate in Demography, LSEChair: Professor Laura MannThis event is part of the Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice guest lecture series hosted by the International Development Departm
S6 E5: Historical Roots of the Crisis in Gaza
Historical Roots of the Crisis in GazaSpeakers: Anne Irfan, lecturer in Interdisciplinary Race, Gender and Postcolonial Studies at UCL | Myfanwy James, Assistant Professor in International Development, LSEChair: Professor James PutzelThis event is part of the Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice guest lecture series hosted by the International Development Department
S6 E4: A feminist agenda for social change: from deregulated markets to the wellbeing economy
A feminist agenda for social change: from deregulated markets to the wellbeing economySpeakers: Naila Kabeer, is Professor Emeritus at the Department of International Development, LSE | Diane Elson, is Emeritus Professor of Sociology, University of Essex | Ania Plomien, is an Associate Professor in Gender and Social Science, LSEChair: Professor James PutzelThis event is part of the Cuttin
S6 E3: Infrastructure and Influence: China’s Digital Presence in the Global South and it's Developmental Impact
Infrastructure and Influence: China’s Digital Presence in the Global South and Its Developmental ImpactSpeaker: Tin El-Kadi, is a political economy researcher, OxfordDiscussant: Kenddrick Chan, Head of Technology and International Affairs project, LSE IDEASChair: James Putzel, LSE ID This event is part of the Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice guest lecture series
S6 E2: Rethinking the future of development aid
Rethinking the future of development aidSpeakers: Clare Short is a British politician who served as Secretary of State for International Development from 1997 to 2003Kevin Watkins is a former CEO of Save the Children UK and is a visiting professor at the Firoz Lalji Institute for AfricaDeborah Doane is an ID alum and the Author of ‘the INGO Problem’ and a partner of Rights CoLabChair: Jam
S6 E1: A New New International Economic Order (NNIEO) for a New Global Economy
A New New International Economic Order (NNIEO) for a New Global EconomySpeaker: Ha-Joon Chang, is an economist, author and lecturer on institutional economics and development, SOASDiscussant: Richard Kozul-Wright, is a development economist, SOASChair: James Putzel, LSE ID This event is part of the Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice guest lecture series hosted by t
S5, E8 Authoritarian Sanctuaries: Refugee Politics in East Africa
Authoritarian Sanctuaries: Refugee Politics in East AfricaSpeaker: Alexander Betts is Professor of Forced Migration and International Affairs, and Senior Fellow in Politics at Brasenose College, at the University of Oxford. Discussant: Arbie Baguios, LSE IDChair: Laura Mann, LSE ID This event is part of the Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice guest lecture series ho
S5, E7 Competition, trade, and sustainability in agri-food markets in East & Southern Africa: a comparison of citrus and soy
Competition, trade, and sustainability in agri-food markets in East & Southern Africa: a comparison of citrus and soySpeaker: Simon Roberts is Visiting Professor of Economics at the University of Johannesburg and Director of the Centre for Competition Economics, as well as Visiting Associate Professor at Wits UniversityDiscussant: David Luke, LSE IDChair: Laura Mann, LSE ID This event
S6, E6 A very light shade of green? Is the green transition perpetuating inequality?
A very light shade of green? Is the green transition perpetuating inequality?Speaker: Annalisa Prizzon is a Principal Research Fellow at ODI. Her research interests are primarily focused on the reform of the architecture of development cooperation, as well as the policies and strategies of multilateral development banksAmir Lebdioui is an Associate Professor of the Political Economy of De
S5, E5 The Sahelian Question: The ultra-periphery in a changing world
The Sahelian Question: The ultra-periphery in a changing worldSpeaker: Rahmane Idrissa teaches international cooperation at the University of Niamey. His research focuses on the political economy of democratization, political Islam and the problems of the integration processes in the West African region.Discussant: Aoife McCullough, LSE IDChair: Laura Mann, LSE ID This event is part of th
S5, E4 What's at stake in the US-China Trade War?
What's at stake in the US-China Trade War?Speakers: Elizabeth Ingleson: is Assistant Professor Department of International History and is the author of Made in China: When US-China Interests Converged to Transform Global TradeYeling Tan: is Professor of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government. She is also a non-resident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International
S5, E3 Re-examining the History of the Industrial Revolution
Re-examining the History of the Industrial RevolutionSpeaker: Michael Mann is Distinguished Research Professor of Sociology, UCLA and the author of The Sources of Social Power which covers the history of power in human societies from prehistory to the present.Discussant: James Putzel, LSE IDChair: Laura Mann, LSE ID This event is part of the Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking &am
S5, E2 The crisis of peace-keeping
The crisis of peace-keepingSpeaker: Marsha Henry is the Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton Chair in Women, Peace, Security and Justice at the Mitchell InstituteDiscussant: Myfanwy James, LSE IDChair: Laura Mann, LSE ID This event is part of the Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice guest lecture series hosted by the International Development Department at LSE.
S5, E1 British Aid in a Changing World
British Aid in a Changing WorldSpeakers: Clare Short is a British politician who served as Secretary of State for International Development from 1997 to 2003Kevin Watkins is a former CEO of Save the Children UK and is a visiting professor at the Firoz Lalji Institute for AfricaChair: Laura Mann, LSEThis event recording is part of the Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Pract
S4, E14 What the Gene-Editing Revolution Means For Rural Welfare, Global Futures and Social Justice
What the Gene-Editing Revolution Means For Rural Welfare, Global Futures and Social JusticeSpeaker: Ronald Herring, Cornell University Discussant: Aniket Aga, SUNY BuffaloChair: James Putzel, LSE
S4, E13 Industrial Policy Challenges in the Developing World
'Industrial Policy Challenges in the Developing World' Speakers: Arkebe Oquaby, Gov of EthiopiaRichard Kozul-Wright, UNCTAD Chair: Laura Mann, LSE
S4, E12 The debt and climate change precipice: How can the global majority cope?
'The debt and climate change precipice: How can the global majority cope?'Speakers: Jayati Ghosh, AmherstNdongo Samba Sylla, International Development Economics AssociatesKevin Watkins, LSEChair: James Putzel, LSE
S4, E11 Bringing Cyberspace Down to Earth in China: From smart-cities to village digital projects
'Bringing Cyberspace Down to Earth in China: From smart-cities to village digital projects'Speaker: Hong Yu, Mayling Birney Scholar from Zhejiang UniversityDiscussant: David Soskice, LSEChair: Laura Mann, LSE
S4, E10 Slavery and British Development
'Slavery and British Development'.Speakers: Bronwen Everill, Cambridge University Jennifer Adam, Bank of England. Chair: Laura Mann, LSE
S4, E9 Guest lecture on Palestine
'Guest lecture on Palestine'.Speaker: Rafeef Ziadah, King's College London Discussant: Mai Taha, LSEChair: James Putzel, LSE
S4, E8 Development or Dependence?: China's Investment and development finance in Africa
'Development or Dependence?: China's Investment and development finance in Africa'. Speakers: Keyu Jin, LSEYunnan Chen, Overseas Development InstituteWeiwei Chen, Open UniversityChair: Tin Hinane El Kadi, LSE
S4, E7 The Latin American Left: Opportunities, challenges, and setbacks
The Latin American Left: Opportunities, challenges, and setbacksSpeakers: Ana Karine Pereira, Universidade de BrasíliaGeoff Goodwin, Leeds UniversityMelany Cruz, Leicester UniversityChair: James Putzel, LSE
S4, E6 Gender and Work in Global Value Chains: Capturing the gains?
Gender and Work in Global Value Chains: Capturing the gains?Speaker: Stephanie Barrientos, Manchester UniversityDiscussant: Kate Meagher, LSEChair: Laura Mann, LSE
S4, E5 Making Anti-Corruption Real: A strategy for feasible reform in adverse contexts
Making Anti-Corruption Real: A strategy for feasible reform in adverse contexts.Speakers: Mushtaq Khan and Pallavi Roy, SOASDiscussant: Jonathan Di John, SOASChair: James Putzel, LSE
S4, E4 The Russia-Ukraine War: Consequences for global security and development
The Russia-Ukraine War: Consequences for global security and development.Panel: Mark Lowcock, UN, UKYuliya Yurchenko, Greenwich UniversityAnna Matveeva, King's College LondonDavid Luke, LSEChair: James Putzel, LSE
S4, E3 In search of repair: The necessity of community development to mental health improvements in contexts of adversity
In search of repair: The necessity of community development to mental health improvements in contexts of adversity.Speaker: Rochelle Burgess, University College LondonDiscussant: Philipa Mladovsky, LSEChair: Laura Mann, LSE
S4, E2 Confronting multiple Crises: A Conversation with Ha-Joon Chang on the State of the world economy
Professor Ha-Joon Chang and Professor James Putzel discuss the state of the world economy. Speaker: Ha-Joon Chang, SOASChair: James Putzel, LSE
S4, E1 Book launch: Foreign Aid and its Unintended Consequences
Dirk-Jan Koch and Clare Short discuss Dirk-Jan Koch's new book 'Foreign aid and its unintended consequences' (Open access). Foreign aid and international development frequently bring with it a range of unintended consequences, both negative and positive. This book delves into these consequences, providing a fresh and comprehensive guide to understanding and addressing them.Speaker: Dirk-J
S3, E5 Panel on Platforms for deliberation or disinformation? social media and development
This panel examines the record of digital technologies and asks what we might do to re-engineer them to fulfil their early promise.Fibre optic internet cables have now connected almost every part of the world into a giant web of networks. Pundits once claimed this infrastructure would allow everyone to raise her voice, speak her mind, learn from others and hold authorities to account. A d
S3, E4 Jayati Ghosh on Why Inequality is the Basic Driver of the Climate Crisis
National and global approaches to climate change alleviation are very inadequate because they ignore the important role played by wealth, income and consumption inequalities. Reducing these will be essential for humanity to meet the climate change — and there are feasible ways to do this.SpeakerJayati Ghosh taught economics at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi for nearly 35 years, an
S3,E3 Naomi Hossain on The Popular Politics of 21st Century Food and Fuel Riots
Development studies frames food and fuel riots as the crowd response to the stimulus of price changes, as indicators of impact of economic shocks or policy reforms. In this dashboard view of the world, the masses respond automatically to spikes in the price of gas or bread, sending signals to governments and the international community that inflation is out of control, and Something Must
S3,E2 Dr Rafeef Ziadah - Working Palestine: COVID-19, labour and de-development in Palestine
This presentation explores the impact of the pandemic on workers across four key sectors of the Palestinian economy: health, education, agriculture, and construction. As with elsewhere around the world, Palestinian workers have experienced multiple challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic and its associated mitigation measures. In the occupied Palestinian territories however, it unfolded i
S3,E1 Ha-Joon Chang – Economics vs Science Fiction – what can each learn from the other?
Economics and science fiction share many interrelations that are rarely recognised.Firstly, a lot of economics is science fiction. Many economists believe in the fiction that they are practising ‘science’, while many also believe in the fiction that progress in ‘science’ (and thus technology) is the solution to virtually all economic problems. Saying that much of economics is science fict
S2,E13 Isabella Weber – How China Escaped Shock Therapy: The Market Reform Debate
Isabella Weber on How China Escaped Shock Therapy: The Market Reform Debate. The lecture is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
S2,E12 Lise Grande – Peacebuilding in Today's World
Lise Grande on Reflections on Peacebuilding in Today's World. The lecture is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
S2,E11 Irungu Houghton – Human rights organising in Africa during a global pandemic
Irungu Houghton on Human rights organising in Africa during a global pandemic: Trends and Insights. The lecture is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
S2,E10 Tasneem Essop – Outcomes of COP26 and Where Next on Climate?
Tasneem Essop on Outcomes of COP26 and where next on Climate? The lecture is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
S2,E9 Terhas Clark and Mosharraf Hossain – Disability, Development, Rights and Inclusion
Terhas Clark and Mosharraf Hossain on Disability, Development, Rights and Inclusion. The lecture is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
S2,E8 Ingrid Srinath – COVID-19, Corporatisation and Closing Space: The Triple Threat to Civil Society in India
Ingrid Srinath on COVID-19, Corporatisation and Closing Space: The Triple Threat to Civil Society in India. The lecture is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
S2,E7 Agnes Kalibata – Paradigm Shifts in Food Systems
Agnes Kalibata on Paradigm shifts in food systems. The lecture is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
S2,E6 Jayati Ghosh – Access to Vaccines and the Limiting Role of Intellectual Property Rights and Pharma Monopolies
Jayati Ghosh on Access to vaccines and the limiting role of intellectual property rights and pharma monopolies. The lecture is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
S2,E5 Mushtaq Khan – Making Anti-Corruption Effective: A New Approach
Mushtaq Khan on Making Anti-Corruption Effective: A New Approach. The lecture is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
S2,E4 Clare Short – What's wrong with Aid?
Clare Short on What's wrong with Aid? The lecture is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
S2,E3 Gabriel Palma – Why the Rich Stay Rich (no matter what)
Guest lecturer, Gabriel Palma joins us to talk to us about "Why the Rich Stay Rich (no matter what)". The lecture is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
S2, E2 Ha-Joon Chang – The Political Economy of Parasite (the movie)
Ha-Joon Chang on The Political Economy of Parasite (the movie). The lecture is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
S2, E1 The Implosion of the Afghan State: What next for women and the nation?
Antonio Giustozzi, Deniz Kandiyoti, Graeme Smith, Pashtana Durrani and Dr. Orzala Nemat guest lecture panel on The implosion of the Afghan State: what next for women and the nation? The lecture is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
S1, E13 Mariana Mazzucato – A Mission Oriented Approach to Stakeholder Value
Guest lecturer, Mariana Mazzucato joins us from London to talk to us about "A Mission Oriented Approach to Stakeholder Value". The lecture is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
S1, E12 Kate Raworth – Doughnut Economics: turning a radical idea into irresistible practice
Guest lecturer, Kate Raworth joins us from Oxford to talk to us about "Doughnut Economics: turning a radical idea into irresistible practice.". The lecture is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
S1, E11 Yuen Yuen Ang – Unbundling Corruption: Why it Matters and How to Do It
Guest lecturer, Yuen Yuen Ang joins us from Michigan to talk to us about "Unbundling Corruption: Why it Matters and How to Do It". The lecture is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
S1, E10 Akosua Adomako Ampofo – Decolonising Academia
Guest lecturer, Akosua Adomako Ampofo joins us from Accra to talk to us about "Decolonising Academia". The lecture is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
S1, E9 Ha-Joon Chang – Building Pro-Developmental Multilateralism – Towards a ‘New’ New International Economic Order
Guest lecturer, Ha-Joon Chang joins us from Cambridge to talk to us about "Building Pro-Developmental Multilateralism – Towards a ‘New’ New International Economic Order". The lecture is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
S1, E8 Danny Quah – Global Power Shift to Asia: Great Power Competition in the Marketplace for World Order
Guest lecturer, Danny Quah joins us from Singapore to talk to us about "Global Power Shift to Asia: Great Power Competition in the Marketplace for World Order". The lecture is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
S1, E7 Clare Short – Reflecting on the demise of DfID
Guest lecturer, Clare Short joins us to speak to us about "Reflecting on the demise of DfID". The lecture part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
S1, E6 Nora Lustig – Inequality in Latin America: Markets, Covid-19 and Policies
Guest lecturer, Nora Lustig joins us from Washington DC to talk to us about "Inequality in Latin America: Markets, Covid-19 and Policies". The lecture is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
S1, E5 Jimi Adesina – Why Development and Transformative Social Policy Matter: Lessons of COVID-19 in Africa
Guest lecturer, Jimi Adesina joins us from Pretoria to talk to us about "Why Development and Transformative Social Policy Matter: Lessons of COVID-19 in Africa". The lecture is in honour of Prof Thandika Mkandawire and is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development.
S1, E4 Branko Milanovic – Capitalism Alone: The Future of the System that Rules the World
Guest lecturer, Branko Milanovic joins us from New York to talk to us about "The Future of the System that Rules the World". The lecture is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
S1, E3 Panel on China in Africa
Guest lecturers, Deborah Brautigam; Folashade Soule-Kohndou and Shirley Ze Yu talk to us about "China in Africa". The lecture is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
S1, E2 Saleemul Huq – Human Induced Climate Change: Dealing with Loss & Damage
Guest lecturer, Saleemul Huq joins us from Dhaka to talk to us about "Human Induced Climate Change: Dealing with loss and damage". The lecture is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
S1, E1 Jayati Ghosh: The Pandemic and the Indian government’s response
Guest lecturer, Jayati Ghosh joins us from New Delhi to talk to us about "The Pandemic and the Indian government’s response". The lecture is part of the LSE ID Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice series.
