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Oxford Policy Pod

by Students at the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University · English · News

A bi-weekly policy podcast based out of the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford. The Oxford Policy Pod explores pressing policy issues around the globe and is produced by students reading for a Master of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government. The podcast explor

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 47 min
Latest: 14 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 6 minNew

Returning Refugees navigating a Public Health Crisis with Rachel Sider

In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, Jackson Sandler-Bussey sits down with Rachel Sider, Executive-in-Residence at the Geneva Centre for Security policy, and Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford MPP alumnus. Drawing from Rachel's latest report: Diagnosing return — Health conditions and experiences of returnees in Syria, we explore how Syria is rebuilding after the end of the civil war and tackling its public health crisis, from what has worked, what still needs to be done, and how the world can help. You can read the full report here and learn more about the work of…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S8 · E34 · 25 Sep 2026 · 56 min
Paul Collier on Development, Growth and What Governments Get Wrong
Sir Paul Collier joins Cristian Iftodii (Oxford Policy Pod) and Richard Heydarian at the Blavatnik School of Government in Oxford for a conversation on the new economics of development. We talk about why the poorest countries have not caught up in the way economists once expected, what has changed in how we think about growth, the role of firms and of the state, and what Collier would tell a government that wants to get its country moving. Paul Collier is Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, and was previously Director of the…
S8 · E33 · 22 Sep 2026 · 44 min
Transforming Government in the Age of AI with Aaron Maniam
How should governments adapt as artificial intelligence reshapes our economy, culture, and society? In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, students Felix Wu and Marc Naro speak with scholar and poet Aaron Maniam about how public policy can keep up with rapidly evolving AI models. They discuss Aaron Maniam's latest documentary series, titled "Raising Expectations", as well what human values governments must safeguard and preserve as AI plays an increasingly integral role in our daily lives.
S8 · E32 · 20 Sep 2026 · 31 min
The New Rules of Middle East Investment | François-Aïssa Touazi
In this new episode of the Policy Pod, MPP students Marc Naro and Tara Shwani host François-Aïssa Touazi, a former diplomat who advised France's foreign minister on North Africa and the Middle East before joining Ardian, the largest private equity firm in Europe, where he now sits on the executive committee, chairs the Abu Dhabi arm and handles the firm's relationships with sovereign wealth funds. Mr Touazi is a 2025-26 Transformational Leadership Fellow at the Blavatnik School of Government and co-President of the France-GCC Business Council at MEDEF International. Recorded at the Blavatnik…
S8 · E34 · 9 Sep 2026 · 45 min
Scaling What Works: Asheesh Advani on Education, Entrepreneurship and Opportunity
In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, Cecilia Esteche and Howard Leong sit down with Dr. Asheesh Advani, President and CEO of JA Worldwide, one of the world’s largest youth-serving nonprofits. JA Worldwide delivers millions of learning experiences each year across more than 120 countries, helping young people develop skills in entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial capability. We explore how JA scales impact through partnerships with governments, businesses, educators, and volunteers; how it maintains an entrepreneurial culture while operating globally; and what education…
S8 · E33 · 3 Sep 2026 · 32 min
From U.S. Ambassador to Impact Investment | John Simon
In this new episode of the Policy Pod, MPP students Marc Naro and Yacine Ouahioune host John Simon, former U.S. Ambassador to the African Union and now CEO of Total Impact Capital, an impact investment firm mobilising private capital to address global development challenges. Ambassador Simon previously held senior roles at the White House, USAID and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), working at the intersection of diplomacy, development finance and investment. Drawing on his experience across government and finance, the conversation explores his journey from U.S. diplomacy…
S8 · E31 · 28 Aug 2026 · 55 min
Building A New Economics for Human Flourishing | Eric Beinhocker
In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, MPP students Diego Peñaranda and Isabella Notarpietro sit down with Eric Beinhocker, founder and Executive Director of the Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET) at the University’s Oxford Martin School and Professor of Public Policy Practice at the Blavatnik School of Government. Beinhocker introduces complexity economics, or “new economics” as he calls it, and explains how this emerging paradigm changes the way we understand the economy, approach public policy, and tackle major challenges such as artificial intelligence and the energy…
S8 · E30 · 16 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 14 min
Navigating Climate, Artificial Intelligence and Global Governance Across Borders
In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, host Begim Zhanuzakova, joined by co-host Memo Some, sits down with Mr. Suresh Yadav, Director at the Commonwealth Secretariat, to discuss the future of global governance in an era of geopolitical uncertainty, climate change and artificial intelligence. Drawing on a career spanning the Government of India, the World Bank Group and the Commonwealth Secretariat, Mr. Yadav shares insights on leadership, multilateral cooperation and the challenges of governing an increasingly interconnected world. Together, they explore how AI is reshaping climate…
S8 · E29 · 13 Aug 2026 · 49 min
How Poverty Shapes the Way We Think | Anandi Mani
In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, MPP students Isabella Notarpietro and Diego Peñaranda sit down with Professor Anandi Mani, Professor of Behavioural Economics and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. Drawing on her influential research on poverty and cognitive function, Professor Mani answers why people sometimes make decisions that seem to go against their own interests, and how poverty itself changes the way we think and make choices. The conversation explores what behavioural economics can teach us about poverty, the timing and design of cash…
S8 · E28 · 4 Aug 2026 · 36 min
How Ukraine Plans to Win the War & Rebuild the Nation | Oleksandra Azarkhina
How does a country rebuild while fighting for its survival? In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod , MPP student Marc Naro interviews Oleksandra Azarkhina , International Lead of the Small Air Defence Command of the Ukrainian Air Force , former Deputy Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine . Drawing on her experience at the highest levels of government throughout Russia's full-scale invasion, Oleksandra discusses Ukraine's reconstruction strategy, the creation of a groundbreaking digital reconstruction platform to combat corruption, the coordination…
S8 · E27 · 1 Aug 2026 · 21 min
Rethinking Britain's Strategy for a Changing World with Jenny Bates
As the global economic order undergoes profound change, what kind of national strategy does the UK need? In this episode, Jenny Bates, 2025–26 Heywood Fellow at the Blavatnik School of Government and Former Director General at the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), discusses how Britain can navigate an increasingly uncertain global landscape. Interviewed by MPP students Marc Naro and Eleanor Williams, the conversation explores the changing global economic order, strategic policymaking, and the UK's future role in the world. Recorded at the Blavatnik School of Government,…
S8 · E26 · 29 Jul 2026 · 51 min
From Evidence to Action: How Research Can Strengthen Education Systems
In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, Nawaz sit down with Dr Monazza Aslam, Research Director of the Data and Research in Education Research Consortium (DARE-RC), a leading education researcher, to explore how evidence can strengthen education systems and shape better public policy. Together, they discuss why improving learning outcomes remains one of the most persistent challenges facing low and middle income countries, why investing in research is just as important as investing in schools, and how programmes like DARE-RC are working to bridge the gap between evidence and policymaking.…
S8 · E25 · 27 Jul 2026 · 55 min
Inside Afghanistan's Resistance: A Conversation with Ali Maisam Nazary
In this episode, BSG MPP student Claire Astrid Fuchs speaks with Ali Maisam Nazary, Head of Foreign Relations of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF), about the country's evolving security landscape. Together, they examine the collapse of the former Afghan government, the impact of the Doha Agreement, and the rise of Taliban rule, exploring how these developments have reshaped Afghanistan's political and security environment. The conversation also considers the role of the National Resistance Front, the challenges facing the Afghan people, and the prospects for Afghanistan's…
S8 · E24 · 23 Jul 2026 · 50 min
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 journey, the ideas behind the Multidimensional Poverty Index, how it has shaped public policy around the world, and why measuring poverty differently can ultimately help improve millions of lives. A…
S8 · E23 · 20 Jul 2026 · 51 min
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 Policy and Intervention. Together, they explore how and why care has become such a politically salient issue over the past decade , the role feminist movements have played in putting it on the…
S8 · E22 · 14 Jul 2026 · 42 min
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 internal critics, unafraid to challenge the assumptions his own field runs on. Together, they explore the unravelling of UK aid as budgets shrink and priorities tilt toward bilateral spending, the…
S8 · E21 · 9 Jul 2026 · 42 min
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 conversation explores Robinson's intellectual journey, his reflections on winning the Nobel Prize, and his latest research on what he calls the "Fundamental Imbalance" in Latin America —the persistent…
S8 · E20 · 1 Jul 2026 · 39 min
The Future of Democracy: A Conversation with Maya Tudor
S8 · E19 · 12 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
The "Almost Prime Minister" | Pita Limjaroenrat
The "Almost Prime Minister" | Pita Limjaroenrat In 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 lead Thailand's next government. Yet despite winning the popular mandate, a complex political and institutional process prevented him from taking office. Together, they explore Thailand's…
S8 · E18 · 3 Jun 2026 · 47 min
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 TrustAfrica The conversation is important as: It provides a practical framework for leveraging traditional values such as Ubuntu ( I am because you are) and Harambee (community fundraising) to mobilize domestic resources for democratic strengthening, reducing dependency on external donors whose priorities may not align with local needs. It comes at a critical moment…
S8 · E17 · 21 May 2026 · 36 min
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 conversation explores the ways algorithms shape behaviour, reinforce social norms, and contribute to the spread of misogynistic and radicalising content online, particularly among young men. It also…
S8 · E16 · 17 May 2026 · 46 min
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 malfeasance are a unique political force which leaders can leverage to compel lasting policy change. This discussion charts a path for how their theory applies to the present moment, at a time…
S8 · E15 · 11 May 2026 · 40 min
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 security and the future of the international order. Drawing on her years at the heart of European decision-making, Margrethe Vestager shares her vision for how Europe can navigate technological…
S8 · E14 · 7 May 2026 · 48 min
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 for international law, or part of a longer pattern of contestation and adaptation within the international system. The conversation explores the role of international courts in an era of selective…
S8 · E13 · 3 May 2026 · 38 min
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 with children and families facing adversity. He has made major contributions from both scientific and clinical perspectives to understanding the relationship between parents in adversity and their…
S8 · E12 · 1 May 2026 · 49 min
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 previously held the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2015 to 2022. Before entering politics, he built a career as an attorney engaged in international litigation. In this episode, we address the…
S8 · E11 · 28 Apr 2026 · 37 min
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 reform of the UN Committee on World Food Security and the establishment of the Biofuture Platform. He now leads the Alliance's secretariat, based at FAO headquarters in Rome, coordinating the work of…
S8 · E10 · 13 Apr 2026 · 51 min
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 Cross, and as Associate Professor of International Law at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. The conversation addresses the functioning of the European Court of Human Rights and the…
S8 · E9 · 7 Apr 2026 · 18 min
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, with writing featured in outlets including The New York Times and The Guardian. The conversation explores how platforms are transforming political engagement and how Cheek Media bridges politics and…
S8 · E8 · 3 Apr 2026 · 54 min
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 Complexity Index and for his research on how knowledge shapes growth. The conversation explores his intellectual journey from physics to economics, and his central idea that development depends on…

About Oxford Policy Pod

Oxford Policy Pod is a English news podcast from Students at the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Students at the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University
Language: English
Category: News
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 47 min
Latest episode: 14 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1500778005
Rights: Copyright 2026 Students at the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University

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