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Policy Forum Pod

by Policy Forum Pod · English · News

Policy Forum Pod is the podcast of PolicyForum.net - Asia and the Pacific's platform for public policy debate, analysis and discussion. Policy Forum is based at Crawford School of Public Policy at The Australian National University. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 50 min
Latest: 17 May 2024
Language: English

Latest episode

17 May 2024 · 50 min

Care, connection and who decides

In this episode, we speak to the CEO of the Paul Ramsay Foundation, Professor Kristy Muir about care, connection and who decides in policymaking, especially around children. She discusses the life and death realities of social capital, the importance of a wellbeing framework and the challenges of a silo approach to making progress on societal issues. Professor Muir says we need to think long term to change society for the better. Professor Muir says we need to place greater importance on Indigenous knowledge, caring for Country and generational views and relationships. She also discusses…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

10 May 2024 · 42 min
Our vulnerable environment with Sophie Lewis
In this episode we speak to Dr Sophie Lewis, the ACT Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment. She discusses the key takeaways from the 2023 ACT State of the Environment Report, and how both individuals, industries and governments can make a difference. Dr Lewis talks about how we all need to think about the things we never get back unless action is taken. She says we need to limit urban growth, set a limit on what we are willing to lose within our environment, and further everyone’s understanding of Scope 3 emissions. She acknowledges the complexity and interconnectedness of…
3 May 2024 · 45 min
The Forest Wars: securing the future
Professor David Lindenmayer joins the podcast to discuss the importance of forests, the threats they are facing, and the myths around the logging industry. In his latest book, The Forest Wars: The ugly truth about what’s happening to our tall forests , Professor Lindenmayer unearths truths about what happens to forests that have been recently logged in a bushfire, how logging impacts native animals, and what happens to our native trees once they are logged. His research reveals uncomfortable truths about the profitability and employment outcomes of the forestry industry, and he says…
26 Apr 2024 · 50 min
A conversation with ANU Vice-Chancellor Genevieve Bell
ANU Vice-Chancellor, Distinguished Professor Genevive Bell joins us to discuss the power of stories, knowledge and a vision for our future. Distinguished Professor Genevieve Bell is the 13th Vice-Chancellor of ANU. She is also the University’s first female Vice-Chancellor. She holds a PhD in cultural anthropology from Stanford University and is a renowned anthropologist, technologist, and futurist, having spent more than two decades in Silicon Valley helping guide Intel's product development and social science and design research capabilities. Sharon Bessell is a Professor of Public Policy…
19 Apr 2024 · 54 min
Building for social inclusion with Sara Bice
In this podcast we speak to Professor Sara Bice about the importance of building for social inclusion, co-design and community consultation as Australia spends $300 billion on infrastructure projects. Professor Bice co-founded the Institute for Infrastructure in Society to help better integrate social and community aspects. She says the best policy making occurs when there is a shared agreement on what the problem is, and the focus can then be on fixing that problem. ___ Professor Sara Bice is co-founder and Director of the Institute for Infrastructure in Society (I2S) at ANU Crawford School…
12 Apr 2024 · 47 min
21st Century Capitalism - A tribute to Susan Sell
In this episode we pay tribute to Professor Susan Sell. Professor Sell died unexpectedly in December 2023. In re-releasing this conversation from August 2023 about 21st Century Capitalism, we honour her intellectual rigour and the enormous contribution of her research. Professor Sell’s work was theoretically ground-breaking and an exemplary example of the careful research that contributes to our understanding of the nature of power and what this means for societies, for equity and for justice. Those who knew Susan remember her as full of life, full of generosity and someone who genuinely…
5 Apr 2024 · 1 hr 9 min
Politics, policy and a healthy human future with Helen Clark
On this special episode of Policy Forum Pod the Rt Hon Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and former UNDP Administrator, joins Professor Sharon Friel and Professor Bina d’Costa to discuss policy, politics and governing human future. This event was hosted by ANU College of Health and Medicine with the Australian Global Health Alliance. It was recorded live at The Australian National University and the conversation was facilitated by Dr Arnagretta Hunter. If this episode captured your interest, The Rt Hon Helen Clark will address the World Health Summit 2024 Regional Meeting…
28 Mar 2024 · 59 min
The public sector and public value
Professor Janine O’Flynn joins us for the first episode of Policy Forum Pod for 2024! In conversation, the Director of the Crawford School of Public Policy talks about the obligation and position of the school, and other universities, to exercise a ‘convening power' and bring together a range of different actors and views in our complex public policy systems. Professor O’Flynn also talks about the catalytic power of government and the opportunity to reimagine the story of the state through a framework of public value. Janine also speaks about the idea of humility and humble government, which…
14 Dec 2023 · 1 hr
Reflecting on 2023 with John Falzon and Thomas Mayo
In the final episode for 2023 we speak to John Falzon and Thomas Mayo about the year that was. We reflect on the challenges that we have faced from the cost of living, the Voice to Parliament referendum, and discuss the latest industrial relations bill. --- John Falzon is a sociologist, poet and social justice advocate and is a senior fellow at Per Capita and a visiting fellow at RegNet here at the ANU. He was CEO of the St Vincent de Paul Society from 2006 to 2018 and in 2015 received an Order of Australia Medal for services to the community through social welfare organisations. Thomas Mayo…
8 Dec 2023 · 42 min
Strengthening political representation
In this episode, we speak to Professor Carolyn Hendriks about democracy, representation, political trust and decision making and what's happening in local communities. Democracy is under strain as the legitimacy of representatives is questioned and public trust declines. The rise of populism is changing the way many think about democracy and democratic representation, while new forms of leadership emerge. --- Professor Carolyn Hendriks is one of the leading thinkers on democracy and governance, including participatory democracy, public deliberation, and representation. Her most recent book…
1 Dec 2023 · 55 min
Caring through disaster
Australia is facing another tough summer. Natural disasters are occurring more frequently than ever, so this week on the Podcast, we talk about what care looks like in times of crisis. We speak to Dr Millie Rooney from Australia ReMADE and Amanda Kelly, the CEO of Women’s Health Goulburn North East, about a joint project called ‘Care through Disaster’ that looks at what would happen if we put care at the centre of disaster decision making. People want to be seen, be safe, and be supported, with people in the community best placed to know how that looks. Amanda Kelly says if you know one…
24 Nov 2023 · 36 min
Housing fit for our climate
In the final episode of our mini-series on housing, we speak to Emeritus Professor Barbara Norman about planning issues and, particularly, the way we need to rethink housing, land use and urban policy in the context of climate emergency and extreme weather events. --- Barbara Norman is Emeritus Professor of Urban & Regional Planning at the University of Canberra and an Honorary Professor at the Australian National University. Barbara is also the Director of the Urban Climate Change Research Network Oceania Hub (Columbia University, USA) and co-chair of Planners for Climate Action (UN…
17 Nov 2023 · 45 min
Reimagining urban planning
On this episode in our housing mini-series Professor Nicole Gurran talks about reimagining the role of urban planning in creating sustainable and inclusive communities. Professor Gurran notes that there is no substitute for housing, and unless there is some better planning now, the crisis we are facing will only escalate. She also adds that the language used around housing is often misleading, with housing needs driven by an increase in population. In contrast, housing demand is how much people are willing to pay for properties themselves. --- Nicole Gurran is Professor of Urban and Regional…
10 Nov 2023 · 47 min
Fixing our social housing crisis
Australia has seriously neglected social housing, a crisis everyone is now paying the price for. Social housing was once seen as an essential part of the welfare state. It has now become a last resort or, often, an impossible dream. In this episode, we speak with Professor Alan Morris about what we can do to fix the social housing crisis, as well as the decline in homeownership across Australia. Having stable housing brings a significant cost benefits, ranging from improvements in mental health and reduced hospitalisation time to enhanced growth and development in young children. Professor…
3 Nov 2023 · 43 min
Australia’s dependence on housing
Australia’s housing crisis: Housing is one of the biggest drivers of our economy, but it is also at the core of the biggest financial hardships people are facing. Dr Nicholas Frank lays out why house prices skyrocketed in the 1980s and how the availability of credit became vital for families to survive with rising costs of living. The consumption aspect of the economy currently depends on the wealth generated by increasing house prices. While this has led to wealth inequality, it has also contributed to rising income inequality. Additionally, it poses environmental concerns, as there is…
27 Oct 2023 · 54 min
The importance of music and creativity
In this special episode of the pod, we discuss the importance of music and creativity. Professor Kim Cunio and Professor Lane Gabora talk about why the creative arts are more important now than ever before, how music makes you feel seen. They also discuss how artificial intelligence is changing, and threatening, creativity. Professor Liane Gabora is an Interdisciplinary cognitive scientist at the University of British Columbia and is currently a visiting scholar at the ANU School of Music. She has more than 200 scholarly publications in diverse journals that span psychology, cognitive…
20 Oct 2023 · 45 min
Reflecting on the Voice with Janine O’Flynn
In this episode, the Director of the Crawford School of Public Policy, Professor Janine O’Flynn, takes stock of the Voice to Parliament referendum result. She, along with Sharon Bessell and Arnagretta Hunter make some initial reflections and begin to work through where we now need to go as a nation. --- Professor Janine O’Flynn is the Director of the Crawford School of Public Policy. Her research interests are in public management, especially reform and relationships. Sharon Bessell is a Professor of Public Policy and Director of both the Children’s Policy Centre and the Poverty and…
11 Oct 2023 · 43 min
Referendums and Constitutional change with Frank Bongiorno
In this episode, historian and Professor Frank Bongiorno talks us through Australia’s constitutional history and explains why the upcoming referendum has the potential to reshape our ability to change as a nation. Professor Frank Bongiorno, AM , is a Professor of History, at the ANU’s College of Arts and Social Sciences. He has held positions in Australia and the UK, and has written widely on Australia’s political history. He is the author of four books, including the recently published Dreamers and Schemers. Sharon Bessell is a Professor of Public Policy and Director of both the Children’s…
6 Oct 2023 · 50 min
The narrative of the Voice with Rebecca Huntley
The narrative and origin story of the Voice to Parliament are key to understanding how Australian’s will vote in the referendum, says Rebecca Huntley. She talks about soft-yes and soft-no voters, people who do not feel strongly about the Voice to Parliament, their level of engagement and what is important to them. Dr Huntley says her research shows that the majority of Indigenous Australians understand what is at stake in the referendum, and that is not a broader understanding by the rest of the community. Dr Rebecca Huntly is one of Australia’s leading social researchers and has written…
4 Oct 2023 · 53 min
History is calling with Peter Yu
In this episode, we speak to Professor Peter Yu about what the First Nations Voice to Parliament means for our past, our present, and our future as a nation and the vital role universities play in teaching people to bridge relationship gaps. Professor Yu says current indigenous policy is a cost-benefit failure, and taxpayers should want better for their money, and the Voice will make that happen. --- Professor Peter Yu is a Yawuru man from Broome in the Kimberley. He is currently the inaugural Vice-President, First Nations Portfolio here at the Australian National University - and we are so…
27 Sep 2023 · 41 min
Thomas Mayo on the Voice to Parliament
In this special episode of Policy Forum Pod, Thomas Mayo joins Sharon Bessell and Arnagretta Hunter to discuss the importance of the Voice to Parliament. Thomas Mayo explains how the Voice will create unity and a stronger future. We are a Nation divided, but Constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples gives us a way of coming together and leaving a legacy of collective hope and justice for our children. --- Thomas Mayo is a Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man. He is the Assistant National Secretary of the Maritime Union of…
22 Sep 2023 · 52 min
Health impacts of fossil fuels
This podcast delves into the complex world of balancing the need for energy through fossil fuels and protecting the environment and human health. Energy is central to so much human activity today and the politics are complex, weighing up local and global needs for energy, the ‘needs of the economy’ against the resultant environmental and climate impacts. Guests Professor Melissa Haswell and Professor Hillary Bambrick discuss how in the centre of this balance is human health and wellbeing which is dependent on energy, but adversely impacted by fossil fuel extraction, processing and by climate…
15 Sep 2023 · 54 min
Insights into the Intergenerational Report
This Podcast delves into the Intergenerational Report, looking at both the challenges and opportunities it highlights. Dr Liz Allen and Professor Paul Burke discuss the key takeaways of the latest IGR that in 2062 Australia will be bigger, slower growing, and more diverse, with living standards at risk of going backwards. Liz says we are “heading into the greatest demographic headwinds of our time,” and we need to spend more time imagining the whole picture, with a particular focus on inequality. We must “discuss the need for earnest and substantive change to actually take control and not…
8 Sep 2023 · 56 min
Power and policy: from despair to action
This episode discusses the connections between planetary health and human health. Sharon Friel and Fran Baun look at the challenges of health inequality, over-consumption and how we move toward a better future. To have healthy people we need to have a healthy planet, and in order to do that we need to be prioritising the health and wellbeing lens as a powerful tool for policy shifts. "It can't be biomedical, it's about social. It can't be economic, it's about social. It can't be colonisation, it's about social," Sharon Friel says. --- Professor Sharon Friel is the Director of the Planetary…
1 Sep 2023 · 53 min
Creating communities for children
This National Child Protection Week we ask the question: What part can we as individuals play in protecting children and creating a culture of care? The theme for this year’s National Child Protection Week is ‘Where we start matters’ building on the essence that ‘every child in every community needs a fair go’. In this episode, we speak to researcher Tim Moore, and NAPCAN Deputy-CEO Rani Kumar about what needs to happen, not just this week, but every day of the year. They discuss the structural problems that need to be addressed in the policy sphere to protect all children, including…
25 Aug 2023 · 56 min
Reclaiming imagination with Rob Hopkins
In this episode, Rob Hopkins discusses why we need imagination as a core component to create the future we want. We need to make time to listen to the bird song and allow our minds time to come up with solutions to tough problems. “At a time when we fundamentally have to reimagine everything, we’ve created the worst possible conditions for the human imagination,” Hopkins said. Without imagination and big-picture thinking, we are unable to create a longing for our future that will spark hard work to get there. Rob Hopkins, the founder of the Transition Network, says we need to break down the…
18 Aug 2023 · 51 min
Towards Net Zero: climate, policy and politics
In this episode, Dr Rebecca Colvin talks about Australia’s new Net Zero Authority, and the challenges some regional communities are facing as we move towards a decarbonised future. She expands on the role of both local and political leadership, and how identity influences the way in which our politics work. People’s love for and connection to place is often overlooked or outright ignored, as is local knowledge. Place-based community approaches are an integral part of climate adaptation. Hosts Sharon and Arnagretta also discuss Bec’s latest work ‘Contextualizing coal communities for…
11 Aug 2023 · 51 min
Politics of despair: 21st century capitalism
In this episode, Professor Susan Sell talks about 21st century capitalism and how it undermines health outcomes, social goals and equity. She discusses the connection between the market, our work and our health, particularly for those with precarious working conditions where we see the market’s direct impact on physical and mental wellbeing. Professor Sell explains the phenomenon of ‘failure demand,’ growing demand for services we shouldn’t need, particularly if we were to value caring for people and place in society. A key concern raised by Professor Sell is corporate tax avoidance and…
4 Aug 2023 · 48 min
What we value: reimagining social policy
This week, Professor Kay Cook and Associate Professor Ben Phillips talk about reimagining what we value and how we value it when it comes to poverty and social policy in Australia. Both Professor Cook and Associate Professor Phillips are on the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee and advocate strongly for raising the rate of support payments in Australia, to bring people out of poverty. Phillips takes us through the immediate steps and payments that would make a difference to poverty in Australia, and how to raise the revenue to make it happen. He says by lifting JobSeeker to 90% of the…
28 Jul 2023 · 46 min
Hierarchies of evidence: reimagining social policy
In this episode, Dr Andrew Leigh MP sits down in the studio with Sharon and Arnagretta to discuss the hierarchies of evidence in policy making in Australia. Dr Leigh, a former Economics Professor at the ANU and prolific author on the subject, shares his views on the benefits of randomised trials and what he hopes the newly established Australian Centre for Evaluation will accomplish in a data-rich world. Understanding the strengths and limitations of each data collection method is crucial. This can include awareness of the knowledge framework that underpins the design of a trial, the…

About Policy Forum Pod

Policy Forum Pod is a English news podcast from Policy Forum Pod. 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: Policy Forum Pod
Language: English
Category: News
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 50 min
Latest episode: 17 May 2024
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1100512143

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