Best Bennett Institute For Public Policy Podcasts (2024)

1
Trace Metal Pollution w/Andrea Sartorius 38:24

7d ago38:24

38:24

Andrea Sartorius is a Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham looking at the impacts of trace metal pollution on ecosystems. Grab yourself a brew and have a listen as Andrea and Ben chat about her research, what those impacts are, and what can be done about it. It turns out there's more to lead than Ben first thought... Want links? We have …

1
Who pays the price of colonialism today? 30:06

22d ago30:06

30:06

In this episode, Rory Cellan-Jones discusses the enduring legacies of colonialism on global economic inequalities, the climate crisis, and the digital space with experts Dr Stephanie Diepeveen and Prof Jordanna Matlon. Experts, Dr Stephanie Diepeveen and Prof Jordanna Matlon share tangible examples and critical insights into a nuanced understanding…

1
What's Up With Everyone? w/Paul Crawford 35:40

1M ago35:40

35:40

The Institute for Policy and Engagement has some brand new award winners! That's right, the annual Policy Impact and Public Engagement Awards 2024 have been announced (you can read about all the winners below) and Ben is sitting down with Paul Crawford, of Best Public Engagement Initiative fame. They talk all about his project (collaborating with A…

1
What's the point of a protest? 23:07

2M ago23:07

23:07

In this episode, Rory Cellan-Jones discusses with Dr Lauren Wilcox, Dr Felix Dwinger, and Dr Giacomo Lemoli why the world is protesting so much, how protesting has changed over time, and what impact protest movements are having on policymaking. Delving into the surge of protests across democratic and autocratic regimes, they examine why people are …

1
Science in the Park! w/Sam Tang 30:01

2M ago30:01

30:01

Ben is talking all things Science in the Park with special guest Sam Tang in this episode. Never heard of Science in the Park? (How??) Public engagement at its finest, Science in the Park has been entertaining and sharing knowledge from the University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University and many local organisations for the past 15 years. Hav…

1
Can governments regulate AI without stifling innovation? 34:21

3M ago34:21

34:21

In this episode, Rory Cellan-Jones (former technology correspondent for the BBC) chats with Verity Harding (Bennett Institute for Public Policy), Gina Neff (Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy), and Lawrence Rothenberg (IAST and University of Rochester), about artificial intelligence (AI) and the fine balance between innovation and regulat…

1
The NCCPE Watermark w/Stephen Meek and Maria Richards 31:59

4M ago31:59

31:59

Public Engagement is a broad topic, so Ben sits down with fellow Institute for Policy and Engagement colleagues, Stephen Meek and Maria Richards, to pick it apart. They look at the NCCPE Watermark, what it is, what it means for the University of Nottingham (and what UoN received...) Want some links? We have plenty: The Institute for Policy and Enga…

1
Why are women disadvantaged in the workplace? 31:27

4M ago31:27

31:27

This episode asks why are women disadvantaged in the workplace? Experts explore why women are underrepresented in certain professions. Why is the motherhood wage gap so persistent? How does flexible work impact women's careers? And what does policy need to do to reduce gender inequalities in the workplace? Podcast host, Rory Cellan-Jones (former te…

1
Can economic growth and sustainability coexist? 36:50

5M ago36:50

36:50

Rory Cellan-Jones talks to Matthew Agarwala, Stefan Lamp and Alessio Terzi about the trade-off between economic growth and environmental protection, the policies and legislations needed to achieve green growth, and the challenges associated with implementing such measures. This episode unpacks the possibility of green growth. Leading experts discus…

1
Transitioning Away from Animal Testing w/Andy Bennett and Amy Beale 42:21

5M ago42:21

42:21

Ben is joined by Dr Andrew Bennett, Director of the FRAME Alternatives Laboratory at the University of Nottingham, and Amy Beale, Head of Policy and Programmes at FRAME (Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments). Together they talk all things research, stopping the use of animal testing, and what the benefits of the long-term rela…

1
How can universal basic infrastructure support growth? 28:51

6M ago28:51

28:51

Rory Cellan-Jones talks to Jean-Paul Azam, Diane Coyle and Andy Westwood about the potential of universal basic income to tackle regional inequalities, boost economic growth in ‘left behind’ and growing places, and rebuild democracy. This episode unpacks why current policies are failing to tackle regional inequalities and how a universal basic infr…

1
Can technology rescue ailing health services? 35:11

7M ago35:11

35:11

Rory Cellan-Jones talks to Angelique Acquatella, Shan Morgan and Jennifer Dixon about the current status of digital technology adoption in healthcare services, why digital adoption is so slow, and the opportunities for medtech, individuals and the wider economy. In this episode, experts unpack the barriers and facilitators of digital healthcare. Ro…

1
The world’s problems are interdisciplinary – why is academic research so siloed? 33:07

8M ago33:07

33:07

Rory Cellan-Jones (host) talks to Ingela Alger (IAST) and Flavio Toxvaerd (University of Cambridge) about the drivers of research silos, the merits of conducting interdisciplinary research and how to overcome disciplinary divides. This episode takes a look at why academic research is trapped in research silos. Ingela Alger and Flavio Toxvaerd engag…

1
When Engineering Meets Space: Outreach and Engagement w/Jez Turner 35:34

9M ago35:34

35:34

Good public engagement and outreach requires good enthusiasm, and Jez Turner brings it by the bucket load. In this episode, Ben chats with Jez about his outreach work, his passion for lifelong learning, space, using satellites to identify potential slavery cases, and even, at one point, Nazi Germany. It's a wild ride this one. Want some links? We h…

1
How big a problem is short-termism in government? 28:08

9M ago28:08

28:08

In this first episode of series 3, Rory Cellan-Jones talks to Dr Anne Degrave, Prof Dennis Grube and Halima Khan about the drivers of short-termism in government, the interplay between voter preferences and policy change, and the mechanisms needed to embed longer-term decision-making. This episode unpacks why governments have been trapped in short-…

1
RE-ENGAGED: Climate Change, Communities and Energy Systems w/Mark Gillott 20:17

10M ago20:17

20:17

The climate crisis is usually talked about in terms of the big picture, but Mark Gillott talks to Ben about the local community-driven work he is doing and the massive impacts it could have on green energy as a whole. They discuss the Trent Basin project, Mark's revolutionary ideas and what the real meaning behind the flickering black and white sym…

1
Box Office Bears w/Hannah O’Regan 37:51

10M ago37:51

37:51

What do Shakespeare's plays and bears have in common? Turns out, many things, and not just from when they appear in the scripts. Box Office Bears is a multi-institutional project looking at animal baiting in Early Modern England, and lead investigator Hannah O'Regan joins Ben to talk all about it. Listen on to hear all about the bears who were as f…

1
The Elephant Welfare Project w/Lisa Yon 39:34

11M ago39:34

39:34

Who doesn't like elephants?? Ben loves them and he chats with Lisa Yon about the Elephant Welfare Project, a long-running love story for looking out for elephants. Honestly it has it all, policy impact, public engagement, heart-warming animal stories and a crowdfunder! (Find that below). Have a listen! Want some links? We have plenty: The Elephant …

1
DIY Slow Cooker for your Wallet and the Planet w/Mike Clifford 35:48

12M ago35:48

35:48

Mike Clifford returns to Knowledge, Engaged! Last appearing in 2021 to talk about clean cooking and climate change, he's back to chat to Ben about some closer to home work. As part of the Green Hustle festival, Mike brought along his DIY fabric cooker that could potentially help both the planet and people's wallets during the cost of living crisis.…

1
Majoritarian Nationalism in India w/Katharine Adeney 35:46

12M ago35:46

35:46

Katharine Adeney joins Ben to talk all about Majoritarian Nationalism and the Asia Research Institute, with particular attention on India. What is it? Listen on to find out! ------------------------------------------------ Want some links? We have plenty: Katharine Adeney What is the BBC Modi documentary and why is it so controversial? - The Guardi…

1
Digital Youth and Mental Health w/Jo Lockwood and Kareem Khan 47:38

1y ago47:38

47:38

Digital Youth, with Sprouting Minds, is an ambitious UKRI funded research programme with researchers from Nottingham, Auckland, Bath, Glasgow, Kings College London, LSE, UCL and the Open University. Ben sits down with Jo Lockwood and Kareem Khan to talk about the programme, the importance of research and support for young people's mental health, as…

1
What is the future of religion? 35:05

1y ago35:05

35:05

Rory Cellan-Jones talks to Iza Hussin and Paul Seabright about recent trends in world religions, the interplay between politics and religion, and the economics of religion. This episode unpacks the widespread belief that religion is in decline, and explores why this view is mistaken. Leading experts discuss the intersection between religion and pol…

1
Institute Awards Special! 55:27

1y ago55:27

55:27

Stephen Meek and Amanda Chukwudozie join Ben to talk about the Policy Impact and Public Engagement Awards 2023, the winners, the range of high quality work at the University of Nottingham. Want some links? We have plenty: Our episode featuring Todd Landman: https://tinyurl.com/yd7pwy3n Our episode featuring Lara Bianchi: https://tinyurl.com/2dbhtvh…

1
Sustainability in Business 43:01

1y ago43:01

43:01

Ben is joined by super-special-guest-host Gabrielle Bunn to talk sustainability, bringing the social sciences into big projects for everyone's benefit and more with Judy Muthuri and Hannah Noke from the University of Nottingham and Daniela Salite from Aston University. Want some links? We have plenty: SHAping Sustainable Futures Research Hub: https…

1
Rehabilitation and Preventing Falls w/Pip Logan 43:36

1y ago43:36

43:36

Ben and Special-Guest-Host Amy Hawksworth chat with Pip Logan about the National Rehabilitation Centre and research into preventing falls in vulnerable populations. Want some links? We have plenty: The National Rehabilitation Centre: https://nationalrehabilitationcentre.nhs.uk/ UoN's NRC Pages: https://tinyurl.com/3hurkbv6 React to Falls App (Googl…

1
Are countries becoming harder to govern? 33:42

1y ago33:42

33:42

Rory Cellan-Jones talks to Michael Kenny, Louis Baktash, and Mathieu Carpentier about the governance challenges in France and the United Kingdom, the impact of recent political protests, and whether devolution might be the answer to address these challenges. Leading experts reflect on recent political protests and movements - including protests ove…

1
Are emerging technologies more hype than reality? 36:43

1y ago36:43

36:43

Leading experts, Sam Gilbert Bennett Institute), César Hidalgo (IAST) and Jeni Tennison (Bennett Institute) talk to podcast host Rory Cellan-Jones (former technology correspondent for the BBC) about the latest developments of emerging forms of technologies, their opportunities and harms, and what policymakers can do to mitigate the associated risks…

1
Should children have the right to vote? 32:24

1+ y ago32:24

32:24

Prof David Runciman and Prof Karine Van der Straeten talk to Rory Cellan-Jones about extending voting rights to school-aged children. This episode unpacks the main objections against lowering the legal voting age, the merits of extending democratic rights to children, and how children's voices might be better represented in electoral processes. Lea…

1
Introducing the SHAping Sustainable Futures Research Hub! 32:31

1+ y ago32:31

32:31

Join Ben and Special-Guest-Host Gabrielle Bunn as they sit down with Professor Todd Landman and Stephen Meek to talk about the all shiny and brand new SHAping Sustainable Futures Research Hub. Developed in collaboration with the Faculty for Social Science, the Hub is an online resource dedicated to showcasing the value of UoN Social Science researc…

1
Is technology changing our behaviour? 30:02

1+ y ago30:02

30:02

Rory Cellan-Jones and leading experts Maria Kleshnina, Daniel Nettle and Amy Orben discuss the drivers of cooperation and how online and offline environments are impacting human behaviour. This podcast unpacks the facilitators and inhibitors of cooperative behaviours to tackle wicked problems and the impact of our environment on cooperation. Our gu…

1
Why are stories important for society? 31:46

1+ y ago31:46

31:46

Rory Cellan-Jones and leading experts Sarah Dillon and Manvir Singh discuss the value of stories, the possible dangers of endorsing stories and the need for narrative evidence to inform decision-making. This episode unpacks the value of stories to understand the past and inform current policy debates. Leading experts from the University of Cambridg…

1
Ukraine war - how can academics apply their expertise? 36:33

1+ y ago36:33

36:33

Tymofiy Mylovanov, president of the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE), and Nataliia Shapoval, head of KSE Institute, discuss how their research priorities have shifted during the war on Ukraine, how the University has operated throughout these challenging times, and why the higher education system is integral to Ukraine’s future. This episode is hoste…

1
How much do people care about inequality? 29:06

1+ y ago29:06

29:06

Rory Cellan-Jones and leading experts Charlotte Cavaillé, Ailbhe McNabola and Jack Shaw discuss the causes of income and regional inequality, why policymakers should care, and what policy interventions work best to reduce them. Guests discuss recent trends in income and regional inequality, and evaluate the effectiveness of different policy approac…

1
Gender Research in Business Schools: a Human Rights Perspective 55:59

1+ y ago55:59

55:59

Corporate Social Responsibility is not enough to tackle gender inequality - so is a Business and Human Rights approach the better option for business schools? Why is social compliance ineffective when it comes to gender discrimination? These are some of the questions raised when Ben is joined by a whole host of remarkable guests across multiple tim…

1
RE-ENGAGED: Ethnic Minorities and Disproportionate Environmental Impacts w/Charles Ogunbode 24:35

1+ y ago24:35

24:35

It's Action for Climate Empowerment and Civil Society day at COP27 today (as well as Energy!) which means - surprise bonus! - we are re-engaging with another episode from last year! Race and Climate Change are inextricably linked, as our guest Dr Charles Ogunbode discusses with Chris Sims. In this episode, we look at why the conversation about the …

1
RE:ENGAGED: Climate Change, Communities and Energy Systems w/Mark Gillott 20:53

1+ y ago20:53

20:53

Ohhh it's the big one at COP27 today - energy! A huge talking point right now, especially with the cost of living crisis. Last year Ben chatted with Mark about some pretty ingenious ideas - maybe now's the time to boost these projects... The climate crisis is usually talked about in terms of the big picture, but Mark Gillott talks to Ben about the …

1
RE:ENGAGED: Developing a Sustainable Food Supply w/Anne Touboulic and Festo Massawe 23:48

1+ y ago23:48

23:48

It's Adaptation and Agriculture day at COP27! And that means we have another chance to RE:ENGAGE - this time with Anne and Festo from the Future Food Beacon at the University of Nottingham... Stephen sits down with Anne Touboulic and Festo Massawe from Nottingham's Future Food Beacon to discuss the impacts of climate change on global food supplies …

1
RE:ENGAGED: Electric Planes and Net Zero Aviation w/Sharmila Sumsurooah 20:27

1+ y ago20:27

20:27

Today's RE:ENGAGED brings back Sharmila Sumsurooah for the decarbonisation day at COP27! Decarbonising planes would be a landmark achievement and Sharmila has many thoughts on this... Sharmila Sumsurooah discusses her work in developing electric aircraft and the journey towards net zero aviation with Ben, and they talk about the challenges associat…

1
RE:ENGAGED: The Ethics of Climate Finance w/Matthew Rendall 19:38

1+ y ago19:38

19:38

COP27 has snuck up on the world again (except, if you're up to date with British Politics, it really hasn't...) Last year we talked with many of Nottingham's researchers about COP26 and we still think those conversations are incredibly important this year. So get ready to RE-ENGAGE with Matthew Rendall for the Youth and Future Generations day at CO…

1
Wellbeing at work - whose job is it to fix it? 31:18

1+ y ago31:18

31:18

Rory Cellan-Jones and leading experts Gordon Harold, Laura Nurski and Zoe Purcell discuss why mental wellbeing in the workplace is essential, and what policymakers can do to promote a healthy workforce. This episode unpacks the impact of the future of work on mental wellbeing, and its implications for policy. Leading experts discuss the major trend…

1
Has digital technology made us better off? 30:35

1+ y ago30:35

30:35

Rory Cellan-Jones talks to leading economists Diane Coyle, Jacques Crémer and Jean Tirole, about why productivity growth has slowed in spite of immense technological progress and what policy can do about it. This episode unravels the impact of digitalisation on economic growth and its implications for policy. Leading economists discuss the producti…

1
The Thing about Nutritional Supplements w/Paul Greenhaff 36:11

2y ago36:11

36:11

Nutrition, supplements and a little bit of myth busting are what Ben sits down with Professor Paul Greenhaff to talk about on today's episode. But there's more! They also talk about potential reversals to the aging process (not quite turning you back into a 20 year old though, unfortunately), and where things like anabolic steroids can actually be …

1
Women's voice in fragile contexts w/Lara Bianchi 31:41

2y ago31:41

31:41

Co-creation is on the set list for today's episode! Ben and Stephen sit down with Dr Lara Bianchi (another Institute award winner!) to talk about the Moral Capability Assessment Tool, giving hope and a voice to women in conflict-affected areas, and magic. Yes, that's right, magic! Magic and play and a ground up approach - Lara talks about the benef…

1
Representation in Research Matters w/Claudio Di Lorito 36:41

2y ago36:41

36:41

Sometimes there's a huge divide between academic research and the general public, but people like Claudio Di Lorito are working to bridge that gap. Co-research and Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) are cornerstones of Claudio's work with dementia patients - find out all about it in this episode! And no, it's completely unrelated to the PPI you m…

1
What can political leaders learn from history? 30:21

2y ago30:21

30:21

In this episode, Rory Cellan-Jones talks to expert guests Lucy Delap (University of Cambridge) and Victor Gay (IAST) about how lessons from history can inform policymaking today. They discuss what the recession in the 1970s can tell us about government response to the current cost-of-living crisis, and what the 1918 Spanish Flu can tell us about de…

1
What’s FAIR in blood donation w/Eamonn Ferguson 32:43

2y ago32:43

32:43

Have you ever wanted to give blood, but weren't able to because of restrictions on who could donate based on sexual activity? A lot of people have been in that position. Ben and Chris sit down with Professor Eamonn Ferguson, who has been a core part of the FAIR project, which has meant blood donation has become more accessible - notably with men wh…

1
Refugee Week Special! 50:50

2y ago50:50

50:50

We're back! And to kick us off, we've teamed up with the Human Rights Law Centre at the University of Nottingham to bring you a student takeover. It's Refugee Week right now and there are some pretty pressing refugee issues to talk about right now... So join guest hosts Oliver Lester and Megan Firth alongside guests Baroness Sally Hamwee, Sebastian…

1
How might policy steer us towards better decision-making? 30:46

2y ago30:46

30:46

This podcast looks at the psychological quirks of humankind, what effects our bad decisions have on the society we live in, and how policy might best steer us towards better outcomes. Rory Cellan-Jones talks to Dr Bence Bago - Research Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study in Toulouse, and Professor Dame Theresa Marteau – the Director of the B…

1
Can democratic political leaders ever meet our expectations? 30:44

2y ago30:44

30:44

This episode looks at what we expect from our leaders, how that's changed over time, and whether democratic leaders are particularly prone to disappointing us. This episode is hosted by Rory Cellan-Jones, and features experts Dr Roberto Foa, Assistant Professor in Politics and Public Policy at the University of Cambridge, and Dr Zachary Garfield, R…

1
Is it the government's job to make us happy? 28:22

2y ago28:22

28:22

This podcast looks at why some people think we need policies for happiness and what those might mean. Leading experts discuss how to define and measure happiness, the drivers of happiness in different countries and societies, and what we know about what works and what doesn’t in terms of policy solutions and interventions. This episode is hosted by…

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