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PODCAST

Oxford Policy Pod

Students at the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University

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 explores contemporary policy challenges that policymakers face all over the world, and taps into the rich diversity of policy experience and insights of the student body and faculty. The podcast is supported

government politics

All Episodes

51:28

Social Protection and Climate Change: Building...

Oxford Policy Pod ·

2025/09/22

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 perspective.In this episode, Jana explains how cash transfers, pensions, health insurance, and adaptive

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01:28:07

From Classrooms to Systems: Scaling Foundational...

Oxford Policy Pod ·

2025/09/19

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 episode, Vinod shares how India is rethinking the very foundations of schooling and how CSF partners with

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01:18:17

Climate Policy from the Ground Up: Integrating...

Oxford Policy Pod ·

2025/09/15

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 Climate Advisory Council. She works at the intersection of Indigenous knowledge, youth leadership, and

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52:41

Something's Brewing with Julia

Oxford Policy Pod ·

2025/09/05

"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 “why” that drives her. From overcoming challenges in accessing education to finding her voice as a young

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40:02

Politics of Climate Activism - A Possible Utopia

Oxford Policy Pod ·

2025/08/25

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 discuss her leadership, the challenges of being a young woman in the public eye, how she addresses online

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52:36

Financing for Gender and Climate Impact

Oxford Policy Pod ·

2025/08/25

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 inclusive and just political landscape.This is not just a conversation about policy and gender; it is a

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42:10

The Future of Care

Oxford Policy Pod ·

2025/08/24

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 Cuidado.Together, they unpack why care work, largely carried out by women, remains undervalued despite

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51:29

Between Evidence and Action: Rethinking How Education...

Oxford Policy Pod ·

2025/08/09

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 solutions to collaborative system change, Nikunj shares insights from classrooms, coalitions, and policy

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31:57

Empowering Communities Through Environmental Justice

Oxford Policy Pod ·

2025/07/30

🌱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. We unpack how truly community-driven governance can transform climate action, why representation

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42:05

Intersections: Race, Ethnicity & the Global Fight...

Oxford Policy Pod ·

2025/07/25

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., the guests share personal reflections, policy insights, and bold visions for an anti-racist, decolonial

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47:14

Shaping the AI we want: A conversation with Gabriela...

Oxford Policy Pod ·

2025/07/23

🎙️ 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 not just as a technological issue, but as a societal one—one that touches education, science, culture,

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01:17:40

Something's Brewing with Shinnosuke and Mamiko

Oxford Policy Pod ·

2025/07/18

"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 Japan, who reflect on the trials and tribulations of their lives, as well as the lesser known formative

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42:53

Busyness, Burnout, and Boundaries in Public Service

Oxford Policy Pod ·

2025/07/11

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:• Why is overwhelmed and burnout a particular problem in public service?• What are the root

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25:49

Leading Boldly: Education, Power and Purpose with...

Oxford Policy Pod ·

2025/06/25

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, Minister Gwarube reflects on her first year in office—what surprised her, what challenged her, and what guides her approach. She speaks candidly about the mental toll of public leadership,

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54:04

Nudging Policy: How Behavioral Science Shapes Better...

Oxford Policy Pod ·

2025/05/30

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 government.

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42:19

Governing Education: Lessons from Leading National...

Oxford Policy Pod ·

2025/05/20

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, he unpacks what it really takes to deliver effective education reform—not just design it. Drawing on decades of experience, Saavedra outlines four essential conditions for

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01:15:34

Something's Brewing with Nami and Kenneth

Oxford Policy Pod ·

2025/05/14

"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 Mongolia and Indonesia, who are carving bold new paths in the energy and sustainability sectors. From

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42:35

What can public policy learn from literature?: A...

Oxford Policy Pod ·

2025/05/06

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 Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in Spanish-language literature— reflects on the roots of this

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51:51

A Direct Take on Democracy’s Biggest Challenges with...

Oxford Policy Pod ·

2025/03/19

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, she dissects the crisis of democracy in the West, the rise of nationalism, the evolving role of women in politics,

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25:01

Sacrifice Zones: The Price of Progress?

Oxford Policy Pod ·

2025/03/12

🎙️🌎 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 impacts of industrial pollution. She also discusses the roles of various stakeholders, the power

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151 results

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