Oxford Policy Pod

Latest Episodes:

Fighting Public Corruption and Instilling Cultures of Integrity with Chris Stone Oct 28, 2026

Show notes

How can we establish cultures of integrity throughout government? In a conversation spanning American criminal justice reform advocacy and global efforts to combat corruption, students Felix Wu and Flavia Martinez speak with Chris Stone about building strong cultures of public service that endure.

How can climate diplomacy keep pace with a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, geopolitical tensions, and the urgent need for implementation? Oct 21, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, host Begim Zhanuzakova speaks with Joanna MacGregor, Chief of Strategy and UN Affairs at UN Climate Change (UNFCCC). With a career spanning governments, international organisations, and global climate negotiations, including the UK's COP26 negotiation strategy and advising the Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change, Joanna offers a unique perspective on the future of international climate governance.

Together, they explore the outcomes of the Bonn Climate Conference, expectations for COP31, and why climate diplomacy is entering what Joanna describes as an "era of implementation". They discuss the growing role of coalitions in driving climate action, the impact of geopolitical instability on global cooperation, the importance of trust in climate finance, and lessons from small island developing states.

The conversation also looks ahead to one of the defining challenges for international institutions: how artificial intelligence could reshape climate governance and what role the UNFCCC should play in ensuring that AI strengthens, global climate action.

Returning Refugees navigating a Public Health Crisis with Rachel Sider Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

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 Relief International and other organisations in Syria here.

Recorded at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.

Paul Collier on Development, Growth and What Governments Get Wrong Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

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 Development Research Group at the World Bank. His books include The Bottom Billion, The Future of Capitalism and Left Behind.

Recorded in partnership with Deep Dive.

Oxford Policy Pod: https://oxfordpolicypod.captivate.fm

#PaulCollier #Development #Economics #OxfordPolicyPod #DeepDive #RichardHeydarian

Transforming Government in the Age of AI with Aaron Maniam Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

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.

The New Rules of Middle East Investment | François-Aïssa Touazi Sep 20, 2026

Show notes

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 School of Government, University of Oxford.

Scaling What Works: Asheesh Advani on Education, Entrepreneurship and Opportunity Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

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 systems can learn from experiential, hands-on learning.

Recorded at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.

From U.S. Ambassador to Impact Investment | John Simon Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

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 to impact investing and the role of private capital in advancing sustainable development.

Recorded at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.

Building A New Economics for Human Flourishing | Eric Beinhocker Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

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 transition.

The discussion also explores Beinhocker’s upcoming book, Market Humanism, which makes the case for reshaping our economy and politics around the goal of human flourishing to build a more just, sustainable, and prosperous society.

Further information on Beinhocker’s work can be found in the links below:

Markets Built for Humans policymaker booklet: https://www.marketsbuiltforhumans.org/
“The Economic Experiment That Upended Reality”, The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/05/minimum-wage-experiment-worked/687255/
“Market Humanism: A New Paradigm for a New Era”, Democracy Journal: https://democracyjournal.org/magazine/81/market-humanism-a-new-paradigm-for-a-new-era/
Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET) Oxford research centre: https://www.inet.ox.ac.uk/

Navigating Climate, Artificial Intelligence and Global Governance Across Borders Aug 16, 2026

Show notes

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 governance, why trust and climate finance remain central to international cooperation, what to expect from COP31, and how geopolitical tensions and energy security are redefining the global climate agenda. The conversation also examines the role of young people in public policy and what effective global leadership will require in the decade ahead.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected