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UofG Spotlight Podcast

Welcome to UofG Spotlight: a University podcast discussing public policy and the political process – at a local, national and international level – through a Scottish lens. Bringing together the very best insights from colleagues from across the University of Glasgow and beyond in an accessible and engaging way.

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Special episode with Danny Blanchflower

Season 2

A hand pushes a line of dominoes that begin to tip

Nudge theory and the new UofG Centre for Public Policy

Theodore Koutmeridis on behavioural economics and Nicola McEwan on the launch of the University's new Centre for Public Policy

Children in classroom

The future of Scottish Education Policy and the Social and Economic harms of poverty in Scotland

Chris Chapman and Graham Donaldson on their new report on the future of education and the IPPR's Philip Whyte on the wide-ranging effects of poverty

View of Loch Katrine from Ben Aan

Legal Rights over Water and the work of the John Smith Centre

Jill Robbie on water rights in Scotland and elsewhere in the world and Kezia Dugdale on the work of the John Smith Centre

Illustration of many different women of various ages and distinguishing features on a snaking path

The effects of ‘persistence’ in economic development and the Young Women’s Movement on access to healthcare

Jenni Snell from the Young Women's Movement on their recent report on women's barriers to healthcare access and Alex Frew on historical legacy on modern-day economic and social outcomes

Illustrated colourful silouhettes of a range of community members

New Scots refugee integration and Does economics have a diversity problem?

Tanya Wilson on the lack of diversity in Economics and Dan Fisher and Esa Aldegheri on the new New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy

Illustration of the CREATe author earnings report

UK author earnings and fiscal sustainability

Graeme Roy on the Scottish Fiscal Commission report on fiscal sustainability for Scotland and Amy Thomas on UK author earnings

Green shoot emerging from the earth

The gender sensitive parliament and community climate action

Fiona McKay and Meryl Kenny on the gender sensitive parliament and Ria Dunkley on sustainability and community-led environmental action

Close-up of two people looking through bills

Entreprenuerialism throughout history and pausing public debt recovery

Niall Mackenzie on the 'Bennie Railplane' and Martin Canavan on the campaign to pause public debt recovery for low-income families

Illustration of workers in face masks

Secton 35 of the Scotland Act and the impact of COVID-19 on migrant workers

Tom Mullen on Section 35 and Sharon Wright and Anna Gawlewicz on the impact of COVID-19 on migrant workers

Adam Smith's legacy

To mark the start of the Adam Smith tercentenary, we speak to a range of University of Glasgow academics about Smith's enduring legacy

Scottish saltaire waving in the breeze

Constitutional futures and the Scottish Civil Justice Hub

Anand Menon on Scotland's constitutional future and Nicole Busby on the Scottish Civil Justice Hub

The history of Scotland and addressing homelessness

Murray Pittock on his new book 'Scotland: The Global History: 1603 to the Present' and Jocelyne Fleming, on the recent ‘Road to Home’ report

Little girl with a woman's hand on her shoulder

Housing policy and the impact of COVID-19 on young people

Ken Gibb on what the autumn statement will mean for housing policy and Christine Hadfield on COVID-19 and young people’s mental health

Capitol Hill dome

The US mid-term elections

Tom Scotto on what to expect from the US mid-term elections

Motorway gridlocked at rush hour

The health of Scotland's media and redesigning our city centres

Hayes Mabweazara on the health of the Scottish media and Andrew Hoolachan on the redesign of our city centres

A group of protestors carrying a large banner

The history of UK industrial disputes and Challenge Poverty week

Jim Phillips on industrial disputes of the 70s and 80s and Citizens Advice Scotland on the cost of living crisis

Satellite image of the earth in darkness, lit up by artificial lights

Future Global Shocks

Jeane Freeman and Mike Russell on the new Future Global Shocks event series and Richard Davies on resilient economies

Programme for Government 2022-23 blue text on white background

Scotland's Programme for Government

Kieran Andrews on the forthcoming Programme for Government

Season 1

People on a migrant boat on the sea

Episode 34

Cetta Mainwaring on migration and Rebecca Madgin and Jaideep Gupte on a new AHRC programme looking at the value of place in the development of communities

Building blocks with arrows lined up; hand in shot

Episode 33

Bart Van Ark on productivity in the UK and Mel Simms on social dialogue between workers and employers

Episode 32

Fiona Duncan and David Anderson from The Promise Scotland discuss the organisation's first progress report on findings from the Independent Care Review

a couple walking in the autumnal woods

Episode 31

Gerry McCartney on the wellbeing economy and Vittal Katikireddi on the social determinants of health outcomes

University of Glasgow building with Ukrainian colours wash

Episode 30

Joanna Szostek on the War in Ukraine and Mark Wong on data collection and bias in public policy making

Meadow of flowers in sunlight

Episode 29

Petra Meier on economic inequalities and health outcomes, and Shivali Fifield from the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland on access to healthy environments as a human right

rolled up architectural blueprints

Episode 28

David McAllister from Planning Aid Scotland and Kezia Dugdale on the work of the University of Glasgow's John Smith Centre

University of Glasgow building with Ukrainian colours wash

Episode 27

A special episode based on the recent UofG School of Social and Political Sciences' expert panel webinar on 'Russia's War on Ukraine', discussing key issues around the conflict

Inside of aircraft jammed with bodies of people fleeing Afghanistan

Episode 26

Sabir Zazai from the Scottish Refugee Council discusses the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, and Dr Craig Smith, Adam Smith Senior Lecturer in the Scottish Enlightenment, discusses the life and legacy of Adam Smith

Saltire drawn back to expose grey colour map of the world with Scotland in the centre

Episode 25

Professor Peter Jackson and Professor Kat Riach on Scotland's place in the world and inequalities in our economy

Burns' name on a stained glass pane white rose with green foliage

Episode 24

Kirsteen McCue, Professor of Scottish Literature and Song Culture at the University of Glasgow, on the work and legacy of Robert Burns

Photo of a straight path with mountains ahead and a bit blue sky and clouds

Episode 23

Gina Davidson, Political Editor of LBC Radio in Scotland, on what lies in store for the year ahead, and Professor Eugenio Proto on his research on mental health during the pandemic

cardboard cutout house held in hands

Episode 22

Alison Watson from Shelter Scotland and Sandy Stark & Oonagh Brown on a new app from the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities

Piles of coins

Episode 21

Ros Searle on the Living Wage and Graeme Roy on the Scottish budget

Episode 20

Catherine Happer on the media influence on public perceptions of climate change and Jaime Toney on climate change and COP26

Episode 19

A COP26 special with Henry Lovat and Gigi Jokubauskaite on Climate Law & Governance and John Crawford on global soil health

A younger hand holding an elderly hand

Episode 18

A special episode on the legislative issue of assisted dying, with Ben Colburn and Ally Thomson

colourful sheets fluttering from a towerblock

Episode 17

Alison Phipps and Hyab Yohannes on their work on refugees and Ali Fraser on violence reduction

Scottish saltaire waving in the breeze

Episode 16

Seven years on from the Scottish Independence Referendum, with Adam Tomkins and Stephen Gethins

Programme for Government cover image with wind farm

Episode 15

Programme for Government special with Sarah Davidson, CEO of Carnegie UK Trust, and Andy Philip, Political Editor of the Press & Journal

Scottish wind farm landscape

Episode 14

Jim McCormick on the work of the Robertson Trust and Ewan Gibbs on the debate around renewables and the Scottish economy

Close up of a wooden ballot box

Episode 13

David Bell on the levelling up agenda and Darren Hughes on proportional representation and electoral reform in the UK

colourful microplastics in a spoon, black background

Episode 12

Natalie Weldon on microplastics in our oceans and Adam Lang, Head of Nesta in Scotland, on the public’s relationship with tech

Wedding rings on open book

Episode 11

Jane Mair on civil law in Scotland and Ellen Boeren on the adult education landscape

Blue report document

Episode 10

A special on the Christie Commission 10 years on, with James Mitchell and former Auditor General Caroline Gardner

Dice, poker chips, on a computer keyboard

Episode 9

Heather Wardle on the forthcoming UK Gambling Act review and Ruth Davidson on her new Channel 4 doc ‘Football’s Gambling Addiction’

Empty examination hall

Episode 8

Louise Hayward on assessment in schools and Chris Chapman on narrowing the attainment gap

Green shoot emerging from the earth

Episode 7

Sir Anton Muscatelli on the UK's economic recovery post-COVID and Will Jennings on last week's elections across the UK

A quiet city street at dusk

Episode 6

Nicola McEwen on the election in Scotland and Wales, and Sarah Armstrong and Lucy Pickering on their research project 'Scotland in Lockdown'

Empty jury room

Episode 5

David Phillips from the IFS on tax and the spending commitments of party manifestos and James Chalmers on the Not Proven verdict.

A busy shopping street in Glasgow

Episode 4

Chris Carman and Fraser McMillan on their Scottish Election Study research and Danny Blanchflower on economic wellbeing and happiness.

A clasped pair of elderly looking hands

Episode 3

Sharon Wright on welfare policy implementation and Annie Gunner Logan on social care reform

Folded newspaper

Episode 2

This week we are joined by Gina Davidson, Political Editor of The Scotsman, and polling expert Mark Diffley.

Terraced housing

Episode 1

We hear from Ken Gibb on housing policy and Graeme Roy on costing party manifestos.