LSE Podcasts

This podcast examines the contribution of the Pan - African University (PAU) in claiming greater autonomy over knowledge production and development polices within Africa. We talk with three PAU alumni, Sarpong Hammond Antwi, currently a PhD student at the Dundalk Institute of Technology in Ireland, Judy Ngungi, who works with the United Nations Environment Programme in Kenya and Chinedu Nevo Mirac...

Borrowing is a fundamental part of our world, but with millions considered over-indebted before the pandemic and a deepening cost of living crisis fueled by stagnating wages and high inflation, for many the burden of debt looks only set to increase. This month, LSE iQ asks “Do we always need to pay our debts?”, exploring the reasons people might find themselves with problematic levels of debt, the...

On 25 January 2023, the Phelan US Centre’s Chris Gilson spoke with Marie Yovanovitch, who was the United States’ Ambassador to Ukraine from 2016 to 2019. She has also held posts as US Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan and Armenia, and from 2001 to 2004 she was Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine. She is the author of the new book, Lessons from the Edge: A Memoir. They discussed US-Uk...

In June 2022, the Phelan US Centre’s Chris Gilson spoke to Centre Affiliate Professor James Morrison about his new book, England's Cross of Gold Keynes, Churchill, and the Governance of Economic Beliefs (Cornell University Press, 2021). They also discussed the history of the gold standard in the UK, and what research on economic and monetary history can tell us about the current moment. This Extra...

On 27 September 2022, The Phelan US Centre’s Chris Gilson and Mohid Malik spoke to Professor Rana Mitter of the University of Oxford about China’s changing national narrative. They also discussed nationalism in China and the ways China has engaged in revisionist history with regards to its conception of the current international order. This Extra Inning was produced by Chris Gilson, Mohid Malik, a...

On 9 June 2022, The Phelan US Centre’s Chris Gilson and Mohid Malik spoke to Professor Mary Kaldor of the LSE about ways to reimagine a future European security framework. They also discussed the importance of empowering the local civil society groups in Russia and Ukraine that oppose Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This Extra Inning was produced by Chris Gilson, Mohid Malik, and Emmanuel Olugbenga....

Gaming has become a normal part of many people's everyday lives, from mobile to console games it is easier than ever to be a gamer. But how do online games affect us? This month, LSE iQ asks: Can gaming make us happier? We talk about online abuse in gaming and the toxic nature of some gamers and how a location-based game like Pokémon Go gently nudges players to go outside to play and interact with...

By Ioana Puricel and Nick Muller This episode builds on the previous theme by zooming in on the World Bank’s Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) score. The scoring is based on what the Bank considers to be ideal policies and institutional qualities that contribute to growth, poverty reduction and thus aid effectiveness. We discuss criticisms and reforms for the CPIA with two promine...

By Alyssa Scharpf, Ali Raja and Sanath Jaishankar This episode addresses how the IMF conceptualises creditworthiness. We make the case that the IMF is allowing subjectivity within this, informed by ideological culture and geopolitical interests. Ultimately, this creates a self-reinforcing system of knowledge production, and leads to a loss of policy autonomy for African countries. The podcast conc...

This episode of LSE iQ asks, ‘How does class define us?’ It examines how we wear and reveal our social class in English society today. Do accents really matter? Is it enough to imitate one supposed ‘social betters’ to achieve social mobility? What cost is there to the individual who changes their social status? Sue Windebank talks to an LSE Law student who reveals how she has overcome the challeng...

This podcast asked the question, what is considered legitimate knowledge within the development studies field? It explores the role of the 'Journal Impact Factor' in solidifying existing north-south hierarchies and how funding affects the kind of research produced. It discusses the role of CODESRIA and considers how language hierarchies and barriers shape who can speak about African countries with...

Sea levels are rising, carbon emissions are increasing and deforestation is continuing at an alarming rate. Human created climate change is drastically reshaping life on earth, with up to 75% of the diversity of the species on our planet on their way to becoming extinct. This month, LSE iQ asks: How can we survive the next mass extinction? We’ll discuss the dangers of greenwashing, what it’s like...

On 9 June 2022, The Phelan US Centre’s Chris Gilson and Mohid Malik spoke to Professor Ayse Zarakol of the University of Cambridge about the state of the Liberal International Order following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. They also discuss what the rise of non-Western powers that have not fully adhered to Liberal Internationalism suggests about the future of this American-led syst...

In June 2022, the Phelan US Centre’s Chris Gilson spoke to Professor James Morrison about his experience as a faculty lead working on research projects with undergraduates as part of the US Centre’s undergraduate research assistant (UGRA) programme. Professor Morrison, who has worked with an UGRA each year since the programme’s inception in 2017, discussed the contribution that these undergraduate...

On 9 June 2022, The Phelan US Centre’s Chris Gilson and Mohid Malik spoke to Professor Charles Kupchan of the Council on Foreign Relations and Georgetown University about the implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the Liberal World Order. They also discussed the foreign policy objectives of the United States and how the United States should deal with security issues in Europe. This Extra...

On February 24th, 2022, the Phelan US Centre’s Joss Harrison spoke to Karen Torres about her experience as an undergraduate research assistant (UGRA) with Dr John Collins at the US Centre in 2019-20, and how this has influenced her academic and career plans. They also discussed her co-authored article with Dr Collins in the Journal of Illicit Economies and Development, which focuses on Colombia’s...

Capitalism and free markets have lifted billions out of poverty across the globe. But it is also blamed for widening the gap between rich and poor - with increasing numbers of people feeling left behind. Joanna Bale talks to Lea Ypi, David Hope, Julian Limberg and Tomila Lankina about defining freedom, debunking trickle-down economics and defying the Bolsheviks. Research links: Free by Lea Ypi: ht...

On 15 June 2022, The Phelan US Centre’s Chris Gilson and Mohid Malik spoke to Dr Fiona Hill of the Brookings Institute in Washington D.C. about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the ramifications for the future of NATO and the European security framework. They also discuss future possibilities of engaging with Russia and the role that non-European states may play in this process. T...

Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa (FLIA) Public Policy Podcast This episode of the Public Authority Podcast examines the impact of long-term research focussed on northern Uganda hosted at the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa. The episode talks to Professor Tim Allen and researcher Jacky Atingo to understand how this research aided the successful prosecution of former LRA commander Dominic Ongwen at...

This month we’re re-running an episode from 2019 about an issue which has come back into focus with the cost-of-living crisis. As food and energy prices soar, it’s predicted that the demand for food banks will reach record highs as those on low incomes and benefits face an uphill battle to make ends meet. Joanna Bale talks to LSE’s Aaron Reeves and Laura Lane, as well as Daphine Aikens, founder an...

This episode of LSE iQ asks do we need the arts to change the world? As the UK government looks to recover from the costs of the pandemic its decision to cut funding for creative higher education courses could be seen as a pragmatic response to the changed world or a short-signted move. LSE IQ talks to researchers who have used the creative arts to communicate their findings, and the President of...

The idea of ‘following your passion’ is widespread in popular culture and on social media. With the pandemic having given many people pause to reflect on meaning in their own lives, this episode of LSE iQ asks whether the advice to ‘follow you heart’ or to ‘find your calling’, is good advice. We’ll learn how following a calling turned one LSE graduate to beer and building a successful social enter...

In this episode of the Ballpark, we head to New York to learn more about the Empire State. We look at the 'city that never sleeps', and the rest of the state, which is one that many of us may actually know very little about. We explore how the City and the rest of the state interact, as well as how they differ on some key issues, and in one important area, education, that rift is a big one. Guest...

Welcome to LSE IQ, where we work with academics to bring you their latest research and ideas. In this episode, Nathalie Abbott speaks to Shani Orgad (Professor of Media and Communications at LSE) about representations of mothers, and what effects these have on all of us. We find out the real reasons mums leave the workforce, deep dive into the media coverage of one of the world’s most talked-about...

For this episode of The Ballpark, we head to California to take an in-depth look at the Golden State’s considerable economic power and what that means for its ability to influence environmental policy nationwide. We also discuss the state’s worsening wildfires, and what actions the state and federal government can take to mitigate them. Guest Contributors: Professor Renee Van Vechten (University o...