University of Cambridge

How do people come to feel represented or unrepresented in politics? What role do place, inequality, and everyday experiences play in shaping political attitudes? And what can the rise of populism tell us about trust in democracy today? To explore these issues, Richard Westcott (host) talks to Davide Luca from the University of Cambridge and Laurenz Guenther from the Toulouse School of Economics....

Discover how Gates Cambridge scholars Usama Mirza and Ana Rojo Fierro redefine hope in today's world. Learn actionable strategies for fostering hope amidst adversity. In a world that often feels overwhelmed by challenges—environmentally, socially, politically, and financially—how do we maintain hope? This question is at the heart of discussions among thought leaders and scholars dedicated to makin...

In this episode of Crossing Channels, host Richard Westcott talks with Rachel Adams (University of Cambridge) and Tiziana Assenza (Toulouse School of Economics) about who we can trust online, how AI, platform algorithms, and human psychology shape the spread of misinformation, and what institutions can do to safeguard democracy and build a healthier digital environment. They explore why misinforma...

Can digital currencies create a more inclusive financial system, or will they deepen existing inequalities? In this episode of Crossing Channels, Sumedha Deshmukh and Bruno Biais join Richard Westcott to explore the promises, risks and policy challenges shaping the future of money. In this episode of Crossing Channels, Richard Westcott talks to Sumedha Deshmukh and Bruno Biais about whether the fu...

This episode features scholars Stephen Lezak and Ben Weissenbach discussing their work on climate change storytelling, the evolving media landscape, and how to effectively communicate environmental issues. They explore long-form journalism, the importance of trust and moral authority in media, and practices to reconnect with nature amidst a fast-changing world. Key topics The role of storytelling...

Can everything be bought? Anna Alexandrova and Léo Fitouchi talk to Richard Westcott about the limits of markets and why not everything of value can be priced. In this episode of Crossing Channels, Anna Alexandrova and Léo Fitouchi talk to Richard Westcott about the limits of markets and what happens when economic reasoning meets moral values. They explore why some things – such as dignity, fairne...

Exploring diverse leadership styles, the importance of empathy, and how leaders can balance strength with compassion in today's complex world. Featuring insights from political scientist Jennifer Piscopo and historian Justin Wei, this episode challenges traditional notions of leadership and offers fresh perspectives on leading with steadiness and care. Key topics Different leadership styles and th...

In this episode of So Now What, host Catherine Galloway engages with Gates Cambridge scholars Halliki Voolma and Seetha Tan to explore the complexities of leadership in a rapidly changing world. They discuss the importance of gender equality policies, the role of storytelling in leadership, and the necessity of balancing short-term responses with long-term goals. The conversation emphasises the po...

In this episode of Crossing Channels, Richard Westcott talks to Dr Alessio Terzi from the Bennett School of Public Policy, and Prof Christian Gollier from the Toulouse School of Economics, about what a “fair” climate transition could look like when the costs are local, the benefits are global, and the politics are hard. They explore why decarbonisation is a whole-economy transformation, what it me...

In episode one of season three of So, now what? two Gates Cambridge Scholars debate how to lead ethically in unethical times. Reham and Amy explore with host Catherine Galloway the challenges and opportunities presented by AI and social media, emphasising the importance of community empowerment, ethical practices and the role of creatives in shaping a better future. The conversation, the first in...

Richard Westcott chats with Jack Newman, Angélique Acquatella and Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg about what really drives inequality — from technology and trade to health and local policy — and how institutions can bridge the gap between national goals and everyday realities. In this podcast episode of Crossing Channels, Richard Westcott talks to Jack Newman, Angélique Acquatella and Pinelopi Koujian...

In this first episode of series five of Crossing Channels, podcast host Richard Westcott welcomes three affiliated experts - Jonathan Grant, François Bonnefon and François Poinas - to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming higher education. Welcome to the fifth series of our Crossing Channels podcast, co-produced by the Bennett School of Public Policy (UK), and the Institute for Advan...

How do we address the challenges of an ageing world? by University of Cambridge

This episode of 'So Now What' explores the multifaceted challenges of gender equality, focusing on personal stories, the impact of climate change, and the implications of technology on women's rights. The conversation highlights the ongoing struggles for reproductive freedom, the importance of storytelling, and the need for proactive engagement from men in the fight for gender equality. The guests...

In this commission for Cambridge Timeline Choir, composer Hannah Conway and librettist Hazel Gould reinterpret an Anglo-Norman treatise on menstruation, Sicom Aristotele nous dit, found in a manuscript at Trinity College, Cambridge, MS O.2.5, ff. 123r–124v. Performed by Cambridge Timeline Choir and recorded for Cambridge University Library, July 2025

In this commission for Cambridge Timeline Choir, composer Charlotte Baskerville invokes the power of saints to drive out vermin (from a manuscript at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, MS 457/395, f. 1v, ). Performed by Cambridge Timeline Choir and recorded for Cambridge University Library, July 2025

Wendy Ayres-Bennett and Benjamin Pitt join Richard Westcott to explore how speaking multiple languages shapes our identity, thinking, relationships, and boosts economic opportunities. In this episode, Richard Westcott is joined by Wendy Ayres-Bennett and Benjamin Pitt to explore a big, everyday question: what is the value of speaking other languages? The conversation looks at how the languages we...

Guests Catherine Barnard and Emmanuelle Auriol discuss how migration affects labour markets, legal protections and social cohesion, how economic incentives and border regimes shape who migrates and why, and what smarter, fairer migration policies could look like in the years ahead. In this final episode of season 4, Richard Westcott is joined by Catherine Barnard (University of Cambridge) and Emma...

In this episode of So Now What, host Catherine Galloway engages with Gates Cambridge scholars Julie Pham, Chris Tooley, and Robin Scott to explore the nuances of leadership in turbulent times. The conversation delves into the importance of moral leadership, the opportunities presented by crises like COVID-19, and the significance of self-leadership and community building. The guests share their ex...

In this episode of So, Now What host Catherine Galloway engages with Gates Cambridge scholars Paulo Savaget Nascimento, Sandile Mtetwa, and Uche Ogechukwu to explore innovative business models that address wicked problems such as energy poverty and community empowerment. The conversation emphasizes the importance of unconventional approaches, allyship, co-creation, and interdisciplinary thinking i...

In this episode, Richard Westcott is joined by Simone Schnall, Catherine Molho, and Maximilian Müller to explore a big, everyday question: why do we make the choices we do? From decisions about money and morality to careers and relationships, the conversation digs into what really drives us—whether it’s emotions, social pressure, or the stories we tell ourselves after the fact. The conversation ex...

In this episode of So Now What, host Catherine Galloway engages with Gates Cambridge scholars Luis Welbanks, Rebecca Charbonneau, and Yinuo Han to discuss the current state of astronomy, the search for extraterrestrial life, and the implications of commercial interests in space exploration. The conversation explores themes of hope and concern in the scientific community, the importance of historic...

In this episode of So Now What, host Catherine Galloway engages with Gates Cambridge scholars to discuss the pressing issues surrounding biodiversity and conservation. The conversation highlights the interconnectedness of ecosystems, the challenges posed by climate change, and the innovative solutions being implemented to promote sustainability. The guests share their experiences and insights on p...

Richard Westcott talks to Jonathan Stieglitz, IAST, and Martin White, University of Cambridge, about the global health challenges related to diet and nutrition, and the respective roles of public health policies, cultural practices, and lifestyle changes, while creating sustainable food systems that ensure access to healthy food for all and maintain economic viability. In this episode, Richard Wes...

Today, natural history museums are starting to research the deeper histories of how their collections were built, and this is revealing some surprising and troubling stories. Thylacines, or Tasmanian tigers, are icons of extinction, and some of the world’s best-preserved specimens are in University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge. This series explores new research there, uncovering an uncomfortable t...