UofG Spotlight

University of Glasgow, College of Social Sciences

A new podcast discussing public policy and the political process – at a local, national and international level – through a Scottish lens.

  1. The Future of Higher Education in the UK

    3 DAYS AGO

    The Future of Higher Education in the UK

    Higher education is facing one of the most challenging periods in its recent history. Rising financial pressures, declining international student numbers, and shifting expectations. So what does a sustainable, inclusive, and future‑ready higher education system look like? In this episode, Prof Nicola McEwen explores the future of higher education with two leading voices. First, she speaks to Prof Sir Anton Muscatelli, former Principal of the University of Glasgow and now President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Anton sets out the scale of the financial pressures facing universities across the UK and the implications of the contrasting tuition fee policies north and south of the border. He also makes the case for an independent review of tertiary education.  Later in the episode, Nicola is joined by Prof Catherine Lido, Professor of Psychology and Adult Learning and Associate Director of the Urban Big Data Centre. Catherine takes us beyond fees and admissions to explore what true educational equality looks like today. She discusses the barriers that still prevent people from participating in education and examines how AI and technological change are reshaping both education and the labour market.

    36 min
  2. Hard choices ahead? Budget Challenges Facing the Next Scottish Government

    24 FEB

    Hard choices ahead? Budget Challenges Facing the Next Scottish Government

    In this episode, Nicola McEwen and Graeme Roy look ahead to the challenges facing the next Scottish Government as it confronts a tight fiscal landscape.    Nicola speaks with Matt Donoghue from the State Government of Victoria about Australia's Early Intervention and Investment Framework (EIIF) - an interesting approach to pooled budgeting and preventative spending that's gaining international attention. They explore how the model works, how departments are incentivised to collaborate, and what it takes to shift resources toward long‑term prevention.    Nicola then returns with Graeme and Fiona Duncan, Independent Strategic Adviser to The Promise Scotland, to consider what lessons Scotland might draw from this approach. Together they discuss whether models like pooled budgeting, whole‑family wellbeing funding, and cross‑government decision‑making can help tackle system‑wide challenges.

    41 min
  3. Work, Ageing and the Employment Rights Act

    12 FEB

    Work, Ageing and the Employment Rights Act

    This week Kez Dugdale is joined by Professor Kathleen Riach and Professor Melanie Simms from the University of Glasgow to discuss work, ageing and employment rights.   Kat takes us through her recent research on work and ageing, looking at what it means to become older in work, whether policymakers and employers are doing enough to support people and what impacts how 'old' we feel.  Then Mel discusses the details, politics and implications of the Employment Rights Act, which recently received Royal Assent in Westminster. She talks about how the changes could impact workers and employers, and what it means for collective rights and the trade unions.

    40 min
  4. Challenging Scotland's Political Leaders

    22 JAN

    Challenging Scotland's Political Leaders

    We're kicking off Season 7 of our UofG Spotlight podcast with a live episode challenging our political leaders on public service reform in Scotland. Recorded live on Monday 19 January 2026 at our event, Stop/Start: Making Public Service Reform Stick in Scotland, our host Professor Kezia Dugdale talks to: Michael Marra MSP - Scottish Labour Alison Thewliss - SNP Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP - Scottish Conservatives Graham Simpson MSP - Reform UK Jamie Greene MSP - Scottish Liberal Democrats Gillian Mackay MSP - Scottish Greens Kez quizzed our panel about whether politicians can work together to deliver for Scotland, the fiscal challenge facing Scotland, prevention, the future of the NHS, devolution, and more. We closed with a big question: What would each member stop spending money on, how much money that would save and what you would spend it on? The Centre for Public Policy will be publishing lots more insights and outputs from speakers at our Stop/Start: Making Public Service Reform Stick in Scotland event, including Professor Graeme Roy as discussed in this episode. Make sure you don't miss it - sign up to the Centre for Public Policy mailing list: https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/publicpolicy/about/

    47 min
  5. Trump's Second Act: Leadership, Tariffs, and Tensions

    16/12/2025

    Trump's Second Act: Leadership, Tariffs, and Tensions

    In this latest episode of Spotlight, we reflect on a turbulent year in American politics and its global ripple effects. Nicola McEwen and Kez Dugdale are joined by two leading voices in international affairs:  Prof Juliet Kaarbo (University of St Andrews) explores Donald Trump's evolving leadership style, the psychology behind his foreign policy decisions, and the blurring lines between domestic and international agendas. Prof Mark Blyth (Brown University) unpacks the economic and political consequences of Trump's tariff wars, rising inflation, and the resilience of U.S. institutions under executive pressure.  Tune in for expert analysis, transatlantic perspectives, and a look ahead to what the next three years might hold.  CONFERENCE TICKETS: Stop/Start: Making Public Service Reform Stick in Scotland: Book your place.

    39 min
  6. The UK Budget: What You Need to Know

    28/11/2025

    The UK Budget: What You Need to Know

    This week's episode takes a quick look at the UK Government's Budget:   What it means for Scotland?  Why has the Government made these tax decisions?  Was this a Budget for growth?  What does lifting the Two Child Limit mean?  How do we achieve effective regional development?  Professor Nicola McEwen, Director of the Centre for Public Policy, discusses all this with Graeme Roy, Professor of Economics and Chair of the Scottish Fiscal Commission, Dr David Waite, expert in regional economies and inclusive growth and Ruth Patrick, Professor in Social and Public Policy with expertise in poverty and social security.

    22 min
  7. Legal Aid Reform: What It Means for Families and Women

    13/11/2025

    Legal Aid Reform: What It Means for Families and Women

    In this episode, we tackle a critical and timely issue in the Scottish policy landscape: access to justice. Kezia speaks with two leading academics and legal aid practitioners, Fiona McPhail and Jen Ang, about the Scottish Government's ongoing consideration of Legal Aid Reform. With decades of experience in social justice law, they share insights on what reform could mean.   Then, we take a deeper look at the experiences of people trying to access justice. Joined by Satwat Rehman, Chief Executive of One Parent Families Scotland, and Marsha Scott, Chief Executive of Scottish Women's Aid, we explore the broader challenges families and women face when seeking justice. From domestic abuse to systemic barriers, they reveal what's working, what isn't, and what still needs to change.

    53 min
  8. The State of Poverty: Systems, Silos and Solutions

    09/10/2025

    The State of Poverty: Systems, Silos and Solutions

    In this Challenge Poverty Week special, Nicola McEwen and Kezia Dugdale explore the governance of poverty with Claire MacRae and Thomas Rochow from the Centre for Public Policy.   This week the First Minister reiterated again that eradicating child poverty is the driving mission for his government. The State of Poverty research team discuss how institutional silos and fragmented decision-making can hinder progress towards tackling poverty. They also explain their innovative approach to including lived experience in their work through composite stories.  In the second part of the episode, we hear from Lorraine Sanda, Clackmannanshire Council, and Lynn Hendry, Hunter Foundation, who share insights from their work driving systems change at a local level to tackle poverty. Together they explore what it really takes to govern differently.  For more information about the State of Poverty, visit the Centre for Public Policy website: https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/publicpolicy/research/state-of-poverty/  Also sign up to our State of Poverty workshop on 6th November in Glasgow: https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/publicpolicy/events/headline_1213704_en.html

    40 min
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4.8
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

A new podcast discussing public policy and the political process – at a local, national and international level – through a Scottish lens.

Information

  • Creator
    University of Glasgow, College of Social Sciences
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    98
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Any views and opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of University of Glasgow. Please visit our website for full conditions.
  • Show Website
    UofG Spotlight

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