Oxford Policy Pod

Students at the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University

A bi-weekly policy podcast based out of the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford. The Oxford Policy Pod explores pressing policy issues around the globe and is produced by students reading for a Master of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government. The podcast explores contemporary policy challenges that policymakers face all over the world, and taps into the rich diversity of policy experience and insights of the student body and faculty. The podcast is supported by the staff of the Blavatnik School of Government. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the students, speakers and featured guests only. They do not represent the views or position of featured organisations, or the Blavatnik School of Government and the University of Oxford. To keep up with the latest on our episodes, follow us on Instagram @OxfordPolicyPod_ and Twitter @OxfordPolicyPod.

  1. The "Almost Prime Minister" | Pita Limjaroenrat

    3d ago

    The "Almost Prime Minister" | Pita Limjaroenrat

    The "Almost Prime Minister" | Pita Limjaroenrat In this episode of Policy Pod with Deep Dive, Master of Public Policy students Marc Naro and Richard Heydarian sit down with Pita Limjaroenrat, the former leader of Thailand's Move Forward Party and the man widely seen as Thailand's "almost prime minister." Following his party's landmark victory in the 2023 general election, Pita appeared poised to lead Thailand's next government. Yet despite winning the popular mandate, a complex political and institutional process prevented him from taking office. Together, they explore Thailand's democratic trajectory, the relationship between electoral legitimacy and political power, the role of institutions in democratic governance, and the challenges facing reform-minded leaders in an era of political polarization. Pita also reflects on his personal journey, the future of Thai politics, and the lessons his experience offers for democracies around the world. A fascinating conversation on democracy, leadership, and what happens when winning an election is not enough to govern.

    1h 7m
  2. The Role of Pan-African Philanthropy in Financing Governance and Public Policy.

    Jun 3

    The Role of Pan-African Philanthropy in Financing Governance and Public Policy.

    This is a defining conversation on: The Role of Pan-African Philanthropy in Financing Governance and Public Policy. Host: Takudzwa Ngadziore (MPP) Co-host: Lorna Akoacha Enow (MPP) Guest: Briggs Bomba, Director of Programs at TrustAfrica The conversation is important as: It provides a practical framework for leveraging traditional values such as Ubuntu ( I am because you are) and Harambee (community fundraising) to mobilize domestic resources for democratic strengthening, reducing dependency on external donors whose priorities may not align with local needs.It comes at a critical moment when democratic governance in Africa faces growing pressures from shrinking civic space, youth disenfranchisement, and governance deficits, making homegrown financial solutions more urgent than ever. The guest Briggs Bomba serves as the Programs Director for TrustAfrica, a pan-African foundation that works across Africa to promote democratic governance and equitable development.

    47 min
  3. Behind the Feed: Algorithmic Justice, Misogyny and User Rights

    May 21

    Behind the Feed: Algorithmic Justice, Misogyny and User Rights

    In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, Thenu and Jasmine speak with Chanel Contos about the growing influence of social media algorithms on young people, relationships, and public discourse. Known for her advocacy around consent education and sexual violence prevention, Chanel reflects on how digital platforms can both amplify social movements and expose users to harmful online ecosystems. The conversation explores the ways algorithms shape behaviour, reinforce social norms, and contribute to the spread of misogynistic and radicalising content online, particularly among young men. It also examines the tension between engagement-driven platform design and user wellbeing, alongside the challenges governments and tech companies face in creating safer and more accountable digital spaces. The episode further discusses Chanel’s latest campaign on algorithmic accountability, including its goals, the barriers to reform, and what gives hope for the future of online safety and digital justice.

    36 min
  4. Populism and the Billionaire Backlash | Pepper Culpepper

    May 17

    Populism and the Billionaire Backlash | Pepper Culpepper

    In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, Master of Public Policy students Felix Wu and Meredith Lehman sit down with Pepper Culpepper — Vice Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government — to discuss his new book, Billionaire Backlash: The Age of Corporate Scandal and How it Could Save Democracy. In Billionaire Backlash, Culpepper and his co-author Taeku Lee argue that scandals centered on corporate malfeasance are a unique political force which leaders can leverage to compel lasting policy change. This discussion charts a path for how their theory applies to the present moment, at a time when populism is on the rise in democracies across the world. Recorded at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.

    46 min
  5. Moving Europe Forward | Margrethe Vestager

    May 11

    Moving Europe Forward | Margrethe Vestager

    In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, Master of Public Policy students Marc Naro and Cristian Iftodii sit down with Margrethe Vestager, former Executive Vice-President of the European Commission and one of Europe’s leading voices on competition and digital policy. The conversation explores some of the defining challenges of our time — from artificial intelligence and climate change to economic security and the future of the international order. Drawing on her years at the heart of European decision-making, Margrethe Vestager shares her vision for how Europe can navigate technological transformation while defending democratic values and global cooperation. Recorded at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.

    40 min
  6. The Future of International Law | A Discussion with Professor Philippa Webb KC

    May 7

    The Future of International Law | A Discussion with Professor Philippa Webb KC

    In a time when international law is increasingly being tested, challenged, and at times openly undermined, we speak with Professor Philippa Webb KC about the pressures facing the international legal order and the future of global governance. Drawing on her work across academia, legal practice, and international institutions, she reflects on whether the current moment represents a genuine crisis for international law, or part of a longer pattern of contestation and adaptation within the international system. The conversation explores the role of international courts in an era of selective state compliance, the tension between geopolitical realism and multilateral cooperation, and how institutions can remain effective and legitimate amid growing international instability. We also discuss technology’s impact on justice, the resilience of international institutions under strain, and her idea of “incremental creativity” — the belief that meaningful reform can still emerge from within existing legal frameworks, even during periods of profound uncertainty.

    48 min
  7. A Children-Focused Approach to Climate Policy | A Discussion with Alan Stein

    May 3

    A Children-Focused Approach to Climate Policy | A Discussion with Alan Stein

    In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, MPP students Amal Ali and Isabella Notarpietro speak with Professor Alan Stein, Director of the Children and Climate Initiative and Senior Research Fellow in Global Health and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government. An expert in early childhood development with over 300 scientific journal publications, Alan has worked throughout his career with children and families facing adversity. He has made major contributions from both scientific and clinical perspectives to understanding the relationship between parents in adversity and their babies. This episode explores the intersections between climate change and children’s health. Starting with a discussion of the unique ways in which climate change impacts children, both globally and across different regions, it then examines approaches to policymaking that foreground their experiences and incorporate their voices. The conversation also explores the Children and Climate Initiative, a groundbreaking new research and policy development collaboration led by Alan. The Initiative aims to show how climate change negatively impacts children’s health outcomes, anticipate where these effects will be most severe in the future and work with policymakers to translate these insights into policy responses. We discuss how the Initiative is contributing to increasing attention to the health impacts of climate change, particularly for children, on the global stage.

    38 min
  8. Between Giants: How Small Caribbean States Can Respond to Global Shocks | Hon. Mark Brantley

    May 1

    Between Giants: How Small Caribbean States Can Respond to Global Shocks | Hon. Mark Brantley

    In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, MPP Student from Saint Lucia in the Caribbean, Rahym R. Augustin-Joseph, sits with Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis, and Leader of the Opposition in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, in the Eastern Caribbean. Premier Brantley serves as Premier of Nevis and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Brantley previously held the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2015 to 2022. Before entering politics, he built a career as an attorney engaged in international litigation. In this episode, we address the known fact, which is that the Caribbean and Small States, are deleteriously affected by global shocks between world powers, not of their making, such as climate change, wars, geopolitical tensions, policy shifts, and a growing rightward trend among states that affects migration, international multilateral assistance and the rules based order that have protected their sovereignty. However, one cannot as said in the Caribbean, ‘lay down and play dead’, but instead, the Caribbean must employ a suite of policy and diplomatic measures that can insulate them from these global shocks, while using these windows to transform their societies. This episode addresses some of these measures that Premier Brantley believes can be done, while still focusing on what he has attempted to do in Nevis to transform.

    49 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

A bi-weekly policy podcast based out of the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford. The Oxford Policy Pod explores pressing policy issues around the globe and is produced by students reading for a Master of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government. The podcast explores contemporary policy challenges that policymakers face all over the world, and taps into the rich diversity of policy experience and insights of the student body and faculty. The podcast is supported by the staff of the Blavatnik School of Government. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the students, speakers and featured guests only. They do not represent the views or position of featured organisations, or the Blavatnik School of Government and the University of Oxford. To keep up with the latest on our episodes, follow us on Instagram @OxfordPolicyPod_ and Twitter @OxfordPolicyPod.

Information

  • Creator
    Students at the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    132
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Students at the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University
  • Show Website
    Oxford Policy Pod

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