Building State Capability Podcast

Building State Capability at Harvard University

The Building State Capability (BSC) program researches strategies and tactics to build the capability of public organizations to implement policies and programs.

BSC has developed the Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) approach, a process of facilitated emergence which focuses on problems (not solutions) and follows a step by step process (not a rigid plan) that allows for flexible learning and adaptation. PDIA is a learning by doing approach that helps organizations develop the capability to solve complex problems while they are actually solving such problems.

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78 episodes
Updated Jan 17, 2025

Episodes78

Newest first

Apr 4, 2022 · 15 min
The Practice of Resolving Public Problems - Bandi Mbubi
“The Practice of Resolving Public Problems” series features interviews with alums of our Implementing Public Policy (IPP) executive program at the Harvard Kennedy School. The episodes focus on how our alums are using the PDIA tools and approach in designing and implementing public policy. Today, BSC Director Salimah Samji interviews IPP alum, Bandi Mbubi, to hear more about how he is utilizing what he learned in the program as he works to resolve public problems. Bandi has worked for the past
Mar 29, 2022 · 12 min
The Practice of Resolving Public Problems - Etambuyu Gundersen
“The Practice of Resolving Public Problems” series features interviews with alums of our Implementing Public Policy (IPP) executive program at the Harvard Kennedy School. The episodes focus on how our alums are using the PDIA tools and approach in designing and implementing public policy. Today, BSC Director Salimah Samji interviews IPP alum, Etambuyu Gundersen, to hear more about how she is utilizing what she learned in the program as she works to resolve public problems. Etambuyu Anamela Gun
Mar 18, 2022 · 19 min
The Practice of Resolving Public Problems - Yasmine Robinson
“The Practice of Resolving Public Problems” series features interviews with alums of our Implementing Public Policy (IPP) executive program at the Harvard Kennedy School. The episodes focus on how our alums are using the PDIA tools and approach in designing and implementing public policy. Today, BSC Director Salimah Samji interviews IPP alum, Yasmine Robinson, to hear more about how she is utilizing what she learned in the program as she works to resolve public problems. Yasmine Robinson is an
Mar 7, 2022 · 16 min
The Practice of Resolving Public Problems - Pascale Dahrouj
“The Practice of Resolving Public Problems” series features interviews with alums of our Implementing Public Policy (IPP) executive program at the Harvard Kennedy School. The episodes focus on how our alums are using the PDIA tools and approach in designing and implementing public policy. Today, BSC Director Salimah Samji interviews IPP alum, Pascale Dahrouj, to hear more about how she is utilizing what she learned in the program as she works to resolve public problems. Pascale Dahrouj is the
Feb 22, 2022 · 18 min
The Practice of Resolving Public Problems - Olga Yulikova
“The Practice of Resolving Public Problems” series features interviews with alums of our Implementing Public Policy (IPP) executive program at the Harvard Kennedy School. The episodes focus on how our alums are using the PDIA tools and approach in designing and implementing public policy. Today, BSC Director Salimah Samji interviews IPP alum, Olga Yulikova, to hear more about how she is utilizing what she learned in the program as she works to resolve public problems. Olga is a Massachusetts S
Jan 26, 2022 · 15 min
The Practice of Resolving Public Problems - Mitchell Rusu
“The Practice of Resolving Public Problems” series features interviews with alums of our Implementing Public Policy (IPP) executive program at the Harvard Kennedy School. The episodes will focus on how our alums are using the PDIA tools and approach in designing and implementing public policy. Today, BSC Director Salimah Samji interviews IPP alum Mitchell Rusu to hear more about how he is utilizing what he learned in the program as he works to resolve public problems. Mitchell Rusu is based in
Jan 21, 2022 · 33 min
The Practice of Resolving Public Problems - Jorida Zeneli
“The Practice of Resolving Public Problems” series features interviews with alums of our Implementing Public Policy (IPP) executive program at the Harvard Kennedy School. The episodes will focus on how our alums are using the PDIA tools and approach in designing and implementing public policy. Today, BSC Director Salimah Samji interviews IPP alum Jorida Zeneli to hear more about how she is utilizing what she learned in the program as she works to resolve public problems. Jorida Zeneli has 15 y
Jan 12, 2022 · 12 min
The Practice of Resolving Public Problems - Kwabena Boakye
“The Practice of Resolving Public Problems” series features interviews with alums of our Implementing Public Policy (IPP) executive program at the Harvard Kennedy School. The episodes will focus on how our alums are using the PDIA tools and approach in designing and implementing public policy. Today, BSC Director Salimah Samji interviews IPP alum Kwabena Boakye to hear more about how he is utilizing what he learned in the program as he works to resolve public problems. Kwabena Boakye is the Di
Dec 10, 2021 · 50 min
Episode 15: Getting Real about Unknowns in Complex Policy Work: A Conversation with Matt Andrews
In this BSC Podcast, Director, Salimah Samji, interviews Faculty Director, Matt Andrews, to discuss his paper "Getting Real about Unknowns in Complex Policy Work". Through a novel due diligence strategy that examines 25 essential policy questions and cites real-world examples in Mozambique, Matt's paper offers policymakers a practical way to engage with public problems in the presence of unknowns. It demonstrates the need for a more modest and realistic approach to doing complex work.
Oct 8, 2021 · 14 min
The Practice of Resolving Public Problems - Eleanor Sarpong
“The Practice of Resolving Public Problems” series features interviews with alums of our Implementing Public Policy (IPP) executive program at the Harvard Kennedy School. The episodes will focus on how our alums are using the PDIA tools and approach in designing and implementing public policy. Today, BSC Director Salimah Samji interviews IPP alum Eleanor Sarpong to hear more about how she is utilizing what she learned in the program as she works to resolve public problems. Eleanor Sarpong co-l
Oct 8, 2021 · 11 min
The Practice of Resolving Public Problems - Mohamed Hejres
“The Practice of Resolving Public Problems” series features interviews with alums of our Implementing Public Policy (IPP) executive program at the Harvard Kennedy School. The episodes will focus on how our alums are using the PDIA tools and approach in designing and implementing public policy. Today, BSC Director Salimah Samji interviews 2019 IPP alum, Mohamed Hejres, to hear more about how he is utilizing what he learned in the program as he works to resolve public problems. Mohamed is a seni
Sep 24, 2021 · 23 min
Episode 14: Pivoting Education Systems in a Crisis - Lessons from Woburn, MA Public Schools
In this BSC podcast, Director Salimah Samji interviews Matt Crowley, Superintendent of the Public School District in Woburn, MA. They discuss how this school system pivoted to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of collaboration and adaptability when leading through a crisis.
Aug 30, 2021 · 18 min
The Practice of Resolving Public Problems - Maggie Jones
“The Practice of Resolving Public Problems” series features interviews with alums of our Implementing Public Policy (IPP) executive program at the Harvard Kennedy School. The episodes will focus on how our alums are using the PDIA tools and approach in designing and implementing public policy. Today, BSC Director Salimah Samji interviews IPP 2019 alum, Maggie Jones, to hear more about how she is utilizing what she learned in the program as she works to resolve public problems. Maggie is the As
Mar 31, 2021 · 28 min
Episode 13: Building Communities of Practice: A Conversation with ELGL's Kirsten Wyatt
In this episode of the BSC podcast series, Director Salimah Samji interviews Kirsten Wyatt, Executive Director & Co-Founder of Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL). Salimah and Kirsten discuss the origin story of ELGL, how they've grown their membership to over 4,000 people, and the many ways in which they've built a sense of community among their members from all over the country.
Mar 1, 2021 · 32 min
Episode 12: Making Space for Purpose-Driven Work in Bureaucracies
In this podcast episode, BSC Director Salimah Samji interviews Dan Honig, Assistant Professor of International Development at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Salimah and Dan discuss the importance of purpose for individuals working in the public sector and how bureaucratic controls can impede the ability of these individuals to do mission-driven work. Dan also provides examples of people he's interviewed throughout the world who are connected to their purpose and working
Feb 12, 2021 · 26 min
Episode 11: Juba Peace Talks in Uganda & the Story of Joseph Kony
In this podcast episode, BSC Director Salimah Samji interviews Rob Wilkinson, Lecturer in Public Policy and Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School. They discuss a recent case study written by Anjani Datla, Senior Case Writer at HKS, and Rob Wilkinson on the Juba Peace Talks in Uganda and the story of Joseph Kony. *Please note, this episode contains depictions of violence that listeners may find alarming or disturbing. See the podcast transcript for more details.*
Dec 9, 2020 · 28 min
LTC 14: Budgeting in Times of Crisis: Interview with Sandra Naranjo
In this BSC podcast, Salimah Samji interviews Sandra Naranjo, Former Minister of Planning Development in Ecuador, who was in government when an earthquake of historic magnitude struck the country in 2016. Sandra shares how she contributed to the country's response and recovery and what she learned about public budgeting during times of crisis.
Oct 19, 2020 · 41 min
LTC 13: Message in a battle: Why communications matter in a pandemic
On October 8th, 2020, Building State Capability hosted an event titled: ‘Message in a battle: Why communications matter in a pandemic’, as part of Harvard’s Worldwide Week. The event featured a presentation by Peter Harrington, who worked with the Government of Liberia to craft their communications strategy in response to the Ebola crisis. He prioritized simplicity, conciseness, and truth in this crisis communications initiative as a means of creating awareness and influencing social behavior to
May 14, 2020 · 38 min
LTC 12: Empowering Work and Learning, Even if Things Seem Chaotic
In this BSC podcast, Prof. Matt Andrews interviews Harvard Kennedy School Professor of Public Management Mark Moore. Mark tells us why leaders should allow messiness and focus on providing their teams with information, encouragement, and a sense of urgency during crisis response even though they may feel that they should be taking control.
May 13, 2020 · 24 min
4P Model for Strategic Leadership: Projection (4 of 4)
In this BSC podcast, Salimah Samji interviews Harvard Kennedy School Lecturer in Public Policy and Leadership, Robert Wilkinson about his 4P Framework for Leadership and the fourth P: Projection.