Oxford Policy Pod

How Ukraine Plans to Win the War & Rebuild the Nation | Oleksandra Azarkhina

How does a country rebuild while fighting for its survival? In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, MPP student Marc Naro interviews Oleksandra Azarkhina, International Lead of the Small Air Defence Command of the Ukrainian Air Force, former Deputy Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine. Drawing on her experience at the highest levels of government throughout Russia's full-scale invasion, Oleksandra discusses Ukraine's reconstruction strategy, the creation of a groundbreaking digital reconstruction platform to combat corruption, the coordination of international military and humanitarian assistance, and the development of Ukraine's defence industry. She also reflects on the growing importance of international cooperation in air defence, the protection of critical infrastructure, and the lessons Ukraine's wartime experience holds for Europe and its allies. From digital governance and defence innovation to public service in times of war, this conversation offers a unique insider's perspective on how Ukraine is planning not only to defend itself today, but to rebuild for the future.

Rethinking Britain's Strategy for a Changing World with Jenny Bates

As the global economic order undergoes profound change, what kind of national strategy does the UK need? In this episode, Jenny Bates, 2025–26 Heywood Fellow at the Blavatnik School of Government and Former Director General at the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), discusses how Britain can navigate an increasingly uncertain global landscape. Interviewed by MPP students Marc Naro and Eleanor Williams, the conversation explores the changing global economic order, strategic policymaking, and the UK's future role in the world. Recorded at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.

From Evidence to Action: How Research Can Strengthen Education Systems

In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, Nawaz sit down with Dr Monazza Aslam, Research Director of the Data and Research in Education Research Consortium (DARE-RC), a leading education researcher, to explore how evidence can strengthen education systems and shape better public policy. Together, they discuss why improving learning outcomes remains one of the most persistent challenges facing low and middle income countries, why investing in research is just as important as investing in schools, and how programmes like DARE-RC are working to bridge the gap between evidence and policymaking. They also examine what separates research that informs government decisions from research that remains on the shelf, drawing on DARE-RC's work in Pakistan and its engagement with policymakers to translate findings into practical reforms. Dr Monazza Aslam also reflect on the importance of building local research capacity, strengthening partnerships between researchers and governments, and where future investments in education should be directed if countries are to deliver meaningful improvements in learning.

Inside Afghanistan's Resistance: A Conversation with Ali Maisam Nazary

In this episode, BSG MPP student Claire Astrid Fuchs speaks with Ali Maisam Nazary, Head of Foreign Relations of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF), about the country's evolving security landscape. Together, they examine the collapse of the former Afghan government, the impact of the Doha Agreement, and the rise of Taliban rule, exploring how these developments have reshaped Afghanistan's political and security environment. The conversation also considers the role of the National Resistance Front, the challenges facing the Afghan people, and the prospects for Afghanistan's future security and governance amid ongoing regional and international uncertainty.

Beyond Income: Rethinking Poverty with Sabina Alkire

Is poverty simply about income, or is it about opportunities, health, education, dignity, and the freedom to live the life you value? In this episode, we are joined by Professor Sabina Alkire, Director of the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) at the University of Oxford and one of the pioneers of multidimensional poverty measurement. We talk about her remarkable academic journey, the ideas behind the Multidimensional Poverty Index, how it has shaped public policy around the world, and why measuring poverty differently can ultimately help improve millions of lives. A fascinating conversation for anyone interested in economics, development, and evidence-based public policy. 🎙 Hosted by MPP students Diego Peñaranda and Cecilia Esteche. #OxfordPolicyPod #UniversityOfOxford #Oxford #PublicPolicy #HumanDevelopment #MultidimensionalPoverty #DevelopmentEconomics #EvidenceBasedPolicy

The Politics of Care: A conversation with Belén Villegas & Rossella Ciccia

In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, Belén Tomic sits down with Dr. Belén Villegas Plá and Dr. Rossella Ciccia to talk about care, its many forms, and who bears its weight. Belén Villegas Plá is Lecturer in the Political Economy of Latin America at the Oxford Department of International Development, and Rossella Ciccia is Associate Professor of Social Policy at the Oxford Department of Social Policy and Intervention. Together, they explore how and why care has become such a politically salient issue over the past decade, the role feminist movements have played in putting it on the agenda in Latin America, and why the region has become such an important space for these discussions. The conversation also examines the challenges of turning care demands into lasting policy where social protection is fragmented and state capacity is limited. Drawing on both Latin American and European experiences, Belén and Rossella reflect on what a caring society would look like, what it would take to treat care as a shared social responsibility rather than a private burden carried disproportionately by women, and why redistributing unpaid care work remains one of the defining challenges of contemporary social policy.

Rethinking Development Aid with Kevin Watkins

In this episode of Policy Pod, Nawaz Khan and Cristian Iftodii sit down with Kevin Watkins, visiting professor at LSE's Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa and former chief executive of Save the Children UK. Having spent three decades moving through Oxfam, the United Nations, the Overseas Development Institute, and the top of the international aid sector, Kevin Watkins has become one of its sharpest internal critics, unafraid to challenge the assumptions his own field runs on. Together, they explore the unravelling of UK aid as budgets shrink and priorities tilt toward bilateral spending, the flaws he sees in the "growth first" consensus that now dominates development policy, and what years leading UNDP's Human Development Report and UNESCO's Global Education Monitoring Report taught him about the numbers that actually move governments to act. Kevin Watkins also reflects on where the aid sector has lost its way, and what a serious reset of development policy would need to look like.

James Robinson on Latin America's Development Challenge, Institutions, and the Nobel Prize

Why do some countries succeed while others remain trapped in cycles of weak institutions and slow development? In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, hosts Cecilia Esteche and Diego Peñaranda speak with Professor James Robinson, 2024 Nobel Memorial Prize laureate in Economic Sciences, Professor at the University of Chicago, and co-author of Why Nations Fail and The Narrow Corridor. The conversation explores Robinson's intellectual journey, his reflections on winning the Nobel Prize, and his latest research on what he calls the "Fundamental Imbalance" in Latin America—the persistent tension between ambitious institutional ideals and the realities of implementation. Together, they discuss why good policies often fail, how institutions shape development, the relationship between culture and political economy, Bolivia's current political and economic challenges, and what future policymakers can learn about building more inclusive societies.

The Future of Democracy: A Conversation with Maya Tudor

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A Discussion with Renato Godihno: Can Multilateralism end Global Hunger and Poverty

In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, MPP students Cristian Iftodii and Ana Luiza Barbosa speak with Renato Domith Godinho, Director of the Support Mechanism of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. A Brazilian diplomat with over twenty years of experience in multilateral governance, Renato has played a leading role in shaping international development cooperation, including in the reform of the UN Committee on World Food Security and the establishment of the Biofuture Platform. He now leads the Alliance's secretariat, based at FAO headquarters in Rome, coordinating the work of more than 200 members across 103 countries. The conversation explores whether multilateralism is still capable of solving the world's most persistent problems, and what it would take to move from political commitments to real outcomes for the hundreds of millions still living in hunger and extreme poverty. We discuss the design of the Alliance, the role of Brazil and the Global South in reshaping the development agenda, and the gap between what governments promise and what they deliver. Renato also reflects on the politics of hunger as a structural choice rather than an inevitability, the strengths and limits of the current multilateral architecture, and what an Alliance built around country leadership rather than donor priorities can achieve. The discussion closes with his thoughts on what the next decade of development cooperation should prioritise, and what role rising middle powers can play in shaping it.

Can International Law Deliver Justice for Ukraine? with Judge Mykola Gnatovskyy (ECHR)

In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, MPP student Marc Naro sits with Judge Mykola Gnatovskyy, Ukrainian Judge at the European Court of Human Rights. Judge Gnatovskyy was elected to the European Court of Human Rights in June 2022. He previously served as President of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture, as an academic partner of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and as Associate Professor of International Law at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. The conversation addresses the functioning of the European Court of Human Rights and the role of a judge within it, the evolving case law on Russia's accountability following the judgment in Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russia of July 2025, and the legal implications of Russia's expulsion from the Council of Europe in 2022. It also examines the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression established within the Council of Europe framework, the independence of international judges and the pressures they currently face, and the prospects for justice and reparation for the Ukrainian people.

Politics, Platforms and Public Engagement | A discussion with Hannah Ferguson

In this episode of the Oxford Policy Pod, MPP students Thenu Herath and Florence Guyomar speak with Hannah Ferguson, co-founder and CEO of Cheek Media Co, an Australian independent news commentary platform reshaping how people engage with politics and culture. Hannah is also the co-host of Big Small Talk and the bestselling author of Bite Back and Taboo. Her work spans journalism, law and media, with writing featured in outlets including The New York Times and The Guardian. The conversation explores how platforms are transforming political engagement and how Cheek Media bridges politics and pop culture to make public discourse more accessible. We explore the role of algorithms in shaping political engagement, the tension between engagement and quality, and the extent to which creators can push back against platform incentives. Hannah discusses the need for greater transparency and accountability in digital platforms, what effective regulation might look like, and her vision for the future of political media. Finally, the discussion turns to Hannah’s decision to run as an independent in the next federal election, including what it means to move from commenting on politics to participating in it.