In today’s episode, we’re discussing the big news of the week: the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Hosts Nicola and Kez speak to two experts in political philosophy and foreign policy to find out what the return of Trump means for the United States and the rest of the world. 

Dr Michael Frazer, Lecturer in Politics at the University of Glasgow gives a political philosophy take on Trump, exploring what philosophers like Plato might tell us about his personality and how he might push – and potentially break – the boundaries of democracy in the US. 

Juliet Kaarbo, Professor of Foreign Policy at the University of St Andrews and Scottish Council on Global Affairs, gives us fascinating insight into what Trump’s ho Trump might approach foreign policy, and what he might do on issues like Russian and Ukraine, and the Middle East. 

Join the Centre for Public Policy mailing list: https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/publicpolicy/stayintouch/  

Find out more about the Scottish Council on Global Affairs: https://scga.scot/ 

This week Kez speaks to Sarah Davidson, Chief Executive of Carnegie UK, and Ian Elliott, Senior Lecturer in Public Administration at the Centre for Public Policy. 

We explore the Prime Minister’s new approach to government, drawing on a paper just published by Carnegie in collaboration with the Centre for Public Policy on Mission-Led Government. What does it mean in practice, and how can it move beyond a slogan? We discuss the practicalities of delivering these missions, the role of the Treasury, and lessons from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Plus, how can communication play a part in rebuilding public trust in government?  

Read the paper: https://carnegieuk.org/publication/mission-led-government-a-radical-re-wiring-of-whitehall-or-another-failure-to-relaunch/

In this episode of Spotlight: On the Election, we’re talking climate policy.  

Featuring two interviews, with Chris Stark, Chief Executive of The Carbon Trust and Honorary Professor here at the Centre for Public Policy, and Professor Gioia Falcone, Director of the Glasgow Centre for Sustainable Energy at the University of Glasgow.  

Can new oil exploration be compatible with the transition to net zero? Why is climate change not featuring in the election campaign? How can different levels of government work together on the issue of climate change? What is GB Energy and what will it do? 

Visit the Centre for Public Policy blog to read more analysis in our Policy Insights series: www.gla.ac.uk/publicpolicy 

In this episode of ‘Spotlight: On the Election’ Professor Nicola McEwen and Professor Kezia Dugdale talk to Professor Sergi Pardos-Prado, Dr Dan Fisher and Professor Nasar Meer all experts from the University of Glasgow. 

They talk about the UK’s attitude to immigration the current status of the UK’s asylum system and what each party is proposing to do about it. 

We’re bringing you a bonus episode! 

On Monday 17 June we brought together leaders from across civil society in an online event to discuss the #UKGeneralElection2024, reflecting on the campaigns to date, the most recent polling and what they hope to see in the closing stages of the race. 

Steered by Kezia Dugdale, the episode features a discussion between Professor Nicola McEwen; Anna Fowlie, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations; Dr Emily Gray, IPSOS Scotland; Nathalie Agnew,  Institute of Directors, Edinburgh and Lothians. 

Visit the Centre for Public Policy website for more analysis:

www.gla.ac.uk/publicpolicy 

In this episode of Spotlight: On the Election, Professor Nicola McEwen and Professor Kezia Dugdale talk to the UK’s leading voice on Brexit and its impact in the UK, Professor Anand Menon, Director of UK in a Changing Europe at King's College London.

They talk about the recent European elections, what’s in the UK party manifestos on Europe ahead of the 4 July UK General Election, and what the UK and EU relationship might look like in the future.

Join us for Policy Insights Live, our live, online event on Monday 17 June. More info and sign up on the Centre for Public Policy website: www.gla.ac.uk/publicpolicy.

In this episode of ‘Spotlight: On the Election’ Prof. Kezia Dugdale speaks to world leading economist Prof. Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal & Vice Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, about the big economic challenges facing the parties and the potential policy solutions for the next government. 

Also in this episode, Prof. Graeme Roy and Dr Tanya Wilson, Senior Lecturer in Economics at the University of Glasgow, discuss how these economic issues impact people’s lives, especially low-income households, and what the parties are proposing as solutions. 

In this first episode of our ‘Spotlight: On the Election’ miniseries Nicola McEwen and Kezia Dugdale from the Centre for Public Policy speak to Stephen Noon, former senior policy adviser for the first SNP Government, and Eddie Barnes, former adviser to Ruth Davidson and the Scottish Conservatives. They reflect on the timing of the election, what's likely happening in party HQs and the big seats to watch in the coming weeks. 

In this episode Professor Kezia Dugdale, Associate Director of the Centre for Public Policy speaks to Professor Sarah Armstrong, criminologist at the University of Glasgow. They discuss an important report by the Scottish Centre for Crime & Justice Research on deaths in custody and care in Scotland, titled Nothing to See Here?

On this week's episode we focus on The Promise - the term used for the work required to deliver the findings of a review published in 2020 into the care system and what it would take to ensure  every child in Scotland could grow up loved, safe and respected.

We speak to Fraser McKinley, Chief Executive of The Promise Scotland, the organisation set up to support and drive the change to deliver on the promise.

We also talk to Sarah Davidson, Chief Executive of Carnegie UK, about wider challenges around delivering on The Promise in the context of wider public sector reform.

On this special episode focussing on minority government, we speak to Geoff Aberdein, former FM chief of staff to Alex Salmond, and Professor Nicola McEwen, Director of the UofG Centre for Public Policy.

They discuss what minority government might mean for Scotland, from day-to-day practicalities to potential implications longer term for the political process and public policy. 

Produced by Fresh Air Studios for The University of Glasgow.

We are delighted to bring you this special episode on Minimum Unit Pricing, ahead of an anticipated rise by the Scottish Government later this spring.

Professor Nicola McEwen talks to Dr Peter Rice, a former addiction psychiatrist and President of the European Alcohol Policy Alliance. He is also Chair of the Institute of Alcohol Studies.

Dr Rice was one of the founders, and a former Chair, of the Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP), which was set up in 2006. He was part of the SHAAP group that developed the proposal for Minimum Unit Pricing in 2007, which was adopted by the Scottish Government, became law in 2012 and introduced in 2018. 

This week’s episode focuses on some of the vital work happening at the University of Glasgow in the fight against Gender-Based Violence and takes a look at some of the legal reforms passing through the Scottish Parliament on this issue.  

Prof Sara Carter, the University’s Gender Equality Champion, highlights the campaigns and events happening across campus to mark the 16 Days of Activism. Kez speaks to Dr Anastacia Ryan about her new organisation ‘SISU’ and its work to dismantle the systemic barriers that perpetuate gender-based violence and inequality. Kez then chats to Eamon Keane, co-director and Principal Solicitor of the Emma Ritch Clinic, about his work and the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill currently passing through the Scottish Parliament. 

Content Warning: This episode focuses on Gender-Based Violence. If you would like to access support without listening further, please follow this link, which includes resources on sexual harassment, assault and violence.   

Links mentioned during the episode:  

• SISU Website and Launch Event: https://www.sisu-group.org/events 

• Fight for the Night March and other events to mark the 16 Days by the SRC: https://www.glasgowunisrc.org/representation/campaigns/gender-equality/16days/ 

This special episode focusses on the UK Budget detailed last week by the UK Chancellor.   

Joining us for analysis are three of our UofG experts: Graeme Roy, Dean of external engagement here at the University of Glasgow, he also serves as Chair of the Scottish Fiscal Commission.  Nicola McEwen is the Director of the Centre for Public Policy and Claire Macrae is a Senior Lecturer with research expertise on equality and risk distribution.   

Together they’ll be looking at the fiscal choices the Chancellor made, what they mean for Scotland’s balance sheet and their impact on the UK public services more generally.  

On this episode, we are joined by Dr Marianne Sensier, from the University of Manchester and The Productivity Institute, and Neil Lee, Professor of Economic Geography at the London School of Economics.  

Marianne and Neil recently took part in a workshop at the University of Glasgow discussing the priorities for the Glasgow City region, as part of the University’s ‘policy lab’ with the Glasgow City Region Intelligence Hub.  

The concept of these policy labs is to provide a way for policy makers to engage with the academic community, as well as key stakeholders - all with the aim of finding new solutions and ideas to 'wicked problems'. 

After the workshop Marian and Neil joined Graeme Roy and David Waite, lead of the Glasgow Economic Development Policy Lab and Lecturer in Urban Studies at the University of Glasgow, to discuss regional inequalities and inclusive growth. 

This episode investigates the relationship between traumatic brain injuries resulting from sporting activities and the link to dementia.  

We talk to Dr Willie Stewart, Consultant Neuropathologist at the Queen Elizabeth and Honorary Professor in Psychology and Neuroscience, about the pioneering work being done at the University to demonstrate a link between sporting head injuries and dementia.  

We also speak to Michael Marra, North East of Scotland Labour MSP, about his campaign Injury Time, and the current work to include footballing injuries in the scope of the proposed Industrial Injuries bill.

The theme for this week’s episode is climate change. 

We speak to Chris Stark, Chief Executive of the Climate Change Committee. 

We also talk to Dr Hannah Salamon, UofG Research Associate at the Centre for Public Policy, on the relationship between gender and climate change. 

Back for Season 3!

On this episode we are joined by our new Spotlight co-host Professor Nicola McEwan. Nicola is Professor of Public Policy and Director of the new Centre for Public Policy at the University of Glasgow. 

We hear from Nicola about the exciting programme of work planned for the recently established Centre. We also have analysis around recent political developments including the SNP's annual conference and what October's bi-election results will mean for the coming general election. 

In February 2023, Keith Tribe delivered a talk at the University of Oxford’s Balliol College as part of the Smith Around the World series.  This event was held in advance of the annual Snell Dinner, commemorating the 17th century benefactor and Scot John Snell, whose generosity has enabled University of Glasgow students to pursue postgraduate degrees at Balliol. Famously, Adam Smith was a Snell exhibitioner, attending Oxford after his time as a student at Glasgow.

As an independent historian, economic scholar and expert in language and translation, Keith was an ideal speaker to discuss the dissemination of Smith’s ideas over time. He is a highly regarded economic historian and has held numerous posts throughout Europe, including as senior research fellow at the University of Tartu in Estonia.

In this podcast, Keith explores the ideas and thinking behind his talk with Professor Graeme Roy of the University of Glasgow.

In this episode, we speak to Professor Nicola McEwan, an expert in devolution and inter-governmental relations, who recently joined Glasgow to establish and run a new Centre for Public Policy.

We also talk to Theodore Koutmeridis about behavioural economics and how nudges – changes to the incentives that we face – can change the outcomes of policymaking.

Timestamps

Nicola McEwan: 1:03 

Theodore Koutmeridis: 19:06

In this episode we speak to Chris Chapman, Professor of Educational Policy and Practice, and Graham Donaldson, an Honorary Professor at the School of Education, about the future direction of education policy in Scotland.   

We also talk to Philip Whyte, Director of the Institute for Public Policy Research Scotland and one of the authors of a new report published this week called Tipping the scales which looks at the social and economic harms of poverty in Scotland today. 

Timestamps

Chris Chapman and Graham Donaldson: 1:47

Philip Whyte: 19:26 

On this episode, we talk to Dr Jill Robbie, from the School of Law, to discuss the importance of law and legal rights over water both here in Scotland and around the world. 

We also speak to Spotlight co-host, Kezia Dugdale, about the work of the John Smith Centre and its role in promoting trust in politics and the political process.   

Timestamps

Jill Robbie: 1:45 

Kezia Dugdale: 23:16 

On this episode, we talk to Jenni Snell, Chief Executive of the Young Women’s Movement, on the group's new report on access to healthcare for women. 

We also speak to Professor Alex Trew on the phenomenon of ‘persistence’ in economic development and the continuing effect of historical events on modern day social outcomes. 

Time stamps: 

Jenni Snell: 1:22 

Alex Trew: 19:31 

This week Kez Dugdale reflects with guests on what the Budget means for families at the sharp end of poverty across the UK. She speaks to Chris Birt, Associate Director for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Morag Treanor, Professor of Social Policy and Inequality at the University of Glasgow. Graeme Roy also walks us through the Budget process, what it means for Scotland and why the upcoming Scottish Government Budget might be slightly different to recent years.

Season 2: Episode 14

On this episode, we talk to Dr Tanya Wilson from the UofG Adam Smith Business School about efforts within the economics profession to be more inclusive. 

We also speak to Dr Dan Fisher and Dr Esa Aldegheri, two of the three authors of the New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy. 

Timecodes:

Tanya Wilson: 2:01

Dan Fisher and Esa Aldgheree: 20:27

On this episode, we talk to Dr Amy Thomas, Lecturer in Intellectual Property and Information Law at the School of Law and CREATe, the UK Copyright and Creative Economy Centre. Amy talks about her role as PI on a project funded by the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society into Author Earnings and Contracts, looking at earnings and inequalities within the sector and pressures post-pandemic.   

We also hear from Spotlight co-host Professor Graeme Roy, speaking to Kez Dugdale in his capacity as Chair of the Scottish Fiscal Commission. Graeme talks about the role of the SFC and the findings of their new report on long term fiscal sustainability for Scotland. 

Timestamps

Graeme Roy: 1:12

Amy Thomas: 17:43

On this episode we talk to Dr Fiona McKay from Strathclyde University and Dr Meryl Kenny from the University of Edinburgh about their research around the concept of the gender sensitive parliament. 

We also speak to the School of Education's Dr Ria Dunkley about learning for sustainability and community-led environmental and climate action, as well as her work as part of the GALLANT project.

Time stamps

Dr Ria Dunkley: 1:27

Dr Fiona McKay and Dr Meryl Kenny: 25:15 

On this episode we speak to Niall Mackenzie, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Business History at the University of Glasgow's Adam Smith Business School. Niall talks about the history of the ‘Bennie Railplane’ from the early 20th century and and its relevance for contemporary debates on growth and economic development. 

We also talk to Martin Canavan, Head of Policy and Participation at Aberlour Childcare Trust. He tells us about the campaign Aberlour and dozens of other anti-poverty organsations and campaigners are launching, calling on the Scottish Government to pause public debt recovery for low-income families in Scotland. 

Timestamps

Niall Mackenzie: 1:22 

Martin Canavan: 24:30 

On this episode, we talk to Professor Tom Mullen about Section 35 of the Scotland Act and its recent use by the UK Government to prevent the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.

We also speak to Professor Sharon Wright and Dr Anna Gawlewicz about their research on the impact of COVID-19 on migrant workers. 

Timestamps:

Professor Tom Mullen: 1:38

Professor Sharon Wright and Dr Anna Gawlewicz: 27:30

Further links:

Migrant Essential Workers exhibition: https://migrantessentialworkers.com/en/exhibition/ 

2023 is the tercentenary of the birth of Adam Smith. A key pillar of the Scottish Enlightenment his ideas have had huge influence in economics, law, philosophy and the arts.   

Smith was a student, professor and rector of the University of Glasgow. Throughout the year, the University of Glasgow will be running a series of events and activities to spark a renewed conversation about his world-changing ideas and their relevance for the problems of the 21st century.   

We are very grateful for the support of the John Templeton Foundation for this project.   

To kick start our Spotlight podcast for 2023, we have brought together some diverse academics at Glasgow – covering a range of disciplines – to chat about Adam Smith and his contribution.  In the Chair, is Craig Smith, who is the Adam Smith Senior Lecturer in the Scottish Enlightenment.   

Craig is joined by Glen Pettigrove, Professor of Moral Philosophy; Sayantan Goshal, the Adam Smith Professor of Political Economy; Dr Tanya Wilson, Lecturer in Economics; Dr Maha Rafi Atal, Lecturer in Global Economy; and Bob McMaster, Professor of Political Economy.   

Further links 

UofG Adam Smith 300 website: https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/adamsmith300/ 

On this episode, we talk to Anand Menon, Professor of European Politics & Foreign Affairs at King's College London and the Director of UK in a Changing Europe. We discuss Scotland’s constitutional future, the impact of Brexit and how the UK’s political landscape might change in the coming months. 

We also speak to Nicole Busby, Professor in Human Rights, Equality and Justice at the University of Glasgow’s School of Law, about the Scottish Civil Justice Hub initiative and what civil justice encompasses. 

On this episode, we talk to Murray Pittock, Pro-Vice Principal at the University of Glasgow and Bradley Chair of English Literature, about the research in his new book 'Scotland: The Global History: 1603 to the Present' which seeks to place the international Scotland that we see today into a historical context.   

We also speak to Jocelyne Fleming, one of the authors of the ‘Road to Home’ report produced by the UK Wide Centre for Housing Evidence, looking at the role the University can play to both understand the issue of homelessness and address its root causes.

Timestamps

Murray Pittock: 1:03

Jocelyne Fleming: 20:37

On this episode we speak to Ken Gibb, Professor of Housing Economics, about what the autumn statement might mean for housing policy and energy efficiency standards, and learn about the University’s forthcoming ‘Road to Home’ report.  

We also talk to Dr Christine Hadfield from the School of Education, about her and her colleagues' work looking at the impact of COVID-19 on young people and what more we can do to tackle the legacy effects from the global pandemic. 

Timestamps 

Christine Hadfield: 0:52

Ken Gibb: 17:43

On this episode, we speak to Tom Scotto, Professor in Politics at the University of Glasgow, about what expect from the US mid-terms that are taking place on 8 November.

With the US Presidential Elections on 5 November 2024 rapidly approaching, we’re bringing you two University of Glasgow experts to unpack the election campaign so far.  

Hosts Professor Graeme Roy and Professor Nicola McEwen speak to Professor Christopher Carman, Stevenson Professor of Citizenship at the University of Glasgow, about the state of the race, the possible impacts of the results on the UK and the wider world, the role of misinformation and disinformation in the campaigns, and how the election itself might run.  

Dr Hannah Salamon, Research Associate at the Centre for Public Policy, gives us a closer look at what the election might mean for climate policy, about the records of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris on the climate, and the correlation between women’s representation and leadership and and climate outcomes, drawing on Hannah’s area of research. In her interview, Hannah uses the acronym EPA, which is the US Environmental Protection Agency. 

Keep in touch - sign up to the Centre for Public Policy mailing list: https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/publicpolicy/stayintouch/ 

Find out more about the Stevenson Trust for Citizenship events: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/socialpolitical/research/politics/stevensontrust/newsandevents/ 

On this episode, we talk to Dr Hayes Mabweazara, Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Glasgow, and one of a team of researchers investigating the health of Scotland’s media. Here, he discusses the findings of their recently published report. 

We also speak to Dr Andrew Hoolachan, Lecturer in Planning at the University of Glasgow. Dr Hoolachan reflects on how we might redesign our city centres including Glasgow, if we are to meet net zero climate targets, and what the potential implications might be for the economy and day-to-day life. 

On this episode, we speak to Jim Phillips, Professor of Economic and Social History at the University of Glasgow.  Jim talks about the key industrial disputes of the 1970s and 1980s and what we can learn from those experiences in the current climate of industrial relations. 

We also speak to Citizens Advice Scotland and their Head of Communications, Kieron Higgins, as part of Challenge Poverty Week. Kieron talks about the findings of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s annual Poverty in Scotland publication, and what’s happening on the ground in communities across Scotland. 

On this episode, we speak to Jeane Freeman and Michael Russell, curators of the ‘Future Global Shocks’ lecture series being held this autumn by the University of Glasgow in conjunction with the Campaign for Social Science. 

We also talk to one of the speakers in the series, Professor Richard Davies (University of Bristol), about what constitutes a resilient economy. 

This podcast summer special features Professor Graeme Roy in discussion with David Blanchflower, Professor of Economics at the University of Glasgow's Adam Smith Business School. Professor Blanchflower shares his views on academics' contribution to policy debates outside of academia and tips on what to do when sharing your knowledge with a wider audience.

We return for a second season of Spotlight!

On this episode, Kez Dugdale is joined by Kieran Andrews, Political Editor of the Times in Scotland, to discuss the forthcoming Programme for Government and what it means for politics and public policy over the next 12 months.  

On this episode we speak to Dr Ċetta Mainwaring, Lecturer in Sociology at Glasgow, about her research on migration and borders. 

We also talk to Professor Rebecca Madgin (University of Glasgow) and Dr Jaideep Gupte (AHRC) about a new research programme across the UK to examine the value of place in our economic and social development of communities.   

Timestamps 

Dr Ċetta Mainwaring: 00:53 

Professor Rebecca Madgin and Dr Jaideep Gupte: 23:25 

On this episode of Spotlight, we focus on productivity as well as the issue of skills and training policy.

Graeme Roy talks to Professor Bart Van Ark, the Managing Director of the UK Productivity Institute, about why productivity is important and what the latest work of the Institute is telling us about productivity in the UK and beyond.

He then chats to Professor Mel Simms, Dean of Research in the College of Social Sciences at the University of Glasgow and a Professor of Work and Employment in the Adam Smith Business School about social dialogue i.e. how workers and employers’ representative organizations discuss and negotiate issues around work, employment and the economy.

Timestamps 

Professor Bart Van Ark: 01:32 

Professor Mel Simms: 28:04 

On this episode, we focus on public policy as it effects care experienced young people.  

In October 2016, the First Minister made a commitment that Scotland would “come together and love its most vulnerable children to give them the childhood they deserve.” She announced an Independent Root and Branch Review of Care (“the Care Review”), driven by those with experience of care.  

A promise was made to children and young people that day by the most powerful people in the country. With political will and resources, the recommendations in the review would be delivered in full by 2030. 

The Promise Scotland is responsible for driving the work of change demanded by the findings of the Independent Care Review. This week, two years on from the review’s publication, the Oversight board of the Promise has produced its first progress report on that 10-year transformation plan. 

Graeme Roy speaks to Fiona Duncan and David Anderson of The Promise to explore its findings. 

The Promise Oversight Board is critical to ensuring that the Promise made to Scotland's children and families is kept. More information on the work of the Oversight Board and its membership, which includes Spotlight podcast host Kezia Dugdale, can be found at: https://thepromise.scot/

On this episode we speak to Gerry McCartney, the UK's first Professor of Wellbeing Economy, about the interdependencies between the environment, society and the economy.

We also talk to Professor Vittal Katikireddi from Glasgow’s Social and Public Health Sciences Unit on the social determinants of health outcomes. 

Timestamps 

Professor Vittal Katikireddi: 01:50 

Professor Gerry McCartney: 22:42 

On this episode we are joined by Dr Joanna Szostek, Lecturer in Political Communication at the School of Political and Social Sciences, and an expert on Central and Eastern European media. She talks about the War in Ukraine and the current political landscape. 

We also speak to Dr Mark Wong, Lecturer in Public Policy and Research Methods in Urban Studies, about the importance of how we collect data and information to inform public policy - and how the methods we use to collect and process information can themselves lead to biases in decision-making.   

Timestamps: 

Dr Joanna Szostek: 1:10 

Dr Mark Wong: 18:32 

In this episode Prof. Graeme Roy and Dr David Waite, both Senior Fellows at the Centre for Public Policy discuss alternative economic development approaches such as Doughnut Economics and Community Wealth Building that seek to balance growth with social and environmental justice to create more inclusive and sustainable cities. 

They’re joined by Prof. Anne Green, City-REDI, University of Birmingham, and Richard Crisp, researcher at the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR) at Sheffield Hallam University. They discuss the findings of their research with David on this topic and the policy context of these concepts.  

On this episode we are joined by Dr Shivali Fifield from the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland to talk about access to healthy environments as a human right and how to make those rights real.   

We also speak to Petra Meier, Professor of Public Health at UofG, and Director of the UKPRP-funded Sipher Consortium, a UK-wide hub for Systems Science in Public Health & Economic Research. She discusses her work on economic inequalities and health outcomes and the need for a system-wide view at tackling challenges of poverty, health and sustainability.   

Time stamps:

Petra Meier: 01:13

Shivali Fifield: 22: 51

We also speak to Spotlight podcast host Kezia Dugdale in her capacity as Director of the John Smith Centre.  She reflects on the work of the centre, talking about their research on current levels of trust in politics and public service. 

Russia’s war against Ukraine has shocked the world. Currently millions of Ukrainians have fled the country, while millions more are trapped under horrific circumstances. Thousands of civilians and soldiers have been killed and the scale of the humanitarian crisis continues to grow.   

On Thursday 17th March, our colleagues in the University’s School of Social and Political Sciences’ Central and Eastern European Studies and International Relations hosted a Q&A webinar on the subject of Russia’s war on Ukraine.  On this special episode of Spotlight, we bring you the recording of this webinar.

Among the topics discussed were the causes of the war; Russian brutality and the fight for freedom and democracy by Ukraine; Russia’s political system and relations with Russia; and are governments around the world doing enough?

As hundreds of thousands of people flee Ukraine and seek refuge in Moldova, Poland and other EU countries, in this episode we're taking a moment to focus on another refugee crisis, the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, with Sabir Zazai from the Scottish Refugee Council. 

Adam Smith was a former student, professor and director at the University of Glasgow and is one of Scotland's most famous figures of the 18th century. 2023 marks Adam Smith's tercentenary and to discuss his legacy we're joined by Dr Craig Smith, Adam Smith Senior Lecturer in the Scottish Enlightenment.

Timestamps:

Sabir Zazai: 01:14

Dr Craig Smith: 19:30