Explore every episode of the podcast UofG Spotlight

UofG Spotlight is back for series 8! And we're starting with the Scottish Government's Programme for Government, announced by First Minister John Swinney on 1 September.
 
We discuss what's in (and not in) the new five-year Programme for Government, from the four over-arching themes and nine new Bills, to the detail of public service reform, independence and devolution, prevention, food price caps, and lots more.
 
Regular podcast hosts Professor Nicola McEwen and Professor Kezia Dugdale are joined by leading voices in Scottish public policy and politics:

• Sarah Davidson, CEO of Carnegie UK and Honorary Professor at the Centre for Public Policy
• Peter MacMahon, writer, broadcaster and commentator on Scottish and UK politics

A brilliant conversation on what this announcement means for politics and policy in Scotland in the coming terms.

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https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/publicpolicy/about/

In this episode of Spotlight, we turn from devolved politics to global challenges, asking the important question: do we still value development aid? 

Host Nicola McEwen is joined by leading researchers from the University of Glasgow and Queen Margaret University to unpack the changing landscape of international development. Together, they explore the long-term decline in UK and global aid commitments, the real-world consequences for communities in some of the world's most vulnerable settings and the new approaches to development finance emerging. This work is being supported by the Scottish Council for Global Affairs.  

Later in the episode, Nicola speaks with SCIAF's Director of Public Engagement, Ben Wilson, about Scotland's distinctive role, the Scottish Government's commitments, and whether initiatives like aid match funding could create a different path forward. 

As global pressures mount and political priorities shift, what does the future hold for development aid - and for the communities who depend on it? 

In the final episode of our election podcast series, now 'After the Elections', we look at the results of the Scottish election, what it means for the future of public policy, and how soon we might see the impact of challenging public finances.

We're joined by two guests, Graeme Roy, Professor of Economics at the University of Glasgow and Chair of the Scottish Fiscal Commission, and Kate Higgins, former Special Adviser to the Scottish Government.   

• How hard is it to deliver change in government?  
• What is the fiscal context facing the new administration?  
• What is the likelihood of an independence referendum?
• Can the MSPs find common ground, in a parliament that is more diverse and ideologically fragmented than ever before? 
   

Tune in and subscribe.  
  
Over the last month, the Centre for Public Policy has published a range of academic insights from University of Glasgow experts, on justice, the economy, migration, the constitution and more. 
 
Visit our website to find out more: 
https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/publicpolicy/elections/ 

In this episode of our On the Elections podcast series, we're looking to England and Wales, where elections are also being held tomorrow, 7th May.

In England, almost 5,000 councillors will be elected across 134 of England's 317 councils. And the Welsh Parliament – or Senedd – is also holding its election, with a new voting system and a 50% increase in the number of Senedd members being elected. 
 
We're joined by Professor Jane Green, Director of the Nuffield Politics Research Centre and Co-Director of the British Election Study, and Professor Laura McAllister from Cardiff University's Wales Governance Centre and one of Wales' leading academics. 
 
With Jane, we discuss England, from whether this election will be a test for Keir Starmer's government, to bloc voting, how well we expect to see individual parties do from Reform UK to the Greens, and more. And with Laura, we talk about Wales, from how the new electoral system might play out in the Senedd election, to the latest polls and frontrunners, and what has gone wrong for Welsh Labour.  
 
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Read our joint report with Ipsos - Does Independence Still Matter?:
https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/publicpolicy/news/headline_1264446_en.html

Visit the Centre for Public Policy for more expert insights, from justice, to migration, the constitution, the economy, and more:
https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/publicpolicy/elections/ 

This week on the UofG Spotlight On the Elections podcast, we're talking about whether the next Scottish government can fix public services. 
 
What are the parties proposing to fix the problems in public services and help to sustain them into the future? What should they be doing? 
 
To talk about this, hosts Nicola McEwen and Kezia Dugdale are joined by Frances Mair, the Norrie Miller Professor of General Practice and Head of the School of Health and Wellbeing at the University of Glasgow, and Sarah Davidson, Chief Executive at Carnegie UK, and Honorary Professor here at the Centre for Public Policy. 
 
Tune in and subscribe. 
 
Follow the election day by day with the Centre for Public Policy on our website including live lunchtime webinars on key issues in the campaign, and written insights on policy issues facing the country.  
 
https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/publicpolicy/elections/ 

In today's episode, we're talking about the economy, and particularly whether the next Scottish Government can revive the economy in Scotland.

Host Professor Graeme Roy is joined by three experts. Sara Carter, Professor of Entrepreneurship, Vice Principal and Head of the College of Social Sciences at the University of Glasgow, Dr David Waite, senior lecturer in Urban Studies at the University of Glasgow, and Stephen Boyd, Director of the IPPR (Institute for Public Policy Research Scotland). 
 
They look at what the current future looks like for Scotland's economy; the manifestos and whether the parties have risen to the challenge ahead; what's missing and what might meet that challenge - from more focus on entrepreneurship and small business to regional devolution; and how we get back to the basics on what drives the economy. 
 
Tune in and subscribe. 
 
Follow the election day by day with the Centre for Public Policy on our website including live lunchtime webinars on key issues in the campaign, and written insights on policy issues facing the country.  
 
https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/publicpolicy/elections/ 

In this episode of the UofG Spotlight On the Elections podcast, we're looking at what's in the manifestos of the Scottish parties. 
 
Hosts Nicola McEwen and Kezia Dugdale talk to Professor Alistair Clark, a political scientist from the University of Newcastle and Chris Birt, Associate Director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.  
 
Together they discuss whether manifestos really matter, what's in them, what's not and how what they choose to emphasise gives us a greater insight into their priorities and outlook.  
 
Tune in and subscribe. 
 
Follow the election day by day with the Centre for Public Policy on our website including live lunchtime webinars on key issues in the campaign, and written insights on policy issues facing the country. 
 
https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/publicpolicy/elections/ 

This week we're looking at the rise of the right in Scotland. We're seeing Reform UK emerge in Scotland as a serious contender, and given the electoral system one that is likely to see a sizeable number of MSPs in the Scottish Parliament.

In this episode, we explore:

• What's driving the rise of parties like Reform UK
• What can we learn from similar parties elsewhere?
• And what are the implications for public policy more generally? 

First up we talk to Sunder Katwala, Director of British Future, an independent, non-partisan thinktank and registered charity, engaging people's hopes and fears about integration and immigration, identity and race, and former journalist. 

The we're joined by two academic experts, Dr Judith Sijstermans, University of Aberdeen, and Dr Pontus Odmalm, University of Edinburgh.

Tune in and subscribe.

Follow the election day by day with the Centre for Public Policy on our website including live lunchtime webinars on key issues in the campaign, and written insights on policy issues facing the country.

https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/publicpolicy/elections/

In today's episode of our UofG Spotlight: On the Elections series, we're looking at the election through the lens of global politics and growing global insecurity, specifically the US and Israel's war with Iran. 

We're joined by John Edward, Head of Operations at the Scottish Council on Global Affairs and Geoff Aberdein, Managing Partner at True North, co-host of the podcast Holyrood Sources, and a former Special Adviser to the SNP Scottish Government.

We examine what the impact of the events in the Middle East are closer to home, on devolution and for Scotland's wider place in the world.

How will the parties in their campaign HQs will be absorbing events in Middle East, will they be altering campaign plans and messaging? Does an election for a devolved parliament seem inconsequential against a backdrop of such big issues? What about fuel costs and energy, and what does global insecurity mean for the politics of independence?

Tune in and subscribe.

Follow the election day by day with the Centre for Public Policy on our website including live lunchtime webinars on key issues in the campaign, and written insights on policy issues facing the country.

https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/publicpolicy/elections/

Kicking off our 'On the Elections' series of the UofG Spotlight podcast, hosts Nicola McEwen and Kez Dugdale talk to guests Chris Carman and Mark McGeoghegan. 

A 'state of the race' episode, they talk about the key issues for the campaign ahead. 

• How much do the campaigns really matter?
• What are the polls saying, and how are key issues ranking with voters?
• What about Reform UK and just how volatile is the electorate?

Tune in for a fantastic primer on the upcoming election in Scotland.

Follow the election day by day with the Centre for Public Policy on our website here:
https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/publicpolicy/elections/

Registration for our webinars are now live!

Book here:

What can devolved governments do to address the cost-of-living crisis? In partnership with the Campaign for Social Science:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-can-devolved-governments-do-to-address-the-cost-of-living-crisis-tickets-1985828948843?aff=oddtdtcreator

What are the parties' plans on tax, spending and the economy? In partnership with the Institute for Fiscal Studies:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-are-the-parties-plans-on-tax-spending-and-the-economy-tickets-1985833580697?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

What's behind how people vote? In partnership with Ipsos:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/whats-behind-how-people-vote-tickets-1985913859814

What just happened?
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/what-just-happened-tickets-1985915371335?aff=oddtdtcreator

In this episode of Spotlight, Kezia Dugdale speaks with Jim McCormick, Chief Executive of The Robertson Trust, about the Scottish Government's new Child Poverty Framework and what truly drives progress on lifting families out of poverty, from boosting incomes to delivering strong local services.

Kezia is joined first by Dr Thomas Rochow to preview insights from the Centre's State of Poverty project and why income support alone isn't enough without accessible services and joined‑up systems.

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.

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.

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. 

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/

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. 

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.  

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. 

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  

In this season opener of Spotlight, Nicola McEwen and Kezia Dugdale explore the future of Scotland's health, focusing on prevention, systems change, and the social determinants of health.

Nicola speaks with Professor Sir Gregor Smith, Chief Medical Officer for the Scottish Government, about the long-term challenges facing the health service, the concept of Realistic Medicine, and why prevention must be central to Scotland's public health strategy. Their wide-ranging conversation touches on political decision-making pressures and the potential of AI in healthcare, offering a compelling vision for reimagining health systems.

Kezia brings in two leading voices from the University of Glasgow:

• Professor Petra Meier, Policy Modelling for Health Consortium Director, whose modelling work has influenced key public health policies such as Minimum Unit Pricing.
• Dr David Blane, Academic Lead for the Deep End GP Project, which addresses health inequalities in Scotland's most deprived communities.

Together, they unpack the economic and social drivers of health, barriers to preventative care, and the importance of whole-system approaches to improving outcomes.

This powerful episode marks the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide. Hosts Nicola McEwen and Kez Dugale reflect on the events of July 1995, when over 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were systematically murdered in a UN-declared "safe area" and 30,000 Bosnian Muslim women and children forcibly removed during the Bosnian War. 

They are joined by Sabina Kadić-Mackenzie, Chair of the Scottish charity Beyond Srebrenica and a survivor of the genocide, who shares her personal story and the mission to ensure remembrance and education in Scotland and beyond. Sabina discusses the importance of bearing witness, the challenges of teaching genocide to young people, and the lingering tensions in Bosnia today. 

Later, Dr. Richard Illingworth, Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Glasgow, joins to examine the global response to mass atrocities and the legacy of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine. What has R2P achieved in the past two decades — and where has it fallen short? 

This episode explores difficult but essential questions: What does it mean to remember? What can be learned from failure? And how can the international community do better — not just in the past, but right now? 

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of genocide, war crimes, and other themes listeners may find distressing. 

Event: 30th Commemoration of the genocide in Srebrenica: https://www.gla.ac.uk/events/listings/index.html/event/14177 

Link to Richard's article: https://eprints.gla.ac.uk/348010/ 

Beyond Srebrenica Commemoration Event: 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scotlands-national-commemoration-of-the-victims-of-the-srebrenica-genocide-tickets-1380264069989?aff=oddtdtcreator 

In this special episode, we sit down with Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli as he prepares to step down after 16 transformative years as Principal of the University of Glasgow. We reflect on his time at the University and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for higher education in Scotland and beyond. 

From steering the institution through global upheavals — including the financial crisis, Brexit, and the pandemic — to championing internationalisation while staying rooted in civic responsibility, Sir Anton shares candid insights on leadership, resilience, and the balancing act of marrying local impact with global ambition. 

We also delve into the economic outlook under a new UK Government and the role of regional innovation in this. Graeme Roy joins us to answer the question 'What is the Spending Review' as we look ahead to the upcoming statement. 

In this episode of Spotlight, hosts Nicola McEwen and Kezia Dugdale are joined by Professors Nasar Meer and Sergi Pardos-Prado from the University of Glasgow to unpack the UK Government's Immigration White Paper. This episode offers an evidence-based insight into the politics shaping UK immigration discourse. 

The discussion explores the policy, politics and the rhetoric being used - particularly language like "island of strangers" and its implications for integration and public perception. They examine whether the proposals reflect genuine policy concerns or are driven by political positioning. Challenging some assumptions around immigration, including the idea of a zero-sum labour market and the notion that stricter conditions foster better integration. They also consider Scotland's distinct workforce needs and the differences in response from the Scottish Government.  

This week, co-hosts Nicola McEwen and Kez Dugdale bring together three expert guests to delve into the outcomes and potential parallels of the recent 2025 elections in England, Australia, and Canada for a special Elections Bumper episode. 

Nicola and Kez start us off with insights from Mark McGeoghegan, University of Glasgow researcher of nationalism and contentious politics, on local elections in England. Then Nicola brings us into conversation with Andre Lecours, world-leading scholar on Canadian politics from the University of Ottawa, who reflects on the outcomes of the Canadian federal election and implications for nationalism, fragmentation, and US/Canada relations. Finally, Kez speaks with Ariadne Vromen, previously at the Australian National Univeristy and now head of Political and International Studies at the University of Glasgow, who shares insights into the campaign lead-up and results of the Australian federal election. 

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

In this special Energy Bumper episode of Spotlight, host Kez Dugdale explores how global energy policy decisions are shaping communities and industries from Central America to Central Scotland.

First, Kez speaks with Dr Ewan Gibbs, Senior Lecturer in Economic and Social History, about the shifting energy and industrial landscape in Grangemouth and Scunthorpe — two UK towns at the frontline of transition debates.

Then, Dr Hannah Salamon interviews Rosilena Lindo Riggs, former National Secretary of Energy for Panama and a leading voice in climate and energy policy. Their conversation touches on Panama's path toward a sustainable future, the global ripple effects of U.S. policy, and the vital role of women in driving a just energy transition.

Two different perspectives on one global conversation on the future of energy.

What do young people want from our politics?  

This week, Nicola McEwen is joined by Eddie Barnes and Elisabeth Loose from the John Smith Centre at the University of Glasgow to discuss their newly published UK Youth Poll 2025. 

The UK Youth Poll 2025 explores the attitudes and priorities of young people aged 16-29 across the UK. The findings reveal strong support for democracy but concern for its future, with financial worries and material needs driving much of their anxiety. Young people are calling for a more honest, solutions-focused politics, while issues like toxic masculinity, racism, and the role of social media are also key concerns. Read the full findings at www.ukyouthpoll.com. 

Our Associate Director, Kezia Dugdale hosted a political panel discussion, asking all the major parties in Scotland what we can expect to see from them in the run up to the election on the issues of poverty, public debt and the multi-level governance challenges at play.  

During the panel we heard from the Scottish Government's Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville; Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP; Cllr Blair Anderson; Miles Briggs MSP; and Paul O'Kane MSP. 

This was a joint conference the Centre for Public Policy hosted with Aberlour Children's Charity, centered on research with Professor Morag Treanor on how public debt practices can worsen families' experience of poverty. 

This week our Spotlight hosts bring you interviews on two substantial topics from experts at the University of Glasgow. Nicola McEwen starts with a brief and timely insight from Marcin Kaczmarski about the outlook for Ukraine and Europe in response to the unpredictable directions coming from the White House. Kez Dugdale then brings you an in-depth conversation with Ken Gibb on reforming council tax and the recent rises we've been seeing across Scotland. 

 Read more about the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence here: https://housingevidence.ac.uk/ 

Today's podcast focuses on a big question in public policy – why is prevention so hard? Can we spend money more wisely? Given the fiscal pressures on the system, prevention is now not just an option but a necessity to create sustainable public services. Policymakers know we should be tackling the root causes of issues, but systems, short-termism and complexity get in the way. We discuss overcoming these barriers with the former Auditor General for Scotland, Caroline Gardner, and Fiona Duncan, the Independent Strategic Advisor on The Promise Scotland.  

With regular University of Glasgow hosts Prof. Graeme Roy and Prof. Nicola McEwen. 

In today's episode, we're exploring the impact of austerity on life expectancy, population health and health inequalities across the UK. Since the early 2010s life expectancy stopped improving in the UK; in fact, for those living in the more disadvantaged areas, it actually declined. This means people have been dying younger and in larger numbers year on year. 

Dr David Walsh and Professor Gerry McCartney, both from the University of Glasgow, have been working in the population health space for a long time and have published a book setting out the evidence on how austerity policies have impacted health inequalities.  

Our regular host Kez Dugdale is joined by Centre for Public Policy colleague Dr Claire MacRae to discuss the findings. 

You can now purchase the book 'Social Murder? Austerity and life expectancy in the UK', with all proceeds going to NHS charities: https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/social-murder 

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/

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 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.

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/ 

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.  

In this episode Nicola McEwen speaks with Kezia Dugdale, former leader of Scottish Labour, and Stephen Noon former senior policy adviser for the first SNP Government, about their experiences of the referendum, the years that followed, and an upcoming report they've written for the Centre for Public Policy about what could be next for Scotland's constitution. The report is designed to stimulate debate on the path to indyref2, further devolution and how the operation of the constitution relates to some of the big domestic social challenges we face.

In the second half of the episode Nicola and Kezia discuss public opinion and polling on independence and devolution with Mark McGeoghegan, a University of Glasgow researcher of nationalism and contentious politics and an Associate Member of the Centre on Constitutional Change. 

To ensure make sure you don't miss the upcoming report from the Centre for Public Policy, make sure to join our mailing list: https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/publicpolicy/stayintouch/ 

In this episode Professor Nicola McEwen and Professor Kezia Dugdale from the Centre for Public Policy speak to the Rt Hon. Ken Macintosh, former Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, and Liz Lloyd, former Strategic Adviser and Chief of Staff to the First Minister of Scotland. They discuss the First Minister's Programme for Government announcement, what it means about the direction of this government and the fiscal challenges it faces. As two very experienced practitioners in this political event, they also dive into the process involved in drafting the Programme for Government and the Parliament's ability to scrutinise its content.  

Our Spotlight: On the Election mini-series has wrapped up and we're returning to season three for the final episode of the season.

In this episode, host Graeme Roy is joined by former President of Ireland Professor Mary McAleese. Graeme and Mary talk about building bridges - the hallmark of her presidency from 1997 to 2011 - and how she took that philosophy and turned it into action.

They discuss social justice, the health of democracy and political leadership in Europe, taking the long view in policymaking and much, much more.

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Watch the Donald Dewar Memorial Lecture on YouTube: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_3SRvbIiv4 

Hit subscribe on the UofG Spotlight podcast – we'll be back with season four soon!

This week our hosts Nicola McEwen and Kez Dugdale are joined by 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 key moments of the campaigns, the polls, what might happen on election night and what the results could mean.

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.