Podcasts about programme director

Our world faces a growing set of challenges that transcend national borders - from climate change and pandemic threats to the governance of emerging technologies and the protection of public goods. Yet political authority and decision making remain overwhelmingly rooted in sovereign states. How, then, can global challenges be tackled effectively?In this special episode, we turn to the concept of global governance - the institutions, norms, and practices through which collective action is coordinated beyond the nation state. Joining us is Professor Tom Pegram, Director of the UCL Global Governance Institute and Programme Director of the MSc in Global Governance and Ethics in the UCL Department of Political Science.Tom recently delivered his inaugural lecture as Professor of Global Politics at UCL, titled “Crisis? What Crisis? Rethinking Global Governance Through the Lens of Crisis.” Drawing on that lecture and his wider body of work, this conversation ranges across his academic career and explores how moments of crisis, from financial shocks and pandemics to democratic backsliding and climate emergencies, both expose the limits of existing governance arrangements and create opportunities for innovation and reform.Mentioned in this episode:Prof Pegram's lecture on YouTubeReflexive legitimation conflict: trumpism and the crisis of legitimacy in global AI governance in Global Public Policy and Governance. UCL's Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy offers a uniquely stimulating environment for the study of all fields of politics, including international relations, political theory, human rights, public policy-making and administration. The Department is recognised for its world-class research and policy impact, ranking among the top departments in the UK on both the 2021 Research Excellence Framework and the latest Guardian rankings.

According to the Washington Post, Donald Trump made 30,573 false or misleading claims during his first term as US president – and Trump 2.0 has also shown little regard for facts or evidence. Unexpected presidential announcements are made on social media or in press conferences, and Trump's positions can appear to change overnight. Leaders of other countries, including Keir Starmer, find their own plans and statements overshadowed or knocked off course. Despite this chaos and confusion, Trump appears authentic and able to galvanise his base while other, more conventional, political communicators struggle to get their message across. So is Trump rewriting the rules for government communications? Does the UK have sufficient safeguards against our political leaders adopting Trump's attitude to facts? Does the UK have robust enough rules to ensure that government communications serve the public not partisan interest? And how is it possible to plan government communications when those plans are constantly blown away by overnight developments in the US? To discuss these questions and more, the Institute for Government, in partnership with Vuelio, was delighted to bring together an expert panel including: Katy Balls, Washington Editor for The Times Simon Baugh, Chief Executive of Government Communications, 2021–25 Alastair Campbell, former No.10 Chief Press Secretary (1997–2000) and No.10 Director of Communications (2000–03) and presenter of the Rest is Politics podcast. Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government This webinar was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. We would like to thank Vuelio for kindly supporting this event.

According to the Washington Post, Donald Trump made 30,573 false or misleading claims during his first term as US president – and Trump 2.0 has also shown little regard for facts or evidence. Unexpected presidential announcements are made on social media or in press conferences, and Trump's positions can appear to change overnight. Leaders of other countries, including Keir Starmer, find their own plans and statements overshadowed or knocked off course. Despite this chaos and confusion, Trump appears authentic and able to galvanise his base while other, more conventional, political communicators struggle to get their message across. So is Trump rewriting the rules for government communications? Does the UK have sufficient safeguards against our political leaders adopting Trump's attitude to facts? Does the UK have robust enough rules to ensure that government communications serve the public not partisan interest? And how is it possible to plan government communications when those plans are constantly blown away by overnight developments in the US? To discuss these questions and more, the Institute for Government, in partnership with Vuelio, was delighted to bring together an expert panel including: Katy Balls, Washington Editor for The Times Simon Baugh, Chief Executive of Government Communications, 2021–25 Alastair Campbell, former No.10 Chief Press Secretary (1997–2000) and No.10 Director of Communications (2000–03) and presenter of the Rest is Politics podcast. Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government This webinar was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government.  We would like to thank Vuelio for kindly supporting this event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On November 19th, 2025, National College of Ireland in (NCI) collaboration with Citi proudly announced the official kick-off of the Citi upStart programme for the 2025/26 academic year. The initiative, designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among postgraduate students, saw Citi organisers, mentors, NCI students, academics, and new partners gather for the launch event. Activate mentorship This year's programme features 165 NCI postgraduate students who took part in a series of rigorous in-house idea-development workshops facilitated by NCI academic staff. This intensive process saw 60 students progress to team formation, advancing the most promising proposals which were then presented via elevator pitches at the event. Addressing participants and mentors, Dr Prag Sharma, Director, Future of Finance Think tank, former Global Head of AI CoE at Citi expressed his admiration for the nascent ideas, and provided crucial advice on AI's role: "AI is a tool for you to use, alongside the other tools you have acquired through college and your working life. AI augments our skills; so, become experts in using it to accelerate your capabilities." Following the pitches, a "speed dating" session allowed mentors from various Citi departments to connect with student teams, exploring project proposals and identifying alignment with their skills and insights. Dr Anu Sahni, Programme Director for the MSc in AI for Business, Data Analytics, and Knowledge Transfer Champion at National College of Ireland underscored the transformative power of mentorship: "Having the guidance and support of an experienced mentor can provide a mentee with a broad range of personal and professional benefits, including gaining practical advice and encouragement, as well being exposed to new ideas, and new ways of thinking, and now having another big organisation, Mphasis onboard to support this initiative, we will definitely see a remarkable amount of value added to an already innovative collaboration." New supports This year's cohort has already benefited from additional supports, including valuable insights into innovative solution development from Georgina Lupu Florian and Adrian Florian of Wolfpack Digital. Pritesh Tiwari, CEO of Data Science Wizards (itself a spin-out company from NCI MSc in Data Science), provided guidance on idea building and validation, while Swapnil Parashar, Director of Software Engineering at Oracle Cloud, shared industry perspectives on innovation. New partnership A?significant development for this year's programme is the new strategic partnership withMphasis, a global AI-led, platform-driven technology solutions provider. Mphasis will support participating student teams through project guidance and will sponsor awards and prizes for the winners at the upcoming Dragons' Den event. Rohit Jayachandran, Head of Banking & Financial Services at Mphasis, said: "Our long-standing partnership with Citi has opened the door to impactful collaborations, such as Dragons' Den. At Mphasis, we see immense potential in the next generation of technologists, and working with Citi upStart allows us to nurture that potential and fuel innovation for the future. Additionally, Mphasis' philosophy, "AI Without Intelligence Is Artificial", aligns perfectly with the programme's focus on intelligent application of technology." The ten participating teams, comprised of master's students in Cloud Computing, Data Analytics, AI, AI for Business, Fintech, or Cybersecurity, are developing a diverse range of impactful ideas. These include "Finpals," an AI-driven solution for automating credit risk analysis; "Lendloop," a peer-to-peer lending platform; "Medinova AI" and "Medtrix," both focused on enhancing healthcare access and patient support; "Phantom," an all-in-one Irish tourism app; and "Venture Forge," which aims to innovate within the Carbon Credits Market using blockchain technology. You can read more about the teams and their projects here on the NCI we...

In this episode, we journey into the heart of a cultural battleground shaped by war, identity, and resistance with Olha Mukha. Our conversation unpacks how Ukraine's cultural resilience has become a force of national survival, even as attempts at cultural erasure intensify. We explore grassroots efforts to preserve language, art, and memory, alongside the quieter, yet powerful, ways communities refuse to let their heritage be rewritten.The discussion also turns to Russia, where artistic expression faces tightening suppression and where acts of creativity have become acts of rebellion. We trace surprising cultural parallels that surface amid conflict, the role of the Russian Orthodox Church in shaping wartime narratives, and the ways cultural diplomacy and propaganda intertwine on the global stage. Finally, we examine the long history of suppressing Ukrainian culture and look ahead: What might the future hold for Ukrainian society, identity, and artistic life once the war's dust settles? A thoughtful, far-reaching exploration of culture as both a battlefield and a beacon.Olha Mukha, PhD, is a cultural analyst and philosopher, cultural manager, curator and expert on international communication and human rights. Known for her extensive work in cultural diplomacy and human rights. She is Co-Founder and Programme Director of the Ukrainian Association of Cultural Studies - Lviv and Head of Educational and International Department of Memorial Museum “Territory of Terror”. Senior Strategist at strategic communications (IN2). She is an expert in crisis communication, creating participant journeys for sensitive topics, aesthetic perception, and memory studies, including oral history practices. The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical volatility and organised crime, to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you're a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter.Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe's leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe's business leaders. Dominic is the go-to business advisor for leaders navigating risk, crisis, and strategy; trusted for his clarity, calmness under pressure, and ability to turn volatility into competitive advantage. Dominic equips today's business leaders with the insight and confidence to lead through disruption and deliver sustained strategic advantage.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn and Subscribe for all our updates!Tell us what you liked!

The government's ‘devolution revolution' in England will see newly-created strategic authorities given greater powers to shape local economic policy through designing and delivering strategies on skills, housing, infrastructure, and transport. This will equip mayors to drive growth, raise living standards and improve services in their areas, while mayoral-led authorities are also expected to influence national economic policy through statutory local growth plans. So how can new authorities – some of which will work across new geographies – develop a well-evidenced and coherent economic strategies? How can places at different stages of development approach this challenge? What role can local businesses, universities, and civil society play in shaping these plans? And how can they best be engaged? Drawing on new IfG research, supported by the University of Surrey, which uses UK and international best practice to set out the development lifecycle of a local economic strategy, this event brough together an expert panel to explore how new strategic authorities can deliver local economic growth. Professor Lisa Collins, Pro Vice Chancellor, Research and Innovation at the University of Surrey Dr Rebecca McKee, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government Tom Walker, Interim CEO at Greater Essex Combined County Authority Mayor Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands The event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This was followed by a Q&A session and an opportunity to network over lunch with fellow attendees. We would like to thank the University of Surrey for kindly supporting this event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On 20 November, the UK Covid-19 Inquiry published its second report – four and a half years after the inquiry was first announced by Boris Johnson. This report – which follows July's report on resilience and preparedness – focuses on political and administrative decision making in the UK government during the pandemic, including from the perspectives of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. What does this report reveal about how government operated during the pandemic? What are its lessons for how future governments approach crisis management and preparedness? What has the Covid Inquiry taught us about the need for reforming how inquiries are run? And how should the government approach this challenge? To explore these questions and more, we were joined by an expert panel including: Vimbai Dzimwasha, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government Dr Rebecca McKee, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government Katie Lines, Senior Research Fellow at the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law Jim Reed, Health Reporter at the BBC The event was chaired by Tim Durrant, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

According to Wikipedia, 28 is “approximately the number of grams in an ounce, and used as such in commercial trade.” This may explain why there were 28 points in the US plan to end Russia's war on Ukraine: it was drafted by people interested in commerce and trade, and the US stands to gain some US$ 300 billion from this deal. However, the US financial gain is the only original element in the plan, the rest being a list of Russian demands denying Ukraine sovereignty by taking land from it, defining its military, its constitution and its elections, and forcing cultural and religious issues upon it.That this draft was cooked up by US forces friendly to Russia is common knowledge, but that does not make the event, let alone the plan, less of an abomination: Ukraine was treated as no more than item, while the EU was not consulted — despite being listed as liable to underwrite much of the programme. At base, this is a plan to reward aggression and the taking of land by force while imposing penalties upon those who object.To understand what exactly is wrong with the proposals, and where Ukraine goes from here, Ilana Bet-El is joined by two true women leaders: Dr Hanna Shelest, Director of Security Programmes at the Foreign Policy Council "Ukrainian Prism (https://prismua.org/en/)", and Iryna Krasnoshtan, Programme Director at the International Center for Ukrainian Victory (https://ukrainianvictory.org/). With the facts at their fingertips and the passion of fighters, this conversation explains what is at stake for the world as well as Ukraine.This episode was recorded on 27 November 2025ChaptersDissecting the 28 point “peace proposal”The international dynamics of the war in UkraineWhy Ukrainians and Europeans are left out of the conversation?What would a Ukrainian peace plan look like?MentionsUkraine Analytica Ukraine Institute28 point planWashington roiled by leaked transcript of Witkoff-Ushakov callAgathe Demarais article on the US-Russia Plan , De Wever Overstates Belgium's RisksFollowIryna Krasnoshtan LinkedIn Hanna Shelest LinkedInIlana Bet-El Women Leaders Instagram & YouTubeELNCreditsProduction: Florence FerrandoMusic: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #UppbeatContribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcastWatch now our episode on Youtube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In The Room at Accelerate Debates is a new podcast from Open City, broadcasting the live debates from Accelerate, Open City's free educational programme. In this episode, you'll hear our second debate of the year, “Constructive Criticism”, where we ask: where do we draw the line between constructive and destructive criticism in the field of architecture? Moderator Siraaj Mitha is joined by five guest speakers: Shumi Bose, Senior Lecturer in Architecture at Central Saint Martins; Alberto Villanueva who is Associate Professor and Programme Director at Ravensbourne University; Accelerate-alumna and graduate sustainable design consultant at Savills Aretha Ahunanya; Jenny Russell, Director of Education and Learning at the RIBA and Neil Pinder, honorary professor at the Bartlett School of Architecture and head of product design and architecture at Graveney School in South London.Host: Siraaj MithaMusic: Massive MusicImage credit: Luke O'DonovanThis episode includes conversations about problematic practice in architectural education as well as discussions of mental health challenges. If you've been affected by the issues discussed, please find support through the organisations below:* Samaritans – 116 123 (free, 24 hours a day) – samaritans.org * Mind (mental health support) – mind.org.ukFurther reading:Festival of the Future 2025Festival of the Future in the AJStudent MindsYouth Endowment FundArchitecture SocialThe podcast is supported by Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture platform and produced in association with the Architects' Journal, London Society, C20 Society and Save Britain's Heritage. It's recorded and produced at the Open City offices located in Bureau. Subscribe on Spotify, Soundcloud or iTunes and to further support, become an Open City Friend Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anything could happen and it probably will. Your own Budget Bingo card here and join in!https://bingobaker.com/#6926e46b7bd2d96e"By tradition, the Chancellor, unlike Ministers at the despatch box at any other time of the year, may drink alcohol during the Budget Speech if they wish." - parliament.ukStiggy @alexgroundwater and I will observe this tradition, live, during our broadcast, in solidarity with Britain's taxpayers.Alex Groundwater, aka Housing Stig, is a lifelong friend and a former Programme Director at the FT, Sony and Cisco. He's also a stats junkie and can't help himself but use public data to create graphs that debunk mainstream myths. Follow him on X to see his handiwork. https://x.com/alexgroundwater All my links: https://linktr.ee/movinghomewithcharlieSupport the showFollow me on X for daily updates: https://x.com/moving_charlie

Emily Ulman - an Australian singer, songwriter, and music festival executive program director - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. She tells us why it took her over a decade to release her latest project, Severe Clear… and takes us through the different roles she's had in the industry - highlighting programming music venues, festivals, and events, and her radio show, with the focus being on supporting local talent. Instagram - @millylala Facebook - @emilyulmanmusic Twitter - @millylala TikTok - @emilyulman YouTube - @emilyulman

On 20 November 2025, the UK Covid-19 Inquiry will publish its second report. This module focuses on political and administrative decision making during the pandemic, examining how key decisions were made across government, and civil service performance. This report will also include perspectives from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In a rapid reaction webinar the following day, our expert IfG panel unpacked the report's findings and explored their implications for future governance: Tim Durrant, Programme Director for the IfG Ministers work programme Stuart Hoddinott, Associate Director at the IfG Akash Paun, Programme Director for the IfG Devolution work programme Alex Thomas, Programme Director for the IfG Civil Service work programme The webinar was chaired by Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On 20 November 2025, the UK Covid-19 Inquiry will publish its second report. This module focuses on political and administrative decision making during the pandemic, examining how key decisions were made across government, and civil service performance. This report will also include perspectives from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In a rapid reaction webinar the following day, our expert IfG panel unpacked the report's findings and explored their implications for future governance: Tim Durrant, Programme Director for the IfG Ministers work programme Stuart Hoddinott, Associate Director at the IfG Akash Paun, Programme Director for the IfG Devolution work programme Alex Thomas, Programme Director for the IfG Civil Service work programme The webinar was chaired by Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.

Poor public service performance was a key reason for Labour's victory in the 2024 election. Following the new government's first multi-year spending review and a major reshuffle, this event brough together a panel of experts to discuss how successfully Labour has managed public services since coming to office. This event brought together a panel of experts to discuss these key questions: What was Labour's public service inheritance? How much progress has the government made on public services since the election? What impact with the spending review have on public service performance? What are the biggest public service challenges that need to be addressed over the rest of the parliament? What are the implications for the budget? As the Institute for Government published the latest edition of Performance Tracker, written in partnership with the Nuffield Foundation, which featured new analysis on the performance of public services, Amber Dellar, Stuart Hoddinott and Cassia Rowland, presented the key findings. They were joined by Stephen Bush, associate editor and columnist at the Financial Times. This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government, with an introduction by Mark Franks at the Nuffield Foundation. This event was kindly supported by the Nuffield Foundation.

This event was part of the IfG's Labour Party Conference programme. Speakers: Dr Jo Bibby, Director of Health at Health Foundation Stuart Hoddinott, Associate Director at the Institute for Government Nick Meade, Chief Executive of Genetic Alliance UK Rob Thomas, Head of Public Affairs, UK and Ireland at Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK  This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This event was part of the IfG's Labour Party Conference programme. Speakers:  Katherine Fairclough, Chief Executive of Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Council & Corporate Portfolio Holder at City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council Sue Jarvis, Co-Director at Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place Dr Henry Kippin, Chief Executive of North East Combined Authority This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place at the University of Liverpool and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Poor public service performance was a key reason for Labour's victory in the 2024 election. Following the new government's first multi-year spending review and a major reshuffle, this event brough together a panel of experts to discuss how successfully Labour has managed public services since coming to office.   This event brought together a panel of experts to discuss these key questions: What was Labour's public service inheritance? How much progress has the government made on public services since the election?   What impact with the spending review have on public service performance? What are the biggest public service challenges that need to be addressed over the rest of the parliament? What are the implications for the budget? As the Institute for Government published the latest edition of Performance Tracker, written in partnership with the Nuffield Foundation, which featured new analysis on the performance of public services, Amber Dellar, Stuart Hoddinott and Cassia Rowland, presented the key findings. They were joined by Stephen Bush, associate editor and columnist at the Financial Times. This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government, with an introduction by Mark Franks at the Nuffield Foundation.   This event was kindly supported by the Nuffield Foundation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Better use of technology, the transition from analogue to digital, and greater innovation are at the heart of the 10 Year Health Plan. This includes plans to make the NHS app a gateway to the entire NHS, integrate AI into clinical pathways, create a new Health Data Research Service, make genomic sequencing at birth universal, utilise wearable technology in treatments as standard, and to improve uptake and adoption of medicines. What are the potential benefits of greater use of technology and innovation in the NHS? Are there any risks associated with this? How deliverable is the 10 Year Health Plan's vision for the use of technology and innovation in the NHS? What are the barriers to greater adoption of technology and innovation more broadly? And how can these be overcome? How can investment in technology and innovation be protected and prioritised?   To discuss these questions and more, we were joined by an expert panel including: Matthew Chisambi, Director of Imperial College Health Partners Johan Kahlström, President and Managing Director, UK and Ireland at Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Sam Roberts, Chief Executive of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. We would like to thank Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK for kindly supporting this event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The fast stream, the civil service's flagship talent development programme, has recently seen a record number of applications and reclaimed the top spot in the Times Higher Education graduate scheme ranking. But exclusive Institute for Government research reveals that the programme still faces significant challenges, including early exits from the scheme, variable quality of postings and fast streamers struggling to find roles upon scheme completion. What should the fast stream's role be in the wider civil service recruitment ecosystem? What can the government do to ensure that the fast stream delivers more for the civil service? What can the civil service learn from other sectors? And what should future fast stream reform efforts focus on? To explore these questions, the IfG was delighted to be joined for a panel discussion on the future of the fast stream by: Robert Eagleton, National Officer for the Fast Stream at the FDA Union Rachel Hopcroft CBE, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at NatWest Group Sonia Pawson, Director of HR at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and former Head of Fast Stream The conversation started with a presentation of key IfG research findings by Teodor Grama, author of Changing course: How to reform the civil service fast stream. The event was chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

Better use of technology, the transition from analogue to digital, and greater innovation are at the heart of the 10 Year Health Plan. This includes plans to make the NHS app a gateway to the entire NHS, integrate AI into clinical pathways, create a new Health Data Research Service, make genomic sequencing at birth universal, utilise wearable technology in treatments as standard, and to improve uptake and adoption of medicines. What are the potential benefits of greater use of technology and innovation in the NHS? Are there any risks associated with this? How deliverable is the 10 Year Health Plan's vision for the use of technology and innovation in the NHS? What are the barriers to greater adoption of technology and innovation more broadly? And how can these be overcome? How can investment in technology and innovation be protected and prioritised? To discuss these questions and more, we were joined by an expert panel including: Matthew Chisambi, Director of Imperial College Health Partners Johan Kahlström, President and Managing Director, UK and Ireland at Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Sam Roberts, Chief Executive of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. We would like to thank Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK for kindly supporting this event.

Keir Starmer has announced plans for a new digital ID scheme to combat illegal working and make it easier for people to use vital government services like applying for a driving licence and accessing tax records. The government has said that digital ID will be mandatory for right to work checks by the end of this parliament. But critics argue that government has not made a clear case for digital ID, and warn that building a secure, reliable and trusted form of digital identity will be a monumental challenge to implement. So what problem – and for whom – would digital ID solve? Are the government's ambitions realistic? Is the right data and security infrastructure in place? And what could this mean for digitally excluded groups? To discuss these questions and more, we will be joined by an expert panel including: Rachel Coldicutt, Founder and Executive Director of Careful Industries Matthew Feeney, Advocacy Manager at Big Brother Watch David Normington, former Permanent Secretary at the Home Office Morgan Wild, Chief Policy Adviser at Labour Together and author of “Britcard: a progressive digital identity for Britain” The event will be chaired by Tim Durrant, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

The fast stream, the civil service's flagship talent development programme, has recently seen a record number of applications and reclaimed the top spot in the Times Higher Education graduate scheme ranking. But exclusive Institute for Government research reveals that the programme still faces significant challenges, including early exits from the scheme, variable quality of postings and fast streamers struggling to find roles upon scheme completion. What should the fast stream's role be in the wider civil service recruitment ecosystem? What can the government do to ensure that the fast stream delivers more for the civil service? What can the civil service learn from other sectors? And what should future fast stream reform efforts focus on?  To explore these questions, the IfG was delighted to be joined for a panel discussion on the future of the fast stream by:  Robert Eagleton, National Officer for the Fast Stream at the FDA Union Rachel Hopcroft CBE, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at NatWest Group Sonia Pawson, Director of HR at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and former Head of Fast Stream The conversation started with a presentation of key IfG research findings by Teodor Grama, author of Changing course: How to reform the civil service fast stream.  The event was chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. 00:00 Introduction 02:16 Presentation on report key findings 10:29 Discussion 33:54 Q&A from the audience Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Keir Starmer has announced plans for a new digital ID scheme to combat illegal working and make it easier for people to use vital government services like applying for a driving licence and accessing tax records. The government has said that digital ID will be mandatory for right to work checks by the end of this parliament. But critics argue that government has not made a clear case for digital ID, and warn that building a secure, reliable and trusted form of digital identity will be a monumental challenge to implement. So what problem – and for whom – would digital ID solve? Are the government's ambitions realistic? Is the right data and security infrastructure in place?  And what could this mean for digitally excluded groups?   To discuss these questions and more, we will be joined by an expert panel including:  Rachel Coldicutt, Founder and Executive Director of Careful Industries Matthew Feeney, Advocacy Manager at Big Brother Watch David Normington, former Permanent Secretary at the Home Office Morgan Wild, Chief Policy Adviser at Labour Together and author of “Britcard: a progressive digital identity for Britain” The event will be chaired by Tim Durrant, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tehillah Niselow speaks to Sekoetlane Phamodi, Programme Director at We The 99 People SummitSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam Smith narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher. In this blog Adam offers clear guidance for people seeking their first research assistant role. It explains how building a visible online presence, following authors whose work you admire, reaching out for short conversations, and engaging with communities can help you stand out. It also covers job alerts, broadening the types of roles you consider, attending webinars and conferences, volunteering for small tasks, and preparing strong applications by matching the person specification. Find the original text, and narration here on our website. https://communities.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/c/undergradudate/if-you-just-left-university-you-probably-got-some-336de1da-5d76-48f5-8027-0408ad5bb8a6 -- Adam Smith was born in the north, a long time ago. He wanted to write books, but ended up working in the NHS, and at the Department of Health.  He is now Programme Director in the Office of the NIHR National Director for Dementia Research (which probably sounds more important than it is) at University College London. He has led a number of initiatives to improve dementia research (including this website, Join Dementia Research & ENRICH), as well as pursuing his own research interests. In his spare time, he grows vegetables, builds Lego & spends most of his time drinking too much coffee and squeezing technology into his house. -- Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support. -- Follow us on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/ https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/ https://twitter.com/demrescommunity https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social Join our community: https://onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

As well as the election of a new government, the last year has seen the appointment of a new cabinet secretary and eight new permanent secretaries to lead departments. How will this new leadership cohort change the civil service? What should they prioritise as they get to grips with their new departments? And how can they build the most talented teams to deliver the government's priorities? To explore these questions, with a particular focus on the Civil Service Commission's role in recruiting senior leaders and developing the talent pipeline, the IfG was delighted to be joined for a panel discussion on civil service leadership and change by: Atul Devani, Civil Service Commissioner and entrepreneur John-Paul Marks CB, First Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive of HM Revenue and Customs Baroness Gisela Stuart, First Civil Service Commissioner Baroness Stuart spoke briefly to consider the opportunities and challenges for the civil service. She spoke to the Commission's strategic priorities for 2025–27. The event was chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

As well as the election of a new government, the last year has seen the appointment of a new cabinet secretary and eight new permanent secretaries to lead departments.   How will this new leadership cohort change the civil service? What should they prioritise as they get to grips with their new departments? And how can they build the most talented teams to deliver the government's priorities? To explore these questions, with a particular focus on the Civil Service Commission's role in recruiting senior leaders and developing the talent pipeline, the IfG was delighted to be joined for a panel discussion on civil service leadership and change by: Atul Devani, Civil Service Commissioner and entrepreneur John-Paul Marks CB, First Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive of HM Revenue and Customs Baroness Gisela Stuart, First Civil Service Commissioner  Baroness Stuart spoke briefly to consider the opportunities and challenges for the civil service. She spoke to the Commission's strategic priorities for 2025–27.   The event was chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Breaking The Coaching Code: How Great Coaches Transcend The Rules with Karen FoyWhat if great coaching isn't about mastering the rules, but learning when and how to transcend them?In this heartfelt and grounded episode of the Sacred Changemakers Podcast, I'm joined by Karen Foy, a Master Certified Coach, Coach Educator, Supervisor, and Mentor with over two decades of experience shaping the next generation of coaches. Karen's journey began in nursing, where her natural compassion and care for others first took root. Her love of psychology led her into the NHS, where she moved through policy and service development before discovering the transformative potential of coaching. She has since served as Programme Director for Accredited Programmes at Henley Business School, where she remains a Visiting Tutor and Honorary Fellow, continuing to inspire coaches and changemakers worldwide.Together, we explore the themes in her new book, Breaking the Coaching Code: How Great Coaches Transcend the Rules, and the deeper invitation it offers to those of us who coach to move beyond frameworks and techniques, and instead cultivate trust in our own wisdom, presence, and humanity. Karen speaks with rare humility and openness, sharing how her own path has been a lifelong process of “walking people home” to their unique selves, while continuing that same journey within her own life. We discuss concepts such as enoughness, compassion, the evolving nature of retirement, and what it truly means to live and work with integrity in a world that often demands perfection.This is a conversation filled with heart and hard-won wisdom, one that will resonate deeply with every coach, guide, and changemaker who believes that our presence, not perfection, is what truly ignites change.Key TakeawaysWhy great coaching begins where the rules end; trusting your own wisdom and humanity.The journey from nursing to coaching and what it reveals about care, service, and transformation.How to embrace “enoughness” and coach from your unique authenticity, not expertise.What the “second half of life” teaches us about purpose, letting go, and contribution.How small acts of compassion and presence ripple out to create a kinder worldLearn More About Today's GuestKaren Foy Associates & The Coach Tribe website ****→ http://www.thecoachtribe.com/Karen on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenfoy/Karen's new book → Breaking The Coaching Code: How Great Coaches Transcend The Rules by Karen Foy, https://amzn.to/42syIbKExplore Sacred Changemakers:Start your journey → SacredChangemakers.comDiscover Your Resonance Code → quiz.SacredChangemakers.comJoin our community → SacredChangemakers.com/communitySubscribe to The Coaching (R)evolution Newsletter → https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-coaching-r-evolution-7371571227230101504Books by Jayne Warrilow:‘Becoming: Poems From The Thresholds Of Change' →

Fashion Buying and Marketing, hosted by Nicole Dunlop (Programme Director, Product and Innovation) featuring graduates from the MA Fashion Design Management course, Tarja de Silva and Nidhi Ghevar.

Welcome back to the Ties That Bind.This season, we are looking at NATO from a bit of a different vantage point, specifically that of the frontline states. How are frontline states investing in and planning for their defense? How are they thinking about their role and contributions in the Alliance and on the world stage? How have their historical experiences shaped how their governments and societies think about defense, countering disinformation, and changing economic realities? And how are they preparing for a potential conflict with Russia? This week, we are looking at Poland, a country that has completely transformed its military and defense capacity over the last two decades. Periods of transition are not always painless, and we'll hear what challenges Poland has faced and what opportunities lie ahead as it looks to become a leading voice within the alliance and on the world stage.Featured guests: * Anna Fotyga, former Polish Foreign Minister, 2006-2007* Tomasz Szatkowski, former Deputy Defense Minister, 2015-2019, and Ambassador to NATO, 2019-2024* Jakub Romaniuk, Programme Director, Foundation Institute for Eastern Studies Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

Productivity in public services has never been more important. Most services are struggling to return to pre-pandemic performance levels, and the new Labour government has indicated that spending will remain tight. Improvements in performance will likely come from frontline workers finding new, innovative ways of delivering services.   So what can be done to improve productivity? By highlighting outstanding examples of innovation across public services, Productivity Pitches, a series of events hosted by the IfG, aims to share and support ways to improve performance levels. This event was the eighth in the series and focused on innovation across public services. Each speaker had 10 minutes to present their innovation, followed by 10 minutes of audience questions. The chair and a guest from The Productivity Institute – which kindly supported this event series – brought together the common themes from the pitches and discussed the lessons for improving productivity. The speakers for this edition of Productivity Pitches were: Aoife O'Higgins, Director of Evidence at Foundations, the What Works Centre for children and families explained how their work showing the efficacy of Family Group Conferencing (FGC) has led to the government legislating in the Children, Wellbeing and Schools Bill to mandate that councils offer parents a Family Group Decision Making meeting before referring a child to social services. This substantially expanded the use of FGCs. Rhian Gladman and Gary Hughes on LGA's peer challenge programme and transformation support. For its peer challenge programme, the LGA recruits senior local government officers and political leaders to act as peer reviewers. Following a meeting with the council that will be reviewed, a small team of peer reviewers is sent in to speak to people, assess processes and documents, and use their knowledge to provide peer-led feedback. For transformation support, the LGA matches peers with transformation experience with councils that need that specific advice. The event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. Joel Hoskins, Research Assistant at The Productivity Institute joined to the discuss common themes. Productivity Pitches was kindly supported by The Productivity Institute. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The IfG team headed to Birmingham to explore how mayors can secure and deliver private investment into their regions in pursuit of growth and regeneration. The IfG DevoLab is a new initiative from the Institute for Government dedicated to exploring the innovations enabled by devolution, learning from the results, and sharing the lessons so that places can take better decisions about how to use devolved powers and budgets.   IfG DevoLab #2 saw speakers from three regions – West Midlands, Greater Manchester, and the North East – set out how the powers and profile of mayors and the convening role of strategic authorities have been used to secure and deliver private investment for key regional strategic projects. ‘Investing in the West Midlands: The Birmingham Sports Quarter', Jonathan Gibson, Interim Director of Strategy at the West Midlands Combined Authority ‘Investing in Greater Manchester: The Sister Innovation District, Robert Edwards, Deputy Director of Investment at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority ‘Investing in the North East', Dr Henry Kippin, Chief Executive of the North East Combined Authority The three presenters were joined on the panel by Julia Goldsworthy, Head of Social Impact Investment at L&G, and former Director of Strategy at West Midlands Combined Authority, for a broader discussion on the benefits of devolution and mayoral leadership, the lessons less mature devolved regions can learn from those further along in the journey, and whether further devolution can accelerate growth.   This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government, with an introduction by Hannah White, CEO of the Institute for Government.  Insights from this discussion informed a published policy briefing containing the three case studies and a synthesis of key lessons. The Institute for Government would like to thank L&G for its support of this event and its wider support of the IfG DevoLab series.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

God at Work in Prisons This episode of TheoDisc comes to you during Prisons Week which takes place each year from the second Sunday of October and encourages the church to pray for prisoners and their families, those victims of and affected by crime and those working in the criminal justice system. It also aims to focus the Christian community on how we can join with what God is doing in prisons, where WTC has begun to provide theological training. It was in, what he calls "the pit", that Steven became a Christian, and after his release he studied theology with WTC and is about to matriculate at the University of Oxford. They spoke about his life experience, his reflections of prison, and the hope he has for more prisoners to come into a deep connection with God through theological study. Joining them in the conversation is Sarah Coppin, the Programme Director for WTC's prison programme.   SHOW NOTES Find out about WTC's Prison Programme: https://wtctheology.org.uk/prison-programme/ Participate in Prisons Week: https://www.prisonsweek.org/

Speakers: David Simmonds MP, Shadow Minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Dr Tom Arnold, Research Associate at the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place Cllr Abi Brown OBE, Deputy Leader of the Local Government Association Conservative Group Helen Gbormittah, Regional Director, North West at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI)   This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.   This event was held in partnership with the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place at the University of Liverpool. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Speakers: Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP, Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Caroline Elsom, Head of Reshaping The State at Onward Eve Norridge, Head of Research at Onward Dr Hannah White, Director of the Institute for Government   This event was chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.   This event was held in partnership with Onward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Speakers: Mayor Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester Cllr Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities, Economic Growth and Prosperity at Essex County Council   This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.   This event was held in partnership with Policy@Manchester - The University of Manchester. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Speaker: Baroness Barran MBE, Shadow Minister for Education Dr Kieran Mullan MP, Shadow Minister for Justice Cllr Abi Brown OBE, Deputy Leader of the Local Government Association Conservative Group   This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Conservative Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Mayor Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester Cllr Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities, Economic Growth and Prosperity at Essex County Council This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Conservative Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: David Simmonds MP, Shadow Minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Dr Tom Arnold, Research Associate at the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place Cllr Abi Brown OBE, Deputy Leader of the Local Government Association Conservative Group Helen Gbormittah, Regional Director, North West at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place at the University of Liverpool.

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Conservative Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP, Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Caroline Elsom, Head of Reshaping The State at Onward Eve Norridge, Head of Research at Onward Dr Hannah White, Director of the Institute for Government This event will be chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with Onward.

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Conservative Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Baroness Barran MBE, Shadow Minister for Education Dr Kieran Mullan MP, Shadow Minister for Justice Cllr Abi Brown OBE, Deputy Leader of the Local Government Association Conservative Group This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

Clare FM has been named Local Station of the Year at the annual IMRO Radio Awards, the most prestigious event in Irish radio. The ceremony, which celebrates excellence and achievement across the broadcasting industry, took place at the Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny last night. Clare's most listened-to radio station claimed the top honour in recognition of its dedication to quality programming, community service, and innovative broadcasting. It was also a strong night for individual programmes. Morning Focus earned a bronze award, while Live at Glór – Clare FM's All-Ireland Hurling Final Preview Show, hosted by Derrick Lynch and Syl O'Connor, was also recognised. Clare FM's Programme Director and Head of Operations, Padraic Flaherty, is delighted

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Labour Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Alex McIntyre MP, Member of the Health and Social Care Select Committee Kevin McKenna MP, Officer of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Health Professor Nicola Ranger, General Secretary and Chief Executive of the Royal College of Nursing Thea Stein, Chief Executive of the Nuffield Trust This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with the Royal College of Nursing.

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Labour Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Dr Jo Bibby, Director of Health at Health Foundation Stuart Hoddinott, Associate Director at the Institute for Government Nick Meade, Chief Executive of Genetic Alliance UK Rob Thomas, Head of Public Affairs, UK and Ireland at Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK. 

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Labour Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Alison McGovern MP, Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester Bassam Mahfouz AM, Chair of Greater London Authority Oversight Committee Deputy Mayor Nadine Peatfield, Deputy Mayor of East Midlands Combined Authority Cllr Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with Policy@Manchester - The University of Manchester.

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Labour Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Chris Ward MP, Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office Kelly Beaver MBE, Chief Executive of Ipsos, UK and Ireland Conrad Thompson, Public Sector Lead for Innovation at PA Consulting Moira Wallace, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government This event was chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with PA Consulting.

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Labour Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Katherine Fairclough, Chief Executive of Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Council & Corporate Portfolio Holder at City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council Sue Jarvis, Co-Director at Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place Dr Henry Kippin, Chief Executive of North East Combined Authority This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place at the University of Liverpool and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Labour Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Jake Richards MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Ministry of Justice Deputy Mayor Kate Green, Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities, Greater Manchester Clare Moody, Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon & Somerset Cassia Rowland, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government Fiona Rutherford, Chief Executive of JUSTICE This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with JUSTICE.

Gaming continues its upward trajectory. New stats show that in Wellington alone, jobs in the sector grew 12.8% over the last year. New Zealand now brings in $170 million more in revenue than Australia does. NZ Game Development Sector Rebate Programme Director Chantelle Cole told Mike Hosking the $170 million figure is just from the rebate recipients, so they're expecting the number to rise upon the announcement of the industry-wide figures. She says revenue is predicted to reach a billion dollars by as early as 2027. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Liberal Democrat manifesto committed to keeping people out of hospital by investing in public health and early access to community services. Prevention is also central to the government's plans for improving healthcare. But meaningfully shifting care from treatment to prevention is easier said than done. So how could the UK take a prevention-led approach to healthcare? We discussed at the 2025 Liberal Democrat Party Conference in Bournemouth with an expert panel featuring: ➡️ Andrew George MP, Member of the Health and Social Care Select Committee ➡️ Jules Payne Chief Executive at HEART UK - The Cholesterol Charity ➡️ Rob Thomas, Head of Public Affairs, UK and Ireland at Novartis UK This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with Novartis UK.