One series at a time, we break down complex issues into simple questions. 

Subscribe to the podcast here: https://mind-over-chatter.captivate.fm/listen 

In this first series, we’ll explore climate change. Climate change is likely to affect almost every area of our lives… like a toddler with sticky fingers. But how did it become this way? What are we doing about it now? And what does the future hold?

We’ll ask smart people some simple questions and see what happens!

New episodes every Thursday.

From the University of Cambridge and Cambridge Zero

Mind Over Chatter, the Cambridge University Podcast!

Say That Again Slowly is a series of student led podcasts that explore topics and research presented at the Cambridge Festival.

The Festival delivers strong and distinct platforms for the sciences and the arts, humanities and social sciences. In 2022 it includes a uniquely Cambridge, eclectic mixture of over 350 events and activities: from panel discussions, film premieres, and self-guided walking tours, to ‘try this at home’ activities for the whole family. 

Topics cover the breadth of Cambridge research and will be presented across the Festival’s four themes: Society, Health, Environment and Discovery!

The University’s Public Engagement team brings the Cambridge Festival to you. To find out about their other events such as Open Cambridge, and their training and development programme for researchers, please visit 

cam.ac.uk/public-engagement

Music by Coby O’Brien 
Produced by Rebekah King

Cambridge Festival

So, now what? the new podcast from Gates Cambridge, a leading scholarship programme for outstanding international postgraduates at the University of Cambridge.
 
Our guests are the scholars themselves - big thinkers from a range of different backgrounds and disciplines - who are out there finding solutions to some of our most wicked problems from the global economy and the environment, to technology, politics and universal healthcare.
 
They'll share their optimism and their experience, and give us a peek at their 'to do' lists too.  But they'll also be inviting the rest of us to join them - sharing 'So, now what?' actions that we can all apply today. 
 
Join me, Catherine Galloway, and a panel of Gates Cambridge scholars for conversations that lead to positive change. 
 
So, now what? with Gates Cambridge.  Available monthly on all your favourite podcast platforms.

So, now what?

Artificial Intelligence can be found in every aspect of our lives. From A-level grade predicting algorithms to Netflix recommendations, AI is set to change the choices we make and how our personal information will be used. 

Subscribe to the podcast here: mind-over-chatter.captivate.fm/listen

In this episode, we explore the future of AI - its potential benefits and harms - with our three guests. Beth Singler told us about the different cultural consequences of AI, and how the way we think about the future of AI reflects more about society today than the future itself. John Zerilli shared his views on the consequences of AI for democratic decision-making, and Richard Watson urged us to conceive of the future of AI in terms of ‘scenario planning’, rather than predicting the future directly. We cover topics ranging from how to make AI ‘ethical’, how the media representation of AI can colour the public’s perception of what the real issues are, and the importance of an international AI regulatory system. 

This episode was produced by Nick Saffell, James Dolan and Naomi Clements-Brod. Annie Thwaite and Charlotte Zemmel provide crucial research and production support for Series 2.

Please take our survey. How did you find us? Do you want more Mind Over Chatter in your life? Less? We want to know. So we put together this survey https://forms.gle/r9CfHpJVUEWrxoyx9. If you could please take a few minutes to fill it out, it would be a big help.

What is the future of artificial intelligence?

Cornel West, one of America’s most celebrated and provocative public intellectuals, in conversation with Paul Gilroy (KCL) on Politics and Race.

Professor Cornel West in conversation with Paul Gilroy on Politics and Race

Animals in Biomedical Research: Replacement, Refinement, Reduction - with Selina Ballantyne  

Will we ever be able to stop using animals in the laboratory? 

This episode, Rebekah King talks to Selina Ballantyne about the ways in which animal testing is being replaced, refined, and reduced such that good science and good animal welfare can go hand in hand.  

Find out more at the Cambridge Festival 2022 https://www.festival.cam.ac.uk/events/3rs-animals-biomedical-research 
 
Coby O'Brien  - Music
Produced by Rebekah King

https://www.festival.cam.ac.uk/events/3rs-animals-biomedical-research

Animals in Biomedical Research: Replacement, Refinement, Reduction - with Selina Ballantyne

Recipes for Saving the Planet – with Dana Ellis Hunnes 

What can students do to help the planet?  

Sophie Carlin speaks to nutritionist and climate change expert Dana Ellis Hunnes about her new book Recipes for Survival: What You Can Do to Live a Healthier and More Environmentally Friendly Life and gets the best advice for students who want to make a difference to the planet’s health.

A big thank you to CUP Bookshop  for their support of this event and recording.
  
Find out more at the Cambridge Festival 2022 https://www.festival.cam.ac.uk/events/recipe-survival-how-our-shopping-decisions-affect-planet 

You can complete the survey mentioned in this episode here: 

https://s.surveyplanet.com/67a7k51o

Music by Coby O’Brien 
Produced by Rebekah King

Recipes for Saving the Planet – with Dana Ellis Hunnes

Counter Speech and Online Harm – with Stefanie Ullmann 

What is ‘counter speech’ and is it a more powerful alternative to censorship? 

Scarlett Croft talks to Stefanie Ullmann about her research into harmful online content and strategies for combatting prejudice and hate. Scarlett also asks about how automated systems like Siri and Alexa should be programmed to respond when spoken to in an aggressive or sexist manner.  

Music by Coby O’Brien 
Produced by Rebekah King 

Find out more at the Cambridge Festival 2022: 

https://www.festival.cam.ac.uk/events/combatting-harmful-content-online-potential-counterspeech

Counter Speech and Online Harm – with Stefanie Ullmann

Body Image for Young People – with Charlotte Markey 

How can young people improve their body image in an age of social media? 

Jesimiel Akinsuyi speaks to Charlotte Markey, author of both the ‘Body Image Book for Girls’ and the ‘Body Image Book for Boys,’ about her motivations for writing both books, what body image means, and how it is affected by social media.   

Music by Coby O’Brien
Produced by Rebekah King

Find out more at the Cambridge Festival 2022: 

https://www.festival.cam.ac.uk/events/navigating-adolescence-21st-century and https://www.festival.cam.ac.uk/events/being-you-charlotte-markey

Body Image for Young People – with Charlotte Markey

There is No Planet B – with Mike Berners-Lee 

What mindset should we have about the global climate crisis?  

Sophie Carlin speaks to expert in carbon footprinting, Mike Berners-Lee, about the new updated version of his book ‘There is No Planet B’ about climate change, cooperation, and the possibility of not only saving the world, but building a far better, brighter future for all.

Mike Berners-Lee featured at the 2021 Cambridge Festival.

Check out the environment events taking place in 2022 here:

https://www.festival.cam.ac.uk/

Music by Coby O’Brien
Produced by Rebekah King

There is No Planet B – with Mike Berners-Lee

Darwin’s tiny, priceless Tree of Life sketch is arguably the most iconic drawing in the history of science. 

“The Tree of Life notebooks are Darwin at his most radical,” says Professor Jim Secord, a world expert on the subject. “The theory of natural selection and evolution is the foundation stone of modern biology and much of the rest of the sciences.”

However, the notebooks were stolen in the early 2000s and were missing for two decades before their anonymous return in a pink gift bag on March 9, 2022 – alongside a very odd note!

Despite an investigation that involved the Met Police, Interpol and a global public appeal, we still don’t know who took Darwin’s notebooks or why.

But why would someone steal them in the first place? What makes Darwin’s Tree of Life notebooks so important that someone saw fit to spirit them away from Cambridge University Library then return them again – 20 years later.

In this first podcast from one of the world’s great libraries, you’ll find out about the notebooks’ great importance, the endlessly curious life and letters of Charles Darwin, and the end of a nearly 50-year mega project to transcribe and publish 15,000 letters to and from Darwin – making them freely available to us all.

With guests Professor Jim Secord and Stuart Roberts, Head of Communications at Cambridge University Library. Hosted by communications specialist Sue Keogh FRSA. For more information about Darwin’s life and letters, please visit https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/

The Mystery of Darwin's Stolen Notebooks

800 Years of Death and Disease in Cambridge: An Institute of Public Health Presentation

Peas Hill

St Ben'et's Church

St Botolph's Church

Gate of Honour

Magdalene Bridge

St John's College

Guildhall

Biochemistry Department

Welcome to 'So, now what?'

In this episode, we explore how we can build back better after a crisis. What are the challenges and opportunities of addressing the climate crisis, including the need for climate justice, the costs of inaction, and the importance of green innovation. We consider the roles of governments, multilateral institutions, and grassroots movements play in driving change. And we conclude with a call to action, So, now what? Where we emphasise the need for coordinated international efforts and a just and equitable transition to a sustainable future.

Takeaways

Building back better after a crisis requires addressing climate justice and the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities.
The costs of climate change, both economic and social, are substantial and require urgent action.
Investment in clean energy and good jobs can drive economic growth and reduce carbon emissions.
Leveraging people power and social media can help raise awareness and drive change.
Green innovation and regulation are key to building a sustainable and equitable society.


Chapters

00:00 Introduction

04:21 Expertise and perspectives

06:50 The challenge of building back better

10:10 Understanding the costs and risks of climate change

14:25 Building back better in the United States

17:15 Building back better in Africa

19:25 The Need for collaboration and connectivity. Who needs to be in the same room?

25:45 Leveraging people power and innovation. How can we talk about green innovation and change the narrative? What does a better society look like?

31:00. So, now what? Moving Forward: Political will and financing.



Bios

Kamiar Mohaddes @KamiarMohaddes is an Associate Professor in Economics & Policy at the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge. His main areas of research include climate change, economics of the Middle East, energy economics and applied macroeconomics. He is currently a consultant at the Inter-American Development Bank and has previously served as a Departmental Special Advisor at the Bank of Canada, a consultant at the United Nations, a consultant at the Asian Development Bank and a regular visiting scholar at the International Monetary Fund to name a few. 



Todd N. Tucker @toddntucker is a political scientist and director of Industrial Policy and Trade at the Roosevelt Institute, where he helps lead research on global governance, democracy, and the administrative state. A recognised expert on trade and political economy, Dr Tucker has testified before legislatures and expert committees around the world.  He is author of Judge Knot: Politics and Development in International Investment Law  (Anthem Press, 2018). He has authored over 70 major reports, including Fixing the Senate: Equitable and Full Representation for the 21st Century and Industrial Policy and Planning: What It Is and How to Do It Better.



Queen Chinyere Quinn is a Co-Founder and Partner at Kupanda Capital, an investment platform established to create, capitalise and scale pan-African companies. In this capacity, Queen has worked to provide tailored advice and support to entrepreneurs, project developers, fund managers and corporations operating in Africa. She has worked on deals in various sectors across Africa, including those in media, consumer and energy; and leads the platform on issues related to impact investing. Queen has helped to found several new companies and ventures, including Fraym, a geospatial data company and Nithio, an AI powered energy finance platform for the off-grid solar sector in Africa.

How do we build back better after a crisis?

Best-selling author Tara Westover, researcher Aliya Khalid and Thabo Msibi Deputy Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, tackle the issue of what education should be for. They stress the idea that small actions can have a significant impact on making a difference in the world and emphasise the power of individuals to create change within their own sphere of influence. 

We explore their own perspectives and discuss their own powerful personal stories, highlighting the importance of diverse stories in education, the impact of education on women and gender and the power of education to challenge norms and beliefs. They also emphasise the role of education as a journey of self-discovery and unlearning, as well as a tool for social justice and empowerment. In addition, the episode discusses the need for curriculum reform and inclusivity, the role of technology in education and personal stories of overcoming educational challenges. 

Takeaways

Education as a lifelong journey of learning and personal growth.
Education has the power to empower individuals, promote social justice, and transform communities.
Listening to and learning from communities is crucial in developing effective educational practices.
Small acts of support and encouragement can make a significant difference in education.
Chapters

00:00 Introduction

00:31 The purpose of education

01:13 Guest introductions

05:24 Education and gender

06:24 Education as empowerment

08:21 The value of questioning and doubt in education

10:10 Education as a tool for social justice

12:56 Education in disadvantaged communities

15:17 The importance of listening and learning from communities

19:19 Personal teachable moments

20:14 Motivation for education

23:05 The transformative power of education

25:59 Unlearning and overcoming challenges in education

29:30 Curriculum reform and empowerment

31:40 Moving forward: Taking action in education

37:12 So, now what? 

Bios

Tara Westover @tarawestover is a memoirist and historian. Her first book, Educated (2018), debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, and was a finalist for a number of awards, including the National Book Critics Circle Award, the LA Times Book Prize, and the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award. The American Booksellers Association named it the Nonfiction Book of the Year, and to date, the book has been translated into 47 languages. For her staggering impact, TIME magazine named Westover one of the 100 Most Influential People of 2019, and in 2023, she was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Biden. 

Thabo Msibi is the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning and a professor of Curriculum Studies in the School of Education at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Msibi has published research in South African and international journals and books and is author of the book Hidden sexualities of South African Teachers: Black male educators and same-sex desire. He has also co-edited a book entitled Gender, Sexuality and Violence in South African Educational Spaces, with Deevia Bhana and Shakila Singh. 

Aliya Khalid @khalidaliya1 is a Lecturer in Comparative and International Education in the Department of Education at the University of Oxford, UK. She works on issues of educational equity with a focus on gender. Her areas of interest include the capability approach, negative capability, epistemic paradoxicality and justice, Southern epistemologies, politics of representation and knowledge production.

What is education for?

The episode explores the topic of extreme weather and its impact on communities and asks: What does extreme weather mean for us?

The speakers highlight the importance of connecting research to real-world impacts and the need for collective action. They discuss the devastating losses of climate disasters, the challenges of adaptation and the power of nature. They also emphasise the importance of empowering marginalised communities and amplifying their voices in climate action. 

In addition, the episode explores innovations in policy, including capacity building, local action and storytelling - getting local communities affected by climate change to tell their stories. 

We conclude by encouraging listeners to ask questions, take climate action, and connect to local initiatives.

Takeaways

Extreme weather events have devastating consequences, including the loss of traditions, cultures, and intangible heritage.
Collective action and collective intelligence are crucial in addressing climate change and its impacts.
Youth empowerment and inner well-being are essential for building resilience and creating a sustainable future.
Data, responsible AI, and storytelling play a significant role in tackling misinformation and driving climate action.
Innovations in climate policy include capacity building, community empowerment, and inclusive decision-making.
Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Climate Reality

01:19

Experiences in Extreme Environments

04:01

Impact of Extreme Weather Events

05:56

Bringing People and Voices into Climate Action

06:26

Unseen Consequences of Extreme Weather

09:49

Loss of Traditions and Indigenous Knowledge

10:12

Finding Balance and Adapting to Extreme Weather

12:36

Challenges in Super Tanker Countries

13:31

Proving the Urgency of Collective Action

14:59

Leveraging Data and Responsible AI

16:27

Innovation in Climate Policy

20:33

Recognizing the Importance of Nature

22:46

Inner Development Goals and Wisdom

25:11

Tackling Misinformation and Polarization

27:31

Innovation in Policy and Climate Action

32:46

Taking Action and Asking Questions

What does extreme weather mean for us?

The conversation delves into the urgency of addressing concerns about artificial intelligence, the impact of AI on society, and the need for ethical considerations. We explore the challenges of bias, misinformation, and the environmental impact of AI. The guests discuss the role of academia, big tech, and the public in shaping the future of AI. They also highlight the importance of transparency, regulation, and public awareness in navigating the complexities of AI.

Keywords

artificial intelligence, AI ethics, bias, misinformation, environmental impact, academia, big tech, public awareness, transparency, regulation

Takeaways

·         The urgency of addressing concerns about artificial intelligence and the need for ethical considerations

·         Challenges of bias, misinformation, and the environmental impact of AI

·         The role of academia, big tech, and the public in shaping the future of AI

·         Importance of transparency, regulation, and public awareness in navigating the complexities of AI

Chapters

00:00 The Urgency of AI Ethics

10:13 Challenges and Considerations in AI Development

30:30 Transparency, Regulation, and Public Awareness in AI

Navigating the urgency of AI ethics

In this episode of So Now What, host Catherine Galloway engages with Gates Cambridge scholars to discuss the pressing issues surrounding biodiversity and conservation. The conversation highlights the interconnectedness of ecosystems, the challenges posed by climate change, and the innovative solutions being implemented to promote sustainability. The guests share their experiences and insights on policy-making, community engagement, and the importance of maintaining optimism in the face of overwhelming environmental challenges. They emphasize the need for evidence-based strategies and practical steps that individuals can take to contribute to conservation efforts.

takeaways

·         Biodiversity loss is a critical issue that affects all life on Earth.

·         The 30 by 30 initiative aims to protect 30% of the planet for nature by 2030.

·         Innovative solutions are needed to balance economic development and conservation.

·         Community engagement is essential for effective conservation strategies.

·         Monitoring and research are crucial for understanding biodiversity and its challenges.

·         Optimism and collaboration among diverse stakeholders can drive positive change.

·         Trade-offs in conservation require careful consideration of ecological and social factors.

·         Conscious consumerism can significantly impact biodiversity preservation.

·         Small actions, like creating space for nature in our gardens, can lead to larger ecological benefits.

·         Evidence-based approaches are necessary for effective conservation policies.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Biodiversity and Conservation Challenges

03:53 Innovative Solutions for Biodiversity

10:03 The Role of Policy and Research in Conservation

18:47 Maintaining Optimism in Conservation Efforts

30:00 Making Trade-offs in Conservation

35:27 Practical Steps for Immediate Impact

What works when it comes to promoting conservation and biodiversity

Guests Catherine Barnard and Emmanuelle Auriol discuss how migration affects labour markets, legal protections and social cohesion, how economic incentives and border regimes shape who migrates and why, and what smarter, fairer migration policies could look like in the years ahead.

In this final episode of season 4, Richard Westcott is joined by Catherine Barnard (University of Cambridge) and Emmanuelle Auriol (Toulouse School of Economics) to unpack the economic, legal, and social dimensions of migration.

Drawing on insights from law and economics, the conversation explores how migration affects labour markets, legal protections, and social cohesion, from post-Brexit realities in Great Yarmouth to global questions of fairness and opportunity. The episode examines who moves and why, the limits of current border regimes, and what more effective and ethical migration policies could look like.

Season 4 Episode 10 transcript – Word / PDF
Listen to this episode on your preferred podcast platform
For more information about the Crossing Channels podcast series and the work of the Bennett School of Public Policy and IAST visit our websites at https://www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/ and https://www.iast.fr/.

Follow us on social media.

With thanks to:

Audio production by Steve Hankey
Associate production by Burcu Sevde Selvi
Visuals by Tiffany Naylor and Aurore Carbonnel
More information about our host and guests:


How does migration change our world?

Wendy Ayres-Bennett and Benjamin Pitt join Richard Westcott to explore how speaking multiple languages shapes our identity, thinking, relationships, and boosts economic opportunities.

In this episode, Richard Westcott is joined by Wendy Ayres-Bennett and Benjamin Pitt to explore a big, everyday question: what is the value of speaking other languages? The conversation looks at how the languages we speak shape our sense of identity, influence how we think and reason, and affect how we relate to others. We explore how multilingualism can foster social cohesion, support cognitive flexibility, and even boost economic opportunities.

Our guests discuss why language is never just a tool for communication and why recognising its deeper value matters for how we design education, shape public policy, and navigate life in an increasingly interconnected world.

This episode is hosted by Richard Westcott (Cambridge University Health Partners and the Cambridge Biomedical Campus), and features experts Benjamin Pitt (IAST) and Wendy Ayres-Bennett (Cambridge University). 

Season 4 Episode 9 transcript Word / PDF
Listen to this episode on your preferred podcast platform
For more information about the Crossing Channels podcast series and the work of the Bennett Institute and IAST visit our websites at bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk and iast.fr/

Follow us on Linkedin, Bluesky and X

With thanks to:

Audio production by Steve Hankey
Associate production by Burcu Sevde Selvi
Visuals by Tiffany Naylor and Aurore Carbonnel

What is the value of speaking other languages?

In this commission for Cambridge Timeline Choir, composer Charlotte Baskerville invokes the power of saints to drive out vermin (from a manuscript at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, MS 457/395, f. 1v, ). Performed by Cambridge Timeline Choir and recorded for Cambridge University Library, July 2025

A Charm Against Rats

In this commission for Cambridge Timeline Choir, composer Hannah Conway and librettist Hazel Gould reinterpret an Anglo-Norman treatise on menstruation, Sicom Aristotele nous dit, found in a manuscript at Trinity College, Cambridge, MS O.2.5, ff. 123r–124v. Performed by Cambridge Timeline Choir and recorded for Cambridge University Library, July 2025

Flowers

This episode of 'So Now What' explores the multifaceted challenges of gender equality, focusing on personal stories, the impact of climate change, and the implications of technology on women's rights. The conversation highlights the ongoing struggles for reproductive freedom, the importance of storytelling, and the need for proactive engagement from men in the fight for gender equality. The guests share their insights on the current backlash against women's rights and the necessity of protecting spaces for dialogue and dissent.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Gender Equality Challenges

04:08 Personal Stories and Experiences

08:07 The Impact of Roe v. Wade Overturn

12:18 Climate Change and Early Marriage

16:43 Backlash Against Gender Equality

19:59 Engaging Men in Gender Equality

24:13 The Role of Technology in Gender Issues

28:55 Understanding the Danger for Women and Girls

34:06 Confronting and Comforting in Conversations

37:18 Final Thoughts and Calls to Action

Is gender equality going backwards?

How do we address the challenges of an ageing world?

In this first episode of series five of Crossing Channels, podcast host Richard Westcott welcomes three affiliated experts - Jonathan Grant, François Bonnefon and François Poinas - to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming higher education.
Welcome to the fifth series of our Crossing Channels podcast, co-produced by the Bennett School of Public Policy (UK), and the Institute for Advanced Studies in Toulouse and Toulouse School of Economics (France).

In this first episode, our host Richard Westcott welcomes three affiliated experts to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming higher education.

Jonathan Grant (Affiliated Researcher at the Bennett School of Public Policy), Jean-François Bonnefon (Toulouse School of Economics (TSE) & the Institute for Advanced Study in Toulouse (IAST)) and François Poinas (TSE & IAST) share different perspectives rooted in public policy, psychology, and economics.

They examine how AI is reshaping the way universities teach, conduct research, and connect with government, business, and civil society. They look into how generative tools are changing learning and assessment, how students and academics can build trust in AI systems, and what the rise of these technologies means for the skills and values that universities aim to foster.

Listen to this episode on your preferred podcast platform

Season 5 Episode 1 transcript: Word / PDF

To find out more about the work of the Bennett School of Public Policy and IAST visit our websites: https://www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/ and https://www.iast.fr/

Follow us on Linkedin and Bluesky

With thanks to:

Audio production by Alice Whaley
Associate production by Burcu Sevde Selvi, Bennett School of Public Policy
Visuals by Tiffany Naylor and Pauline Alves, IAST, TSE

Are universities ready for the age of AI?

Richard Westcott chats with Jack Newman, Angélique Acquatella and Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg about what really drives inequality — from technology and trade to health and local policy — and how institutions can bridge the gap between national goals and everyday realities.

In this podcast episode of Crossing Channels, Richard Westcott talks to Jack Newman, Angélique Acquatella and Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg about the forces that shape inequality today. 

Drawing on economics, politics and public policy, our guests examine why gaps persist, look at the roles of technology and trade, explore evidence on health inequalities in the UK, and discuss the delivery gap between national ambitions and local capacity. They share examples of when place-based approaches can work, what gets in the way, and how institutions can support more inclusive growth.

Season 5 Episode 2 transcript: MS Word / PDF

Listen to this episode on your preferred podcast platform: 

For more information about the Crossing Channels podcast series and the work of the Bennett School of Public Policy and IAST visit our websites at https://www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/ and https://www.iast.fr/.

With thanks to:

Audio production by Alice Whaley
Associate production by Burcu Sevde Selvi
Visuals by Tiffany Naylor and Pauline Alves


What really drives inequality?

Richard Westcott talks to Diane Coyle and César Hidalgo about how knowledge, ideas and intangible assets are becoming central to modern prosperity.
In this episode of Crossing Channels, Richard Westcott talks to Diane Coyle and César Hidalgo about how knowledge, ideas and intangible assets are becoming central to modern prosperity. They discuss what makes intellectual capital distinctive, how AI may widen or narrow inequalities, and why some places benefit more than others. The conversation also explores the challenges of measuring intangible value and what kinds of skills, institutions and infrastructure are needed for countries and regions to turn intellectual capital into broader, long-term growth.

Season 5 Episode 3 transcript: PDF / MS Word

Listen to this episode on your preferred podcast platform

For more information about the Crossing Channels podcast series and the work of the Bennett School of Public Policy and IAST visit our websites at https://www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/ and https://www.iast.fr/.

Follow us on Linkedin and Bluesky.

With thanks to:

Audio production by Alice Whaley
Associate production by Burcu Sevde Selvi
Visuals by Tiffany Naylor and Pauline Alves

Is intellectual capital the key to future prosperity?

In episode one of season three of So, now what? two Gates Cambridge Scholars debate how to lead ethically in unethical times.
Reham and Amy explore with host Catherine Galloway the challenges and opportunities presented by AI and social media, emphasising the importance of community empowerment, ethical practices and the role of creatives in shaping a better future. The conversation, the first in a series of five episodes focused on leadership, highlights the need for transparency, human dignity and the potential for technology to serve the underrepresented, while also addressing the complexities of moderation and resistance in digital spaces.
Amy Zhang [2011] and Reham Hosny [also known as Reham Aboud - 2025] debate ethical leadership in the context of rapidly evolving technology and argue that we must prioritise human dignity and rights in technology development, including exploring alternative social media platforms.
Takeaways
Ethical leadership is crucial in today's global disorder.
AI can empower underrepresented communities.
Community engagement is essential for ethical moderation.
Social media platforms are evolving with new opportunities.
Creatives play a vital role in envisioning a better future.
We must prioritize human dignity and transparency in technology.
Resistance can take many forms, including creative expression.
We have agency in our use of social media platforms.
Supporting ethical leaders is necessary for positive change.
The future of technology depends on inclusive and ethical practices.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Ethical Leadership
05:53 Defining Ethical Leadership in Technology
12:07 AI as a Tool for Empowerment
18:10 Social Media: Opportunities and Challenges
24:01 Moderation and Community Engagement
30:11 The Role of Creatives in Ethical Leadership
34:00 Conclusion and Call to Action

How do you lead ethically in unethical times?

In this episode of Crossing Channels, Richard Westcott talks to Dr Alessio Terzi from the Bennett School of Public Policy, and Prof Christian Gollier from the Toulouse School of Economics, about what a “fair” climate transition could look like when the costs are local, the benefits are global, and the politics are hard.
They explore why decarbonisation is a whole-economy transformation, what it means for jobs and places, and why the narrative matters as much as the technology. 
The conversation also looks at carbon pricing and redistribution, the credibility problem of long-term policy, and what kinds of institutions and policies can keep people on board in the years ahead.
Transcript: MS Word / PDF
Listen to this episode on your preferred podcast platform
With thanks to:
Audio production by Alice Whaley
Associate production by Burcu Sevde Selvi
Visuals by Tiffany Naylor and Pauline Alves


Can we make climate policy fair and effective?

In this episode of So Now What, host Catherine Galloway engages with Gates Cambridge scholars Halliki Voolma and Seetha Tan to explore the complexities of leadership in a rapidly changing world. They discuss the importance of gender equality policies, the role of storytelling in leadership, and the necessity of balancing short-term responses with long-term goals. The conversation emphasises the power of words, the significance of cultural change, and the value of collective leadership and community action. Both guests share personal insights into their leadership journeys, highlighting the importance of openness, listening, and staying true to one's values amidst chaos.
Takeaways
The only constant in life is change.
Effective leadership requires a long-term vision amidst chaos.
Policymaking and storytelling share similar skills.
Contradiction is a key aspect of leadership.
Words and language have significant power in policy.
Crisis management often overshadows long-term goals.
Cultural change is essential for policy progress.
Collective leadership fosters community resilience.
Personal stories shape leadership identity.
Staying true to values is crucial in turbulent times.
Chapters
00:00 Navigating Change in a Chaotic World
02:48 Gender Equality and Policy Initiatives
06:07 Contradictions in Leadership
09:04 The Role of Storytelling in Leadership
11:51 Balancing Short-term and Long-term Goals
15:02 The Power of Words and Language
18:08 Crisis Management and Gender-Based Violence
20:59 Cultural Change and Policy Progress
23:50 Collective Leadership and Community Action
27:02 Personal Stories and Leadership Identity
29:52 Openness and Listening in Leadership
32:57 The Importance of Values in Leadership
36:02 Final Thoughts on Leadership and Action

How do you lead for the longer term in a world of rapid change?

Richard Grisenthwaite, Lead Architect and Fellow at ARM, talks about how the ARM architecture and the computing ecosystem it enables has changed in the 25 year history of ARM Ltd. Aimed at a technical audience, this talk looks at how the architecture has been influenced, sometimes in unexpected ways, by the changing environment and fashions, of the computing industry. It draws out some general lessons of the process of balancing the developments in hardware and software learnt from the progression of ARM to be one of the most popular architectures in the world. 

A history of the ARM architecture, and the lessons learned while building it

Students from the Politics and International Studies Department in Cambridge talk to Helen Thompson about what they’ve learned from three years of studying Politics and what they would tell their seventeen year old selves about the experience.

What studying Politics at Cambridge is like

Mouse whistles, dropped in pitch

Nehru's Tryst with Destiny speech, August 14/15 1947

Tryst With Destiny

One series at a time, we break down complex issues into simple questions. 
Subscribe to the podcast here: https://mind-over-chatter.captivate.fm/listen

In this first series, we’ll explore climate change. Climate change is likely to affect almost every area of our lives… like a toddler with sticky fingers. But how did it become this way? What are we doing about it now? And what does the future hold?

We’ll ask smart people some simple questions and see what happens!

New episodes every Thursday.

From the University of Cambridge and Cambridge Zero

Welcome to Mind Over Chatter, the Cambridge University Podcast!

Climate change is likely to affect almost every area of our lives… but how did we get to this point? When and why did we first take notice of climate change? And why has climate change evaded our collective attention and action for so long?

We talked with professor of human geography, Mike Hulme,, science historian and journalist Dr Sarah Dry and environmental economist Dr Matthew Agarwala to try to figure all of this out. Along the way, we discovered new ways of thinking about climate change, from a tragic story where the issue is constantly caught between opposing forces, to more hopefully thinking of it as a source of generative change and innovation. 

This episode was produced by Nick Saffell, James Dolan and Naomi Clements-Brod. 

From the University of Cambridge and Cambridge Zero

Navigating the values of climate change

Last episode, we talked about how we got to where we are now with climate change, but do we even know what’s going on with climate change right now? In this episode we’ll talk about what tipping points we’re approaching, how and why we’re still struggling to gain momentum toward action on climate change, and what difference it would make if carbon dioxide was a brown smelly substance.

To figure all of this out, we talked to a mathematician, Emily Shuckburgh, an engineer Hugh Hunt and a psychologist, Sander van der Linden. 

Along the way, we discuss solutions like geoengineering, creating a fake news ‘vaccine’ and opportunities for businesses to be more transparent about how their activities contribute to climate change. If you’re curious to find out more specific ideas about how we can build a greener future, check out Cambridge Zero’s Green Recovery Report here: https://www.zero.cam.ac.uk/green-recovery-report 

This episode was produced by Nick Saffell, James Dolan, and Naomi Clements-Brod.

What are we (as a global community) doing right now?

The future is becoming harder to predict thanks to climate change and a global pandemic. But a large part of what the future will look like is in our own hands. The biggest challenge to creating a better future may be political rather than scientific or technological. 

Subscribe to the podcast here: mind-over-chatter.captivate.fm/listen

In this episode, Diane Coyle, professor of public policy, Laura Diaz Anadon, professor of climate change policy, and architectural engineer, Ruchi Choudhary, join us to talk about how we can build a future that might not be anything like the past.

We cover topics like innovation, GDP, and how the uncertainty created by climate change can help propel policy and economic decisions. Plus, we look at some of the benefits that come with building a greener future together. 

Please take our survey. https://bit.ly/38uXJaG
How did you find us? Do you want more Mind Over Chatter in your life? Less? We want to know. So we put together this survey. If you could please take a few minutes to fill it out, it would be a big help.

This episode was produced by Nick Saffell, James Dolan, and Naomi Clements-Brod.

Creating a future that is not like the past

How and what we eat, and where our food comes from, these everyday choices that we often think very little about, have become increasingly relevant to climate change. 

Subscribe to the podcast here: https://mind-over-chatter.captivate.fm/listen 

With a global population projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, it is not unreasonable to ask: how are we going to feed all these people... and without causing more damage? 

In this episode we’ll cover everything from how climate change will affect the way we grow and eat food, to the pros and cons of ‘non-poo’ fertiliser. Sound appetising?

Giles Oldroyd, professor of plant science at the new Cambridge Crop Science Centre, Helen Anne Curry, lecturer in the history of modern science and technology, and developmental economist, Shailaja Fennell, helped us connect the dots between food and climate change. They discuss how we ensure people around the world will still have food to eat as the climate becomes more unpredictable.

This episode was produced by Nick Saffell, James Dolan, and Naomi Clements-Brod. 

Please take our survey. https://bit.ly/38uXJaG
How did you find us? Do you want more Mind Over Chatter in your life? Less? We want to know. So we put together this survey. If you could please take a few minutes to fill it out, it would be a big help.

Guest Bios: 

Dr Helen Anne Curry (@hacurry)

My current research focuses on the history of efforts to understand and use crop diversity as a resource for agricultural development. In August 2020 I launched the project 'From Collection to Cultivation: Historical Perspectives on Crop Diversity and Food Security'. This project has its origins in my investigation of history of genetic conservation, especially the preservation of seeds and other plant materials in seed and gene banks. It is also the subject of my current book project, Endangered Maize: Indigenous Corn, Industrial Agriculture and the Crisis of Extinction. 

Dr Shailaja Fennell (@shailajafennell) 

Shailaja Fennell is a Co-Investigator on TIGR2ESS, a research programme to study how to improve crop productivity and water use, identify appropriate crops and farming practices for sustainable rural development. She is also a Co-Investigator on MillNeti, a sister research programme (2019-2021) that is focussed on how to improve iron nutrition status of people living in Ethiopia and The Gambia by assessing the bioavailability of iron from biofortified millet. Her work package focuses on the use of quantitative and qualitative surveys to understand how millets are currently grown, processed, cooked and consumed in focus villages in The Gambia and Ethiopia. 

Professor Giles Oldroyd (@gilesdoldroyd) 

Professor Giles Oldroyd studies the mechanisms by which plants form beneficial interactions with micro-organisms, both bacteria and fungi, that aid in the uptake of nutrients from the environment, including nitrogen. A long-term aim of this research is to reduce agricultural reliance on inorganic fertilisers and he currently heads an international programme funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to engineer nitrogen-fixing cereals.

University of Cambridge

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