The Future of Foreign Aid: Retreat or Reinvention?
UofG Spotlight
In this episode of Spotlight, we turn from devolved politics to global challenges, asking the important question: do we still value development aid? Host Nicola McEwen is joined by leading researchers from the University of Glasgow and Queen Margaret University to unpack the changing landscape of international development. Together, they explore the long-term decline in UK and global aid commitments, the real-world consequences for communities in some of the world’s most vulnerable settings and the new approaches to development finance emerging. This work is being supported by the...
info_outline
Power, Policy and the Next Five Years - After the Elections Ep.8
UofG Spotlight
In the final episode of our election podcast series, now ‘After the Elections’, we look at the results of the Scottish election, what it means for the future of public policy, and how soon we might see the impact of challenging public finances. We’re joined by two guests, Graeme Roy, Professor of Economics at the University of Glasgow and Chair of the Scottish Fiscal Commission, and Kate Higgins, former Special Adviser to the Scottish Government. How hard is it to deliver change in government? What is the fiscal context facing the new administration? What is...
info_outline
In England and Wales - On the Elections Ep.7
UofG Spotlight
In this episode of our On the Elections podcast series, we’re looking to England and Wales, where elections are also being held tomorrow, 7th May. In England, almost 5,000 councillors will be elected across 134 of England’s 317 councils. And the Welsh Parliament – or Senedd – is also holding its election, with a new voting system and a 50% increase in the number of Senedd members being elected. We’re joined by Professor Jane Green, Director of the Nuffield Politics Research Centre and Co-Director of the British Election Study, and Professor Laura McAllister from Cardiff...
info_outline
Can the Next Scottish Government Fix Public Services? On the Elections Ep.6
UofG Spotlight
This week on the UofG Spotlight On the Elections podcast, we’re talking about whether the next Scottish government can fix public services. What are the parties proposing to fix the problems in public services and help to sustain them into the future? What should they be doing? To talk about this, hosts Nicola McEwen and Kezia Dugdale are joined by Frances Mair, the Norrie Miller Professor of General Practice and Head of the School of Health and Wellbeing at the University of Glasgow, and Sarah Davidson, Chief Executive at Carnegie UK, and Honorary Professor here at...
info_outline
Can the next Scottish Government Revive the Economy? On the Elections Ep.5
UofG Spotlight
In today’s episode, we’re talking about the economy, and particularly whether the next Scottish Government can revive the economy in Scotland. Host Professor Graeme Roy is joined by three experts. Sara Carter, Professor of Entrepreneurship, Vice Principal and Head of the College of Social Sciences at the University of Glasgow, Dr David Waite, senior lecturer in Urban Studies at the University of Glasgow, and Stephen Boyd, Director of the IPPR (Institute for Public Policy Research Scotland). They look at what the current future looks like for Scotland’s economy; the...
info_outline
The Manifestos - On the Elections Ep.4
UofG Spotlight
In this episode of the UofG Spotlight On the Elections podcast, we’re looking at what’s in the manifestos of the Scottish parties. Hosts Nicola McEwen and Kezia Dugdale talk to Professor Alistair Clark, a political scientist from the University of Newcastle and Chris Birt, Associate Director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Together they discuss whether manifestos really matter, what’s in them, what’s not and how what they choose to emphasise gives us a greater insight into their priorities and outlook. Tune in and subscribe. ...
info_outline
The Rise of the Right - On the Elections Ep.3
UofG Spotlight
This week we’re looking at the rise of the right in Scotland. We're seeing Reform UK emerge in Scotland as a serious contender, and given the electoral system one that is likely to see a sizeable number of MSPs in the Scottish Parliament. In this episode, we explore: What’s driving the rise of parties like Reform UK What can we learn from similar parties elsewhere? And what are the implications for public policy more generally? First up we talk to Sunder Katwala, Director of British Future, an independent, non-partisan thinktank and registered charity, engaging people’s hopes and...
info_outline
An Election in the Shadow of War? On the Elections Ep.2
UofG Spotlight
In today’s episode of our UofG Spotlight: On the Elections series, we're looking at the election through the lens of global politics and growing global insecurity, specifically the US and Israel's war with Iran. We’re joined by John Edward, Head of Operations at the Scottish Council on Global Affairs and Geoff Aberdein, Managing Partner at True North, co-host of the podcast Holyrood Sources, and a former Special Adviser to the SNP Scottish Government. We examine what the impact of the events in the Middle East are closer to home, on devolution and for Scotland’s wider place in the...
info_outline
On the Elections Ep.1: The Polls and the Policies So Far
UofG Spotlight
Kicking off our ‘On the Elections’ series of the UofG Spotlight podcast, hosts Nicola McEwen and Kez Dugdale talk to guests Chris Carman and Mark McGeoghegan. A ‘state of the race’ episode, they talk about the key issues for the campaign ahead. How much do the campaigns really matter? What are the polls saying, and how are key issues ranking with voters? What about Reform UK and just how volatile is the electorate? Tune in for a fantastic primer on the upcoming election in Scotland. Follow the election day by day with the Centre for Public Policy on our website here: ...
info_outline
Are We Tackling Poverty in Scotland?
UofG Spotlight
In this episode of Spotlight, Kezia Dugdale speaks with Jim McCormick, Chief Executive of The Robertson Trust, about the Scottish Government’s new Child Poverty Framework and what truly drives progress on lifting families out of poverty, from boosting incomes to delivering strong local services. Kezia is joined first by Dr Thomas Rochow to preview insights from the Centre’s State of Poverty project and why income support alone isn’t enough without accessible services and joined‑up systems.
info_outlineWhat do young people want from our politics?
This week, Nicola McEwen is joined by Eddie Barnes and Elisabeth Loose from the John Smith Centre at the University of Glasgow to discuss their newly published UK Youth Poll 2025.
The UK Youth Poll 2025 explores the attitudes and priorities of young people aged 16-29 across the UK. The findings reveal strong support for democracy but concern for its future, with financial worries and material needs driving much of their anxiety. Young people are calling for a more honest, solutions-focused politics, while issues like toxic masculinity, racism, and the role of social media are also key concerns. Read the full findings at www.ukyouthpoll.com.