In this episode, we sit down with Rouzbeh Parsi, author and affiliated Researcher at Lund University, for an in-depth conversation on Iran, one of the most complex and often misunderstood countries in today’s geopolitical landscape.

We begin by exploring the foundations of the Islamic Republic of Iran: what defines it, how Iranian society functions in practice, and the intricate relationship between state power and everyday life. From there, we turn to the current conflict, unpacking what is happening on the ground and what the future might hold.

Rouzbeh also discusses his new book, Mellan Gud och stat (Between God and State: Iran after a Long 20th Century), offering deeper historical context for understanding Iran today.

While much has evolved since this conversation was recorded, Rouzbeh’s analysis remains sharp and highly relevant. His insights combined with a clear and engaging style, make this episode just as valuable now as when it was first recorded.

Host: Ismail Ali, Lisa Barut

Guest: Rouzbeh Parsi

Producer: Ismail Ali, Hwikyung Lee

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to News From the Castle! This podcast series is dedicated to interviewing experts inside and outside Lund University, who share their expertise on topics related to foreign affairs.

In this episode of News From the Castle, we spoke to Lars Peter Fredén, ambassador of Sweden to China between 2010 and 2016, about the importance of the humanities to navigating diplomatic, industry, and research partnerships with Chinese actors. As the first in his role to speak Mandarin prior to his appointment, he emphasizes the need for expanding education of the Chinese language, philosophy, and related fields in the European Union, and gives advice to students interested in China about how to prepare for a role in diplomacy.

Host: Sabina Rameke

Guest: Lars Peter Fredén

Producers: Hwikyung Lee, Ismail Ali

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to News From the Castle! This podcast series is dedicated to interviewing experts inside and outside Lund University, who share their expertise on topics related to foreign affairs.

In this episode, Hanna Sahlberg, senior China reporter at Swedish Radio and former Beijing correspondent, joins us to discuss China’s evolving role in global science and innovation, the opportunities and risks of cooperation with China, and how European perspectives on China have shifted over the past decade. The conversation also explores questions surrounding state influence, academic freedom, global trade, and the future of international collaboration in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.

Host: Dipline Purbuar

Guest: Hanna Sahlberg

Producers: Hwikyung Lee, Ismail Ali

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to News From the Castle! This podcast series is dedicated to interviewing experts inside and outside Lund University, who share their expertise on topics related to foreign affairs.

[This is a special feature featuring interviews from abroad]

In this episode, John Langton, an independent documentary filmmaker and a fundraiser for a school, talks about the importance of valuing human lives and stories around the world. He shares stories about career changes, a bike trip, documentary filmmaking, and fundraising for a school in Kibera.

Host: Hwikyung Lee

Guest: John Langton

Producers: Hwikyung Lee, Ismail Ali

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to News From the Castle! This podcast series is dedicated to interviewing experts inside and outside Lund University, who share their expertise on topics related to foreign affairs.

In this episode, Dr. Marju Himma, an associate professor of Journalism Studies at the University of Tartu, sits down with us to talk about the political consequences of an evolving media landscape, navigating the use of AI in content-making as a producer and a consumer, and the benefits of reading to become a better podcaster.

This interview was recorded during UPF Lund's visit with RSR at the University of Tartu in Estonia, within the Erasmus+ Small-scale Partnership in Youth Programme and under the banner of Nordic/Baltic Youth Knowledge Exchange.

Host: Paula Grandas Perales, Sabina Rameke

Guest: Marju Himma

Producers: Hwikyung Lee, Ismail Ali

Editor: Sabina Rameke

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to News From the Castle! This podcast series is dedicated to interviewing experts inside and outside Lund University, who share their expertise on topics related to foreign affairs.

This episode features Dr. Yi Hyun Kang, a postdoctoral researcher at Lund University and a member of the Strategic Research Area BECC. She discusses the characteristics of young activists in environmental politics and the dynamics within youth activist organisations. Dr. Kang also shares insights into how their voices influence climate change discourse, as well as the growing role of digital spaces in environmental politics.

Any opinions expressed in this episode are the speakers’ own and do not represent UPF Lund, which remains politically neutral and unaffiliated.

Hosts: Hwikyung Lee

Guest: Yihyun Kang

Producers & Editors: Hwikyung Lee, Ismail Ali

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to News From the Castle! This podcast series is dedicated to interviewing experts inside and outside Lund University, who share their expertise on topics related to foreign affairs.

This episode features Dr. Jinyan Zeng, a documentary filmmaker and Senior Lecturer at the Centre for East and South East Asian Studies at Lund University. She shares her experiences of making activist documentaries and producing films under China’s censorship and political repression. Dr. Zeng discusses how the political regime shapes activism in China and how it can dehumanise activists, and she reflects on documentary filmmaking as a space where people can retain their voices and humour.

Any opinions expressed in this episode are the speakers’ own and do not represent UPF Lund, which remains politically neutral and unaffiliated.

Hosts: Paula Grandas Perales, Hwikyung Lee

Guest: Jinyan Zeng

Producer: Hwikyung Lee

Editor: Finn Spices

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to News From the Castle! This podcast series is dedicated to interviewing experts inside and outside Lund University, who share their expertise on topics related to foreign affairs.

This episode features Professor Mark Elliott, the Vice Provost of International Affairs at Harvard University and the Mark Schwartz Professor of Chinese and Inner Asian History. He spoke about the politics of history in China today as part of the Perspective Asia Lecture Series in Lund. Professor Elliott discusses China’s history, particularly the Qing period (1636–1911), the last dynasty to rule China. Drawing on the New Qing perspective with Manchu studies, he explains the differences between Sinicisation and the New Qing approach and shares the insights on the historical implications for contemporary Chinese politics and foreign policy.

Any opinions expressed in this episode are the speakers’ own and do not represent UPF Lund, which remains politically neutral and unaffiliated.

Hosts: Hwikyung Lee

Guest: Mark Elliott

Producer & Editor: Hwikyung Lee

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to News From the Castle! This podcast series is dedicated to interviewing experts inside and outside Lund University, who share their expertise on topics related to foreign affairs.

This episode features Dr. Minyoung Kim, a lecturer at Yonsei University, who spoke at the Perspective Asia Lecture Series at the Centre for East and South East Asian Studies. Dr. Kim shares her perspective on political protest in South Korea, focusing on the demonstrations against martial law declared by then-President Yoon in December 2024. She explains how collective protest, combining mourning and aspirations for a more just society and a sense of festivity, fostered inclusiveness and opened up the democratic public square.

Any opinions expressed in this episode are the speakers’ own and do not represent UPF Lund, which remains politically neutral and unaffiliated.

Hosts: Hwikyung Lee

Guest: Minyoung Kim

Producer & Editor: Hwikyung Lee

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to News From the Castle! This podcast series is dedicated to interviewing experts inside and outside Lund University, who share their expertise on topics related to foreign affairs.

This episode features Dr. Joakim Zander, a Swedish author and lawyer, who was a guest speaker at the "EU Days" event in Lund. Dr. Zander shares his perspective on EU politics and discusses the importance of youth participation in shaping Europe's future. He also reflects on his experience working at the European Parliament in Brussels and offers advice for students interested in political careers.

An article on EU Days, written by UPF members Sabina Rameke and Dipline Purbuar, is available here: https://www.theperspective.se/2025/10/23/article/what-went-down-at-eu-days-2025/

Any opinions expressed in this episode are the speakers’ own and do not represent UPF Lund, which remains politically neutral and unaffiliated.

Producers: Erika Clesi, Hwikyung Lee

Editors: Hwikyung Lee, Sabina Rameke

Hosts: Erika Clesi, Dipline Purbuar

Guest: Joakim Zander

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.