Oxford Policy Pod

This episode takes a step back from policy topics to dive into a pervasive phenomenon in public service work: constant busyness and burnout. Ronan Harrington, an international speaker, expert on burnout and resilience, and MPP alumnus, joins MPP student Nate for a conversation on why burnout is so pervasive in public service careers and what we can do about it.

The conversation explores:

• Why is overwhelmed and burnout a particular problem in public service?

• What are the root psychological factors that lead to constant busyness and burnout?

• Is overwhelm and exhaustion just necessary in high impact careers?

• Can technology and AI save us?

• What are practical strategies to manage overwhelm when we can’t control the demands placed on us?

Siviwe Gwarube is South Africa’s Minister of Basic Education and one of the country’s youngest-ever Cabinet members. A fierce advocate for gender equity, evidence-based policymaking, and the foundational right to education, she brings a new voice and vision to the continent’s education leadership. 

In this episode, hosted by MPP students María Turner and Bautista Fazio, Minister Gwarube reflects on her first year in office—what surprised her, what challenged her, and what guides her approach. She speaks candidly about the mental toll of public leadership, the power of authenticity, and why prioritising foundational learning is not just a pedagogical choice, but a political one. 

She lays out five pillars of her strategy: early childhood development, literacy, teacher training, infrastructure, and inclusion. From advocating for mother-tongue education to navigating South Africa’s political transition, this episode offers a powerful reflection on what it means to lead with purpose—and why the future of education starts with bold decisions today. 

Carlos Scartascini is a global leader in behavioral economics and its real-world application to public policy. As Deputy Chief Economist and head of the Behavioral Economics Group at the Inter-American Development Bank, he’s led research and projects that use behavioral science to tackle everyday policy challenges—like boosting tax compliance, improving public health, and building trust in government.

Jaime Saavedra is one of the world’s most influential education reformers. Former Minister of Education in Peru and now Director of Human Development for Latin America and the Caribbean at the World Bank, he has led and advised some of the region’s most ambitious efforts to improve learning outcomes at scale. 

In this episode, hosted by Helen Orjuela Tacha and Bautista Fazio, Jaime unpacks what it really takes to deliver effective education reform—not just design it. Drawing on decades of experience, Saavedra outlines four essential conditions for change: sound technical design, sustainable financing, strong implementation capacity, and political will. He explains why many systems fail despite good intentions, and why reforms succeed when countries invest in teachers, strengthen bureaucracies, and centre policy around student learning. 

From the turnaround in Peru after disastrous PISA results, to lessons from Sobral and the province of Mendoza, this conversation offers a masterclass in how to transform systems—not just schools. 

"Something’s Brewing" is a laid-back podcast hosted by MPP student Wynsey, where conversations flow freely—just like the drinks. In each episode, a member of the Blavatnik School community joins over a favorite beverage from home to share personal stories, career reflections, and the life that happens beyond policy.

In this episode, Wynsey sits down with Nami and Kenneth, two MPP students from Mongolia and Indonesia, who are carving bold new paths in the energy and sustainability sectors. From childhood memories to formative moments, they reflect on how their roots continue to shape their ambitions, values, and sense of mission.

Tune in for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation on identity, impact, and the power of purpose.

Juan Gabriel Vásquez has a central preoccupation: the past —a theme that has shaped much of his fiction. His latest novel, Los nombres de Feliza, published in January, explores the life of Colombian sculptor Feliza Bursztyn, who was politically persecuted and forced into exile during the Cold War. In this episode of Oxford Policy Pod, the acclaimed Colombian author —winner of the 2011 Alfaguara Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in Spanish-language literature— reflects on the roots of this enduring fascination, which has led him to write nine novels and several short story collections. He also discusses the place of culture in political life, the rise of authoritarianism around the world, Colombia’s current political climate, and more.

Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo is one of Spain’s most prominent political voices. A historian and journalist, she is a Member of the Spanish Parliament and a staunch advocate for democracy, freedom, and constitutionalism. Educated at Oxford, where she studied under Sir John H. Elliott, she transitioned from academia to journalism at El Mundo before stepping into politics. 

In this episode, hosted my MPP students Valeria Cárdenas Arias, Astrid Liden and Bautista Fazio, Cayetana dissects the crisis of democracy in the West, the rise of nationalism, the evolving role of women in politics, and the growing tensions between free speech and identity politics. From Europe to Latin America, she offers a sharp and unfiltered perspective on the political forces shaping today’s world. 

🎙️🌎 Sacrifice Zones: The Price of Progress?

In this episode of the Oxford Policy Podcast, we sit down with legal scholar Iza Linazasoro to uncover the harsh realities of sacrifice zones—communities forced to bear the cost of industrial development at the expense of their health and environment.

Featuring the Quintero Bay case in Chile, Linazasoro highlights the environmental, social, and health impacts of industrial pollution. She also discusses the roles of various stakeholders, the power imbalances, and the inadequate institutional responses. The conversation includes insights into international frameworks and policies necessary to address these injustices and emphasises the importance of community involvement and advocacy in policy-making.

Tune in and join the conversation 🎧

Martin Baron led two of the world's most important newsrooms, those of The Boston Globe and The Washington Post. He was at the former when the newspaper exposed the network of cover-ups of pedophile Catholic priests in the Archdiocese of Boston. At the latter, he was present during the Edward Snowden leaks about the National Security Agency (NSA)'s spying activities and during Trump’s first presidency, marked by the Republican’s confrontational stance toward the media. Now, enjoying the retirement he has embraced for a few years, he analyzes the global landscape, the threats to freedom of expression, and the role of the media in the digital age.

Releasing Possible Utopia – the podcast where we explore the intersection of politics, gender, and leadership to imagine a better world. From navigating challenges of safety and well-being in public life to uncovering the motivations that drive them, we’ll delve into the stories behind the individuals shaping our societies. Together, we’ll tackle the tough questions, confront systemic issues, and reimagine what a more inclusive and just political landscape could look like

This isn’t just a conversation about politics; it’s a journey toward possibility – a utopia we can begin building today. Let’s explore it together."

Meet our host of Possible Utopia, Kanksshi Agarwal, Founder of NETRI Foundation, India’s first incubator for women in political ecosystem, LiveMint 100 women shaping India, TEDx speaker and Cyril Shroff Scholar at Oxford University.

Our first guest is, Viktorya Aydinyan, A public policy expert from Armenia with over eight years' experience of strategic planning, policy development, and public sector reform, Viktorya has co-authored nine national strategies and led over 25 initiatives in public management and human capital development. She advised the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia on strategy, development aid, and public administration reform. Viktorya has also held roles such as, Advisor to the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, and Team Lead for Public Administration Reforms within the Ministry of Justice.

In this episode, Kanksshi and Viktorya delve into experiences of a young armenian woman in politics, her role in revolution, her perspectives on public administration, but more so her journey as an ambitious woman in politics, who traverses the delicate world of politics to bring about transformational changes in the society.