Hardly a day goes by without headlines reminding us of the huge challenges facing the UK’s prison service. The system depends on having the right staffing and the right resources in place. But it also depends on prisoners being able to develop – and sustain – positive relationships.

In this series for the RSA, Rachel O’Brien explores some of the connections that have helped people rebuild their lives. Paul was released from prison a couple of years ago and is now working. Rachel O’Brien talked to him and his two daughters about their relationship, and the impact that Paul’s time inside has had on them.

“In my life there have been very few people there for me when I’ve needed them, and I’m very bad at asking for support. My daughters showed me that when I needed them, they were there.” – Paul

The accelerating pace of political and economic change can be disorienting – but, for some, change isn’t happening fast enough.

Matthew Taylor is joined by the journalist Andy Beckett and the philosophers Benjamin Noys and Nina Power to find out about ‘Accelerationism’ a philosophy with both Left and Right variants - bubbling into the mainstream - that embraces speed and disruption as the only route to progress.

Produced by Ben Irvine and Samuel Shelton Robinson

Reading

When economies stop growing they go into crisis, but it seems impossible for them to grow forever without causing ecological catastrophe. Matthew Taylor talks to Tim Jackson about the big dilemma in sustainability and the updated and expanded second edition of ‘Prosperity without Growth’ (2017). Can we safely stabilize the size of the economy? What’s behind our insatiable demand for new things? What revolutions are required in the nature of enterprise, policy and values to create prosperity without growth? And have they gotten any closer in the years since the books first publication in 2009?

Matthew Taylor talks to Kate Pickett co-author of ‘The Spirit Level’ (2009) which argued inequality is bad for everyone (even the rich) citing evidence that the overall of burden health and social problems was worse in more unequal countries. Can simply knowing that people have a lot more or less than you do be bad for your health? Both sides of the political spectrum now seem to agree inequality is a problem but action to remedy it is thin on the ground.

Produced by Ben Irvine, Michael Umney and Samuel Shelton Robinson.

Music by Kalou.

Matthew Taylor talks to Geoff Mulgan about his book ‘Connexity’ (1997). Shortly after its publication Geoff became an advisor to Tony Blair’s newly formed New Labour government. The book described how the growth in global connectedness had ushered in a new age of interdependence which was at odds with our focus on individual freedom and demanded an evolution in government, institutions and our mentalities. Are governments running on an out of date operating system? Have we underestimated the ability of networks to concentrate power rather than distribute it? Does the failure to meet these challenges identified two decades ago help to explain our troubled times?

Produced by Ben Irvine, Michael Umney and Samuel Shelton Robinson.

Music by Kalou.

Can ideas change the world? Matthew Taylor talks to David Willetts about intergenerational inequality and his book ‘The Pinch: How the baby boomers stole their children’s future and why they should give it back’ (2010). Since its publication, inequality between the generations has only gotten worse. Why is it so difficult to turn peoples concern for their own children into policy which improves the prospects for the next generation as a whole? Can appeals to the welfare of future generations bridge cultural and political differences? And what does the author of ‘The Pinch’ think of his own policies as the Minister for Universities?

The first of four interviews revisiting influential books on public policy and social change published in recent decades.

Produced by Ben Irvine and Samuel Shelton Robinson.

At its best work can provide more than an income but meaning, purpose and community. In the final episode in our Work Shift series Matthew Taylor explores the characteristics of Good Work, how this compares with peoples’ working lives today and whether we could make all work Good Work in the 21st century. He’s joined by: the sociologist Richard Sennett, author of ‘The Craftsman’ (2008), Joanna Biggs, editor at the London Review of Books and author of ‘All Day Long: a portrait of Britain at work’ (2015). And Rohan Silva, ex-Government advisor and co-founder of the co-working space Second Home.

Produced by Michael Umney and Ben Irvine.

Login, complete gigs, get paid. The “gig economy” promises to deliver flexible working, efficiency and consumer convenience but some platforms may be dodging their responsibilities as employers. How should they be regulated? And can their benefits be combined with fair and decent work? Anthony Painter is joined by Trebor Scholz, a leading advocate of platform co-operativism and an Associate Professor for Culture & Media at The New School in New York, Olivia Sibony, Co-Founder of the sharing economy platform Grub Club and the RSA’s Brhmie Balaram who shares her recent research into gig-work in the UK.

A number of forces are combining to make work less stable and predictable. We’re switching jobs and retraining much more frequently. The job for life era appears to be history - is a universal basic income the right response? In episode two of ‘Work Shift’ Anthony Painter - Director of The RSA’s Action Research Centre - explores the different rationales and philosophies behind support for a basic income and how defining this policy idea has become a key terrain of political struggle. He’s joined by the Labour MP Jon Cruddas; Dr Louise Haagh, Reader in Politics at the University of York and editor of the Basic Income Studies Journal; and John Thornhill, Innovation Editor at the Financial Times.