Today’s organisations are increasingly complex with many rules and procedures and little space to think outside the box and take personal responsibility. 

In this Transforming Business episode, Martin Parker speaks with Mats Alvesson and Dennis Nørmark, co-authors of ‘Return to Judgement’, about how we can tackle this and give workers more space to use their judgement. 

They discuss the rise of managerialism, the problem with having an excess of an administrative ‘knowing better class’ and what can be done to give employees their agency back.

Mats Alvesson is Professor at the University of Bath, Lund University and City University of London. Dennis Nørmark is an anthropologist, author and speaker.

Find out more about the book at: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/professional-business/return-to-judgement

The transcript is available here: https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2026/06/26/podcast-why-work-needs-less-management-and-more-judgement/

Timestamps:

00:38 - What was your motivation for writing this book?

04:05 - Do you think the infantilisation we're seeing now is different in kind or quality from what we've seen in the 20th century?

06:28 - How does this fit with other complaints about modern organising?

10:52 - What are some examples of infantilisation in the workplace?

15:59 - Are there examples from private sector organisations too?

19:13 - Is this primarily a complaint by professionals, or is it wider than that?

21:05 - Are IT systems a way infantilised management gets embedded?

25:49 - What are the solutions?

33:17 - Who do you hope will read this book?

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Among the challenges for FIFA, the world governing body for football, when it was set up in 1904, was securing agreement on a shared set of rules for the game. It’s come a long way since then: it’s now a multi-billion-dollar behemoth, an unparalleled power in world sport. But on the eve of what it bills as ‘the greatest show on earth’ – the 2026 World Cup hosted in North America – it’s worth pausing to ask how well it serves the interests of the fans of the planet’s biggest spectator sport. 

To discuss the past, present and future of FIFA, George Miller is joined by Alan Tomlinson, Emeritus Professor of Leisure Studies at the University of Brighton and author of What is FIFA for? 

Tomlinson is the antithesis of the ivory tower academic; his interest in understanding FIFA’s inner workings has taken him on years’-long quests more akin to investigative reporting than abstract theorising. This book, which one reviewer called the ‘capstone’ of his long interest in FIFA, distinguishes the reality from the rhetoric, the better to map the possible future of the game.  

Throughout the conversation, two themes recur: accountability and transparency. For Tomlinson, the greatest challenge FIFA poses is not its size but the difficulty of holding such a powerful organisation to account.

Alan Tomlinson is Emeritus Professor of Leisure Studies at the University of Brighton UK and a pioneer of critical sport and leisure research, blending cultural studies with investigative and in-the-field research.

Find out more about the book at: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/trade/what-is-fifa-for

The transcript is available here: https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2026/06/05/podcast-fifa-the-beautiful-game-and-billions-of-dollars-where-does-accountability-lie/

Timestamps:

01:22 - What is your football background?

04:22 - What is it about FIFA that has engaged your interest?

08:28 - How did your research approach affect what insights you gathered?

13:13 - Why is the question of what FIFA is for more complicated than it first appears?

18:45 - How transparent and accountable is FIFA?

29:18 - How vulnerable is FIFA to corruption?

33:28 - What are the top 3 priorities for a reformed FIFA?

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Immigration policy is one of the most contested areas of contemporary politics. It is also one of the most misunderstood. Public debate often degenerates to trading numbers – how many people are coming in, and whether that number is too high or too low – but as Madeleine Sumption argues, the reality is both more complex and more difficult to resolve than that suggests. 

In this episode of the podcast, George Miller speaks to Madeleine Sumption, director of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford and author of 'What is Immigration Policy for?'. They discuss why there is no single ‘right’ level of immigration, how the same evidence can lead to such different conclusions, and why attempts to control migration numbers so often fail. 

Their conversation also explores the limits of data in policymaking, the trade-offs between economic, humanitarian and political objectives, and the ways in which public debate often misses the fundamentally different purposes served by work, family and asylum migration.

Madeleine Sumption is the Director of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, which provides impartial analysis of migration in the UK.

Find out more about the book at: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/trade/what-is-immigration-policy-for

The transcript is available here: https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2026/05/05/podcast-why-immigration-policy-doesnt-add-up/

Timestamps:

01:33 - What drew you into immigration policy as a career?

07:39 - Do most people cost the state more than we pay into it?

08:48 - Why is data and policy such a tricky relationship?

14:41 - Why can't you effectively cap net migration?

19:54 - What is the current state of the immigration debate in the US?

24:35 - How can we improve immigration policy?

31:11 - What's the one thing you wish everyone understood about immigration?

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We often think of vulnerability as weakness - but what if it’s the very thing that connects us all? 

In this Transforming Business episode, Martin Parker speaks with Melissa Tyler, author of 'Organizing Vulnerability', about why we need to rethink vulnerability as a shared, deeply social condition shaped by inequality and interdependence. 

From workplaces to the climate crisis, Tyler offers a powerful reimagining of vulnerability that opens pathways to solidarity, dignity and more just forms of organization.

Melissa Tyler is Professor of Work and Organization Studies at the University of Essex.

Find out more about the book at: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/organizing-vulnerability

The transcript is available here: https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2026/04/14/podcast-rethinking-vulnerability-as-strength/

Timestamps:

0:47 - Can you tell us about the book that you've written?

4:38 - How is vulnerability unequally distributed?

5:47 - How do these ideas intersect with the world of work and organisations?

7:51 - How does vulnerability relate to your interest in artistic and creative work?

11:16 - What is the chapter 'Existing: The Social Relations of Breathing' about?

16:06 - What is the chapter 'Enduring: The Social Relations of Grieving' about?

20:57 - What is the chapter 'Enacting: The Social Relations of Appearing' about?

28:08 - How does this help us make workable lives?

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In today’s escalating climate crisis, more employees are asking how they can make a meaningful environmental difference at work - but where do we start and what can we really do? 

In this Transforming Business episode, Martin Parker speaks with Barbara Kump and Babette Julia Brinkmann, authors of ‘The Green Handprint at Work’, about how we can all create change from within our organisations. 

They unpack why the idea of a green handprint can be more powerful and motivating than the language of carbon footprints, the different strategies people use to spark environmental change within organisations and how employee activists can sustain hope and resilience while tackling challenges that often feel overwhelming.

Barbara Kump is Associate Professor of Business and Sustainability at the University of Twente. Babette Julia Brinkmann is Professor of Organisational and Group Psychology at Cologne University of Applied Sciences.

Find out more about the book at: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/professional-business/the-green-handprint-at-work

The transcript is available here: https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2026/03/10/podcast-how-to-be-an-employee-activist-for-sustainability/

Timestamps:

01:05 - How did you get interested in employee activism?

05:25 - What is the difference between a carbon footprint and the idea of a green handprint?

07:08 - Is the phrase 'employee activist' something of a paradox?

10:11 - Are these changes too small in the face of the larger issue of capitalism?

14:10 - What were some of the most inspirational stories from employee activists?

21:32 - How can people approach decision makers about these changes?

25:26 - What risks can come from being an employee activist?

28:36 - How can employee activists stay resilient?

33:50 - Who do you hope will read this book?

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Tens of thousands of individuals are affected by disappearance and enforced disappearance every year, but until now the study of this phenomenon has often been disjointed and disconnected due to academic silos.

In this podcast, Richard Kemp speaks with Bahar Baser and Élise Féron, two of the co-editors for the new Journal of Disappearance Studies, about how the journal serves as a space to break these boundaries and give this important field a unified platform.

They discuss the difference between disappearance and enforced disappearance, the ethical implications of speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves and how they hope the journal will evolve over the coming years.

Bahar Baser is based at Durham University, UK. Élise Féron is based at Ulster University, UK

Find out more about the journal at: https://bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journals/jds/jds-overview.xml

The transcript is available here: https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2026/03/06/podcast-why-disappearance-research-matters/

Timestamps:

01:28 - What was the inspiration behind starting the Journal of Disappearance Studies?

04:20 - What are the different forms of disappearance?

08:40 - What is it like for the families who are left behind?

14:41 - Why are 'widows' particularly impacted?

16:05 - Why are enforced disappearances getting more prevalent?

21:13 - What is transitional justice?

30:54 - Why was it important for the journal to include poetry and filmmaker interviews, alongside academic articles?

34:50 - What ethical issues arise when researching and representing disappearance?

38:54 - How do you hope the journal will evolve in future issues?

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What happens when Nature is given a voice, and a vote, in business? 

In this Transforming Business podcast episode, Martin Parker speaks with Simeon Rose, author of ‘Nature’s Boardroom’, about how businesses can embed ‘Nature governance’ into their organisations. 

They discuss Faith In Nature and their decision to appoint Nature to its board of directors, the challenges and insights gained, and why more companies should follow suit.

Simeon Rose is Brand Director at Faith In Nature and Co-creator of Nature on the Board.

Find out more about the book at: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/professional-business/natures-boardroom

The transcript is available here: https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2026/02/16/podcast-when-nature-has-a-voice-in-business/

Timestamps:

00:49 - What is Faith in Nature?

06:08 - How did your role evolve beyond marketing at Faith in Nature?

10:22 - When does the idea of embedding nature as a shareholder take place?

13:38 - Was there a link between Faith in Nature and Patagonia making similar organisational moves?

16:36 - How did you practically embed nature as a shareholder into decision making?

19:48 - How does Nature get represented in a typical meeting?

25:14 - Do you think something like this could happen at a different company, such as Boeing?

30:00 - What do you mean by 'kill your darlings'?

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In 2024 the news was full of stories of the GMB Union’s fight for formal recognition at Amazon’s BHX4 Coventry warehouse. Yet, despite skyrocketing membership, the union narrowly lost a ballot that would have forced Amazon to grant them this recognition. 

In this episode of the Transforming Business podcast, Martin Parker speaks with Tom Vickers, author of ‘Organizing Amazon’, about the union’s successes but also their unfortunate setbacks. 

They discuss Amazon’s formal, and informal, stances on trade unions, the innovative approach GMB took to develop leadership for the movement from the ground up, and how the lessons learned from this campaign are not only helpful for other Amazon warehouses but for workers far beyond the Amazon ecosystem.

Tom Vickers is Associate Professor of Sociology and Director of the GMB-NTU Work Futures Research Observatory at Nottingham Trent University.

Find out more about the book at: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/professional-business/organizing-amazon

The transcript is available here: https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2026/01/26/podcast-building-worker-power-at-amazon-and-beyond/

Timestamps:

00:38 - How did you start writing about Amazon?

03:37 - What is Amazon's background with trade unions?

08:52 - Why are Amazon management so hostile to trade union organisation?

11:31 - What is the story with trade unions and Amazon's Coventry BHX4 warehouse?

18:11 - How did the GMB work with the workforce?

23:41 - What is the present situation at the BHX4 warehouse?

27:25 - What are the general lessons we can learn from the BHX4 story?

30:25 - Do you think we'll see more pushback with the increase of AI driven workplaces?

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Why are liberation and independence movements so often betrayed when their leaders get into power? 

In this episode, Richard Kemp speaks with Lord Peter Hain, author of ‘Liberation and Corruption’, about this uncomfortable question. 

They discuss Peter’s involvement with the fight for Nelson Mandela’s freedom, the reasons why liberation movements from ANC to the Sandinistas have corrupted once in government, and what we can all do to combat corruption and stop this vicious cycle. 

Lord Peter Hain served as MP for Neath (1991-2015) and held senior roles in the UK Labour Government for 12 years, including seven in the Cabinet.

Find out more about the book at: https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/trade/liberation-and-corruption

The transcript is available here: https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2026/01/19/podcast-why-freedom-movements-fail/

Timestamps:

01:37 - How are liberation movement who come into power affected by their predecessors?

03:59 - Who were the Sandinistas? What did they want? And how did they go so wrong?

07:27 - What role did the US play in the corruption of Nicaragua and quite a lot of Latin America?

09:40 - How does the UK participate in theft from the African continent?

18:06 - What is neoliberalism, and did it contribute to Robert Mugabe's descent into corruption?

22:03 - Is there a link between neoliberalism and the rise of the far right and the populist right?

26:13 - How correct was Mandela when he said that those who fought corruption could become corrupt themselves?

29:26 - Could you tell us about your involvement with campaigning for Nelson Mandela's freedom?

32:34 - What lessons should our governments and policymakers learn from liberators who come into power?

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Each January, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists adjusts the hands of its Doomsday Clock to signal how close humanity stands to catastrophe. At the end of the Cold War, the clock was set at 17 minutes to midnight. Today, it is at just 89 seconds – its closest-ever setting. 

In this episode of the podcast, George Miller speaks to Patricia Shamai, Principal Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Portsmouth and author of What Are Nuclear Weapons For? They discuss why nuclear weapons have drifted from public consciousness since the 1990s, even as thousands of warheads remain in existence, major powers modernise their arsenals, and new technologies make the strategic picture yet more complex. 

The conversation also touches on Vladimir Putin’s nuclear posture during the war in Ukraine, the challenges posed by strategic ambiguity, and whether – despite all this – there are any grounds for cautious optimism.

Patricia Shamai is Principal Lecturer in International Relations and Associate Head of School in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Portsmouth.

Find out more about the book at: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/trade/what-are-nuclear-weapons-for

The transcript is available here: https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2025/12/19/podcast-89-seconds-to-midnight-why-we-need-to-rethink-nuclear-weapons-now/

Timestamps:

02:33 - What prompted you to write the book?

08:33 - Did reading testimonies of people who experienced the detonations in Japan in 1945 enhance your understanding or change your perception?

14:01 - Why is the nuclear weapon picture always changing?

23:41 - What is the current climate among nuclear powers more broadly?

28:52 - Are there any signs of hope that we can begin to pull that second hand back from midnight?

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