In this episode of So Now What, host Catherine Galloway engages with Gates Cambridge scholars Halliki Voolma and Seetha Tan to explore the complexities of leadership in a rapidly changing world. They discuss the importance of gender equality policies, the role of storytelling in leadership, and the necessity of balancing short-term responses with long-term goals. The conversation emphasises the power of words, the significance of cultural change, and the value of collective leadership and community action. Both guests share personal insights into their leadership journeys, highlighting the importance of openness, listening, and staying true to one's values amidst chaos.

Takeaways

The only constant in life is change.

Effective leadership requires a long-term vision amidst chaos.

Policymaking and storytelling share similar skills.

Contradiction is a key aspect of leadership.

Words and language have significant power in policy.

Crisis management often overshadows long-term goals.

Cultural change is essential for policy progress.

Collective leadership fosters community resilience.

Personal stories shape leadership identity.

Staying true to values is crucial in turbulent times.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Change in a Chaotic World

02:48 Gender Equality and Policy Initiatives

06:07 Contradictions in Leadership

09:04 The Role of Storytelling in Leadership

11:51 Balancing Short-term and Long-term Goals

15:02 The Power of Words and Language

18:08 Crisis Management and Gender-Based Violence

20:59 Cultural Change and Policy Progress

23:50 Collective Leadership and Community Action

27:02 Personal Stories and Leadership Identity

29:52 Openness and Listening in Leadership

32:57 The Importance of Values in Leadership

36:02 Final Thoughts on Leadership and Action

In this episode of Crossing Channels, Richard Westcott talks to Dr Alessio Terzi from the Bennett School of Public Policy, and Prof Christian Gollier from the Toulouse School of Economics, about what a “fair” climate transition could look like when the costs are local, the benefits are global, and the politics are hard.

They explore why decarbonisation is a whole-economy transformation, what it means for jobs and places, and why the narrative matters as much as the technology.

The conversation also looks at carbon pricing and redistribution, the credibility problem of long-term policy, and what kinds of institutions and policies can keep people on board in the years ahead.

Transcript: MS Word / PDF

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With thanks to:

Audio production by Alice Whaley

Associate production by Burcu Sevde Selvi

Visuals by Tiffany Naylor and Pauline Alves

In episode one of season three of So, now what? two Gates Cambridge Scholars debate how to lead ethically in unethical times.

Reham and Amy explore with host Catherine Galloway the challenges and opportunities presented by AI and social media, emphasising the importance of community empowerment, ethical practices and the role of creatives in shaping a better future. The conversation, the first in a series of five episodes focused on leadership, highlights the need for transparency, human dignity and the potential for technology to serve the underrepresented, while also addressing the complexities of moderation and resistance in digital spaces.

Amy Zhang [2011] and Reham Hosny [also known as Reham Aboud - 2025] debate ethical leadership in the context of rapidly evolving technology and argue that we must prioritise human dignity and rights in technology development, including exploring alternative social media platforms.

Takeaways

Ethical leadership is crucial in today's global disorder.

AI can empower underrepresented communities.

Community engagement is essential for ethical moderation.

Social media platforms are evolving with new opportunities.

Creatives play a vital role in envisioning a better future.

We must prioritize human dignity and transparency in technology.

Resistance can take many forms, including creative expression.

We have agency in our use of social media platforms.

Supporting ethical leaders is necessary for positive change.

The future of technology depends on inclusive and ethical practices.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ethical Leadership

05:53 Defining Ethical Leadership in Technology

12:07 AI as a Tool for Empowerment

18:10 Social Media: Opportunities and Challenges

24:01 Moderation and Community Engagement

30:11 The Role of Creatives in Ethical Leadership

34:00 Conclusion and Call to Action

Richard Westcott chats with Jack Newman, Angélique Acquatella and Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg about what really drives inequality — from technology and trade to health and local policy — and how institutions can bridge the gap between national goals and everyday realities.

In this podcast episode of Crossing Channels, Richard Westcott talks to Jack Newman, Angélique Acquatella and Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg about the forces that shape inequality today.

Drawing on economics, politics and public policy, our guests examine why gaps persist, look at the roles of technology and trade, explore evidence on health inequalities in the UK, and discuss the delivery gap between national ambitions and local capacity. They share examples of when place-based approaches can work, what gets in the way, and how institutions can support more inclusive growth.

Season 5 Episode 2 transcript: MS Word / PDF

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For more information about the Crossing Channels podcast series and the work of the Bennett School of Public Policy and IAST visit our websites at https://www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/ and https://www.iast.fr/.

With thanks to:

Audio production by Alice Whaley

Associate production by Burcu Sevde Selvi

Visuals by Tiffany Naylor and Pauline Alves

In this first episode of series five of Crossing Channels, podcast host Richard Westcott welcomes three affiliated experts - Jonathan Grant, François Bonnefon and François Poinas - to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming higher education.

Welcome to the fifth series of our Crossing Channels podcast, co-produced by the Bennett School of Public Policy (UK), and the Institute for Advanced Studies in Toulouse and Toulouse School of Economics (France).

In this first episode, our host Richard Westcott welcomes three affiliated experts to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming higher education.

Jonathan Grant (Affiliated Researcher at the Bennett School of Public Policy), Jean-François Bonnefon (Toulouse School of Economics (TSE) & the Institute for Advanced Study in Toulouse (IAST)) and François Poinas (TSE & IAST) share different perspectives rooted in public policy, psychology, and economics.

They examine how AI is reshaping the way universities teach, conduct research, and connect with government, business, and civil society. They look into how generative tools are changing learning and assessment, how students and academics can build trust in AI systems, and what the rise of these technologies means for the skills and values that universities aim to foster.

Listen to this episode on your preferred podcast platform

Season 5 Episode 1 transcript: Word / PDF

To find out more about the work of the Bennett School of Public Policy and IAST visit our websites: https://www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/ and https://www.iast.fr/

Follow us on Linkedin and Bluesky

With thanks to:

Audio production by Alice Whaley

Associate production by Burcu Sevde Selvi, Bennett School of Public Policy

Visuals by Tiffany Naylor and Pauline Alves, IAST, TSE

How do we address the challenges of an ageing world? by University of Cambridge

This episode of 'So Now What' explores the multifaceted challenges of gender equality, focusing on personal stories, the impact of climate change, and the implications of technology on women's rights. The conversation highlights the ongoing struggles for reproductive freedom, the importance of storytelling, and the need for proactive engagement from men in the fight for gender equality. The guests share their insights on the current backlash against women's rights and the necessity of protecting spaces for dialogue and dissent.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Gender Equality Challenges

04:08 Personal Stories and Experiences

08:07 The Impact of Roe v. Wade Overturn

12:18 Climate Change and Early Marriage

16:43 Backlash Against Gender Equality

19:59 Engaging Men in Gender Equality

24:13 The Role of Technology in Gender Issues

28:55 Understanding the Danger for Women and Girls

34:06 Confronting and Comforting in Conversations

37:18 Final Thoughts and Calls to Action

In this commission for Cambridge Timeline Choir, composer Hannah Conway and librettist Hazel Gould reinterpret an Anglo-Norman treatise on menstruation, Sicom Aristotele nous dit, found in a manuscript at Trinity College, Cambridge, MS O.2.5, ff. 123r–124v. Performed by Cambridge Timeline Choir and recorded for Cambridge University Library, July 2025

In this commission for Cambridge Timeline Choir, composer Charlotte Baskerville invokes the power of saints to drive out vermin (from a manuscript at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, MS 457/395, f. 1v, ). Performed by Cambridge Timeline Choir and recorded for Cambridge University Library, July 2025

Wendy Ayres-Bennett and Benjamin Pitt join Richard Westcott to explore how speaking multiple languages shapes our identity, thinking, relationships, and boosts economic opportunities.

In this episode, Richard Westcott is joined by Wendy Ayres-Bennett and Benjamin Pitt to explore a big, everyday question: what is the value of speaking other languages? The conversation looks at how the languages we speak shape our sense of identity, influence how we think and reason, and affect how we relate to others. We explore how multilingualism can foster social cohesion, support cognitive flexibility, and even boost economic opportunities.

Our guests discuss why language is never just a tool for communication and why recognising its deeper value matters for how we design education, shape public policy, and navigate life in an increasingly interconnected world.

This episode is hosted by Richard Westcott (Cambridge University Health Partners and the Cambridge Biomedical Campus), and features experts Benjamin Pitt (IAST) and Wendy Ayres-Bennett (Cambridge University).

Season 4 Episode 9 transcript Word / PDF

Listen to this episode on your preferred podcast platform

For more information about the Crossing Channels podcast series and the work of the Bennett Institute and IAST visit our websites at bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk and iast.fr/

Follow us on Linkedin, Bluesky and X

With thanks to:

Audio production by Steve Hankey

Associate production by Burcu Sevde Selvi

Visuals by Tiffany Naylor and Aurore Carbonnel