UofG Spotlight

In this episode, with Living Wage Week having ended last week, we speak with Professor Ros Searle about her work on the relationship between the living wage, worker performance and wellbeing and business productivity.

Kezia Dugdale talks to Professor Graeme Roy about the forthcoming Scottish Budget, asking whether or not annual set piece Budget announcements – in the UK, in Scotland or anywhere – are a good way of making effective long-term financial decisions.

We also hear from Emily Rice, Energy Policy Officer at Citizens Advice Scotland, who discusses the implications of rising energy costs this winter.

Timestamps

Professor Ros Searle: 1:10

Professor Graeme Roy: 26:20

Emily Rice: 46:25

This episode marks the 20th edition of Spotlight.

In this second COP26 special, we speak to Dr Catherine Happer about the role of the media and social media in informing people's attitudes on climate change and their trust in the political process.

We also talk to Professor Jaime Toney, Director of the Centre for Sustainable Solutions at UofG, who is an expert in the science of climate change.

We also hear from the CEO of Citizens Advice Scotland, Derek Mitchell, who reflects on how advice services adapted during the pandemic and trends observed.

Timestamps:

Dr Catherine Happer: 01:25

Prof Jaime Toney: 16:10

Derek Mitchell: 26:48

On this COP26 special episode we speak to Dr Henry Lovat and Dr Gigi Jokubauskaite on issues around Climate Law and Governance.

We also talk to Professor John Crawford about global soil health in the context of climate change.

In the first of a three-part series, we also hear from Rory Mair, Chair of Citizens Advice Bureau Scotland, about the prospects of low-income families over the coming winter.

Timestamps

John Crawford: 02:10

Henry Lovat and Gigi Jokubauskaite: 21:35

Rory Mair: 45:35

On this episode we look at the current legislative issue in the Scottish Parliament of assisted dying, talking to two experts in the field.

We speak to Ben Colburn, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Glasgow, and Ally Thomson, the Scotland Director of the Campaign for Dignity in Dying.

On this week's episode we speak to Professor Alison Phipps, UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts, and Hyab Yohannes, UofG PhD scholar, about their work on refugees and their integration into the societies that they have come to.

We also talk to Dr Ali Fraser, Director of the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research, about his research on public health, youth and violence reduction, including work on the 'Changing Violence' project.

Timestamps

01:03 Dr Ali Fraser

21:52 Professor Alison Phipps and Hyab Yohannes

On this week's episode, we consider the issues around Scottish Independence, with this week marking 7 years since the 2014 Referendum.

Graeme Roy speaks to Professor Adam Tomkins, John Millar Professor of Public Law at the University of Glasgow and former Conservative Party MSP and adviser to the Strathclyde Commission.

Kezia Dugdale talks to Professor Stephen Gethins, Professor of Practice at the University of St Andrews and former SNP MP for North-East Fife and previously Special Adviser to the Scottish Government.

Timestamps

01:25 Professor Adam Tomkins

28:25 Professor Stephen Gethins

This week we chat to Sarah Davidson, Chief Executive of the Carnegie UK Trust, a hugely influential charitable trust, about Nicola Sturgeon's upcoming Programme for Government.

We also speak with Andy Philip, Political Editor of the Press & journal, to discuss where opposition parties, businesses and lobbying/campaigning organisations fit in shaping what happens after the Programme is announced.

Finally, we welcome back Jamie Livingstone from Oxfam Scotland for his third and final instalment on all things COP26.

Timestamps

01:02 Sarah Davidson

22:58 Andy Philip

36:10 Jamie Livingstone

On this episode, we speak to Jim McCormick, CEO of the Robertson Trust, which provides funding and support to those tackling poverty and trauma in Scotland. We also talk to Dr Ewan Gibbs, an economic historian at the University of Glasgow, who unpacks some of the recent debates around oil and gas, renewables and Scotland's economy. Finally, Jamie Livingston from Oxfam Scotland provides analysis on the forthcoming COP26. Timecodes 00:52 Introduction to Jim and the purpose of the Robertson Trust 03:24 Progress around 'preventative spend' agenda? 06:26 What have learnt from the pandemic? 09:23 Growing case for the 'wellbeing' economy 12:55 Why is it different from a tax credit system? 14:15 Lines in this debate between individual vs. structural support? 19:50 Selling of politics to the populace 22:43 Introduction by Graeme to the evolution of the modern economy and energy issues 23:38 Introduction to Ewan and overview of Scotland's economy in relation to the energy sector 32:10 Current debate re: shift in energy use 36:36 Nature of the industry and job creation 40:38 Levers to investment 45:51 Jamie Livingstone, Oxfam Scotland, on COP26

On this week's episode we speak to Professor David Bell about the levelling up agenda and the thorny debate over the replacement for EU Structural Funds.

We are also joined by Darren Hughes, Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society, which this week has published a key report on 20 years of proportional representation in the UK.

Jamie Livingstone, Head of Oxfam in Scotland, also kicks off his series on COP26: what it is all about and what to expect from the November conference.

Timestamps

David Bell

1:02 Regional Equalities and Brexit

8:07 Levelling up and the Shared Prosperity Fund

15:17 Correct policy response to regional spending of funds

20:54 Coordination of local, regional and national governments in delivering outcomes

Darren Hughes

26:24 Overview of ERS report on 20 years of PR

29:10 The Westminster system and recent UK elections

31:28 The relationship between research and policy development

36:12 Likelihood of change to the UK system

40:21 The place of referenda as a democratic tool

45:24 Developing role of private money in UK politics

James Livingstone

50:27 Introduction to COP26

On this week's episode we take our first look at some environmental issues. We speak to Dr Natalie Weldon, who is a Lecturer in Environmental Science at the University of Glasgow's School of Interdisciplinary Studies, who discusses the relationship between plastics and our seas.

We also talk to Adam Lang, the head of Nesta in Scotland, to examine the public's relationship with tech and politicians' relationship with academia.