As part of our mission to initiate new conversations about the UK and its future, the British Institute of Global Affairs will be covering different themes in short series. Once a week, we’ll be talking to a new guest on the theme of that series to get their insights into the problems, challenges, and opportunities in our changing world. Be sure to stay tuned!
Latest Posts
- Season 3, Podcast #5: Wolfgang Buttress
Welcome to the final episode in our Green Politics podcast! This season has brought in academics, activists, and consultants to discuss what climate change means for the UK, where to really locate the problems, and who takes responsibility for fixing them. In this last episode, however, we move away from the strictly political and towards … - Season 3, Podcast #4: Professor Alister Scott
In this penultimate episode, BIGA explores a debate that seems to be at the cross-roads of many of the issues that the UK faces: whether to build, or conserve. Our guest today has spent his career in “Prac-Academics” making sure that his research could be put to good use but Councillors and MPs alike. With … - Season 3, Podcast #3: Adam Ellis x Peter Westbury
As we reach the midpoint of our series on Green Politics, we are joined by two sustainability consultants: Adam Ellis and Peter Westbury. Adam’s work focuses on incorporating climate consciousness into F1 and racing while Peter’s work looks to help account for, and measure, carbon output from organisations. Their current work builds on their university …Read more “Season 3, Podcast #3: Adam Ellis x Peter Westbury”
- Season 3, Podcast #2: Ekaterina Dimitrova
This year’s COP summit faces one of the lowest attendance rates in recent years and has made headlines for protests led by indigenous Brazilians. In this podcast, we talk to Ekaterina Dimitrova – a certified Youth Climate Ambassador who has attended multiple COPs in the UK, Azerbaijan, and the United Arab Emirates. In this conversation, … - Season 3, Podcast #1: George Dikaios
Welcome back to the BIGA Podcast! We are excited to bring you another season filled with guests from a variety of backgrounds from climate diplomacy to the artistic world to green consultancy – this season has something for everyone! The theme of this season is Green Politics: how climate change affects the UK at home … - ‘Defence’ in Review
As we prepare to bring you the next season on the podcast, it’s worth revisiting our season on Security, Strategy, and Defence. The series started with Professor Phillips O’Brien discussing his book The Strategists: How War Made Them and How They Made War and ended with Karolina Hird from the Institute for the Study of … - Season 2, Podcast #5: Karolina Hird
Having started this season on Security, Strategy and Defence looking back to history and the Grand Strategists of World War II, we end the season looking to the daily updates from Ukraine that inform contemporary strategic thinking. Our guest this week is the Russia Team Deputy Lead and an Analyst for the Institute for the … - Season 2, Podcast #4: Dr Jenny Mathers
It has been more than three years since Russia illegally invaded Ukraine. In that time, different Prime Ministers, Presidents, and leaders have all tried to grapple with what that means for European security. But security for who? This week’s guest is Dr Jenny Mathers. She began her journey into academia by writing her doctorate thesis … - Season 2, Podcast #3: Dr Andrea Gilli x Dr Sean McFate
‘If you want peace, prepare for war’ is a quote often shared from the Roman writer Vegetius. Our guests today use their background working with General Petraeus, the Italian Ministry of Defence, NATO’s Defense College, private military companies, and the US’ National Defense University to debate how the West might prepare for war if it …Read more “Season 2, Podcast #3: Dr Andrea Gilli x Dr Sean McFate”
- Season 2, Podcast #2 – Professor Laura Sjoberg
General Barrow once said that “War is a man’s work… you have to protect the manliness of war”. But when men are given the exclusive role of protecting their country, there is an implication that they also have authority and responsibility over the protected. In today’s episode, we dive into the field of Feminist Security … - Season 2, Podcast #1 – Professor Phillips O’Brien
Author’s Note: Welcome back to the BIGA Podcast! This season, we’re focusing on Security, Strategy, and Defence to explore the threats, challenges, and opportunities facing the UK and what it can do to prepare. Let us know what themes you would like us to explore in future seasons! The news is rife with bombastic personalities …Read more “Season 2, Podcast #1 – Professor Phillips O’Brien”
- ‘Diplomacy’ in Review
Last week, we finished the first series on our podcast. It was a pleasure to get the opportunity to speak to people across the diplomatic spectrum – from former ambassadors with decades of experience to a new generation cutting their teeth on the issues of the day to those who attempt to bridge international relations … - Podcast #5 – Peter Jones, CMG
Author’s Note: This marks the end of our first podcast series as we’ve explored diplomacy in the 21st century and how the UK can navigate the challenges and opportunities unfolding in the world around us. It’s been really exciting for us to start this project and we hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as we … - Podcast #4 – Dr Neville Stiles, MBE
Author’s Note: Welcome to the penultimate episode on our series on diplomacy! Be sure to reach out and let us know how you’ve found the podcast so far! International relations and diplomacy can often appear to be a profession shrouded in mystery. It conjures up the image of secretive deals behind closed doors, the actions … - Podcast #3 – Britt Flanderijn
Author’s Note: Welcome back to our series on Diplomacy as we introduce our third episode. This marks the halfway point of the season so let us know how you’ve enjoyed it so far! “It’s not a relic of the Cold War… Nuclear threats have evolved rather than disappeared” The threat of nuclear war created a … - Podcast #2 – Berk Tansel
Author’s Note: Welcome to episode two in our series on Diplomacy. We have this episode and three more before the end of the season and we would absolutely love to hear your thoughts on how it is going so far! Be sure to comment or get in contact with any feedback you might have! “I … - Podcast #1 – Amb. John Everard
Author’s Note: Welcome to the first podcast from the British Institute of Global Affairs! Our first series, comprised of five episodes, will be focusing on the theme of ‘Diplomacy’ and each week, I’ll be speaking to guests about their backgrounds, experiences, insights, and thoughts on how the UK can navigate the world of diplomacy as …