Oxford Policy Pod

• What can public policy learn from literature?: A conversation with Colombian novelist Juan Gabriel Vásquez

  Juan Gabriel Vásquez has a central preoccupation: the past —a theme that has shaped much of his fiction. His latest novel, Los nombres de Feliza, published in January, explores the life of Colombian sculptor Feliza Bursztyn, who was politically persecuted and forced into exile during the Cold War. In this episode of Oxford Policy Pod, the acclaimed Colombian author —winner of the 2011 Alfaguara Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in Spanish-language literature— reflects on the roots of this enduring fascination, which has led him to write nine novels and several short story collections. He also discusses the place of culture in political life, the rise of authoritarianism around the world, Colombia’s current political climate, and more.

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• A Direct Take on Democracy’s Biggest Challenges with Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo

  Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo is one of Spain’s most prominent political voices. A historian and journalist, she is a Member of the Spanish Parliament and a staunch advocate for democracy, freedom, and constitutionalism. Educated at Oxford, where she studied under Sir John H. Elliott, she transitioned from academia to journalism at El Mundo before stepping into politics. In this episode, she dissects the crisis of democracy in the West, the rise of nationalism, the evolving role of women in politics, and the growing tensions between free speech and identity politics. From Europe to Latin America, she offers a sharp and unfiltered perspective on the political forces shaping today’s world.

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• Sacrifice Zones: The Price of Progress?

  🎙️🌎 Sacrifice Zones: The Price of Progress? In this episode of the Oxford Policy Podcast, we sit down with legal scholar Iza Linazasoro to uncover the harsh realities of sacrifice zones—communities forced to bear the cost of industrial development at the expense of their health and environment. Featuring the Quintero Bay case in Chile, Linazasoro highlights the environmental, social, and health impacts of industrial pollution. She also discusses the roles of various stakeholders, the power imbalances, and the inadequate institutional responses. The conversation includes insights into international frameworks and policies necessary to address these injustices and emphasises the importance of community involvement and advocacy in policy-making.Tune in and join the conversation 🎧

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• The challenges of freedom of expression in times of democratic crisis with Martin Baron

  Martin Baron led two of the world's most important newsrooms, those of The Boston Globe and The Washington Post. He was at the former when the newspaper exposed the network of cover-ups of pedophile Catholic priests in the Archdiocese of Boston. At the latter, he was present during the Edward Snowden leaks about the National Security Agency (NSA)'s spying activities and during Trump’s first presidency, marked by the Republican’s confrontational stance toward the media. Now, enjoying the retirement he has embraced for a few years, he analyzes the global landscape, the threats to freedom of expression, and the role of the media in the digital age.

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• Possible Utopia - Gendered View of Politics

  Releasing Possible Utopia – the podcast where we explore the intersection of politics, gender, and leadership to imagine a better world. From navigating challenges of safety and well-being in public life to uncovering the motivations that drive them, we’ll delve into the stories behind the individuals shaping our societies. Together, we’ll tackle the tough questions, confront systemic issues, and reimagine what a more inclusive and just political landscape could look likeThis isn’t just a conversation about politics; it’s a journey toward possibility – a utopia we can begin building today. Let’s explore it together."Meet our host of Possible Utopia, Kanksshi Agarwal, Founder of NETRI Foundation, India’s first incubator for women in political ecosystem, LiveMint 100 women shaping India, TEDx speaker and Cyril Shroff Scholar at Oxford University.Our first guest is, Viktorya Aydinyan, A public policy expert from Armenia with over eight years' experience of strategic planning, policy development, and public sector reform, Viktorya has co-authored nine national strategies and led over 25 initiatives in public management and human capital development. She advised the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia on strategy, development aid, and public administration reform. Viktorya has also held roles such as, Advisor to the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, and Team Lead for Public Administration Reforms within the Ministry of Justice.In this episode, Kanksshi and Viktorya delve into experiences of a young armenian woman in politics, her role in revolution, her perspectives on public administration, but more so her journey as an ambitious woman in politics, who traverses the delicate world of politics to bring about transformational changes in the society.

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