How the world should change after the coronavirus pandemic. Leading thinkers from across the globe give us their route maps to a better tomorrow.
Leadership
What type of leadership does the world need to tackle global warming? Amol Rajan discusses whether people with power are doing enough to solve the climate crisis. Are politicians just too focused on the ballot box to take long term decisions? What about the role of celebrities and business leaders?
Graihagh Jackson, presenter of the BBC podcast ‘The Climate Question’ is with Amol alongside guests Lord Deben, Greg Jackson, Monika Langthaler and Professor Daniel Schrag.
Producers Nick Holland and Marianna Brain
Sound design Graham Puddifoot
Editor Lizzi Watson
Production coordinators Sophie Hill, Helena Warwick-Cross and Siobhan Reed
1/6/2023 • 42 minutes, 54 seconds
Green technology and innovation
Will technology and innovation slow down or even reverse climate change? Amol Rajan looks at some of the existing innovations that could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and also at some of those still being developed. He asks whether we're relying too much on the promise of technology that either isn’t ready yet or can’t work at scale.
Graihagh Jackson, presenter of the BBC podcast ‘The Climate Question’ is with Amol alongside guests the former President of Kiribati Anote Tong, James Arbib, Aoife O’Leary and Dr Jan Rosenow.
Producers Nick Holland and Marianna Brain
Sound design Graham Puddifoot
Editor Lizzi Watson
Production coordinators Siobhan Reed, Helena Warwick-Cross and Sophie Hill
1/5/2023 • 42 minutes, 42 seconds
Green economy, money and prosperity
Amol Rajan explores what switching to a green economy may mean for the way we live and work and whether it's compatible with financial growth. If, for the sake of the planet we need to cut production, consumption and perhaps profit, then how will we pay for the essential services we need in the future? There are some difficult choices to make that sound particularly tough amid a cost-of-living crisis. However, despite all the difficulties, there are those who foresee a cleaner, fairer and more enriching world.
Graihagh Jackson, presenter of the BBC podcast ‘The Climate Question’ is with Amol Rajan alongside guests Professor Tim Jackson, Bernice Lee, Najma Mohamed and Dr Rhian-Mari Thomas
Producers Nick Holland and Marianna Brain
Sound design Graham Puddifoot
Editor Lizzi Watson
Production co-ordinators Siobhan Reed, Sophie Hill, Helena Warwick-Cross
1/4/2023 • 42 minutes, 42 seconds
Behaviour and communication
What personal lifestyle habits are we prepared to give up to stop global warming and who bears responsibility for changing our behaviour? Is it the state or the individual? Amol Rajan discusses why we continue to live the way we do, despite knowing the planet is heating up. Is it ignorance or denial? Perhaps the problems is with the way we talk about climate change. If so, then how does the discourse need to change?
Graihagh Jackson, presenter of the BBC podcast ‘The Climate Question’ is with Amol Rajan alongside guests Tom Bailey, Meghan Kennedy-Woodard and George Marshall.
Producers Nick Holland and Marianna Brain
Sound design Graham Puddifoot
Editor Lizzi Watson
Production Coordinators Siobhan Reed, Sophie Hill, Helena Warwick-Cross
1/3/2023 • 42 minutes, 55 seconds
Pledges and progress
In the first programme in this series Amol Rajan and guests examine the pledges that have been made on climate change and how far we have gone towards meeting them. What has worked to reduce greenhouse gasses and what’s not working, including the role of COP. Is the commitment to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees the right one?
Graihagh Jackson, presenter of the BBC podcast ‘The Climate Question’ is with Amol, alongside guests Professor Saleemul Huq, Mikaela Loach, Emeritus Professor Bill McGuire and Sarah Bell
Producers Nick Holland & Marianna Brain
Sound design Graham Puddifoot
Editor Lizzi Watson
Production Coordinators Siobhan Reed, Helena Warwick-Cross and Sophie Hill
1/2/2023 • 42 minutes, 48 seconds
Getting ready for the 100-year life
Amol Rajan and his guests look for some answers on how to tackle the challenges thrown up by demographic change. From the pressure put on governments by burgeoning populations of young people, to the tactics best adopted by those of us planning to live to a hundred.
GUESTS
Camilla Cavendish, former Director of Policy for Prime Minister David Cameron, Financial Times columnist and author of 'Extra Time: 10 Lessons for an Ageing World'
Professor Andrew Scott, Professor of Economics at London Business School and author of 'The 100-Year Life - Living and Working in an Age of Longevity'
Dr Eliza Filby writer and historian
Professor Ian Goldin, Professor of Globalisation and Development at the University of Oxford and author of 'Is the Planet Full?'
Presenter: Amol Rajan
Producer: Lucinda Borrell
Editor: Kirsty Reid
1/7/2022 • 42 minutes, 41 seconds
What Japan can teach us
Amol Rajan and his guests look at Japan where almost a third of the population is aged 65 or over. What does that mean for Japan's economy, and its future? And what can other ageing countries learn from its experiences so far?
GUESTS
Kathy Matsui, partner at venture capital fund MPower
Celia Hatton, Asia-Pacific Editor for the BBC
Bill Emmott, Chairman of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, former Editor of the Economist
Noreena Hertz economist and author of 'The Lonely Century'
Presenter: Amol Rajan
Producer: Lucinda Borrell
Editor: Kirsty Reid
1/6/2022 • 42 minutes, 35 seconds
Living in a young country
In episode three of the series, Amol Rajan is joined by guests from Africa and the Middle East to look at the challenges and opportunities faced by countries with rapidly growing young populations. Will this mean demographic dividend or disaster for states like Nigeria?
GUESTS
Dr Wangui Kimari, Junior Research Fellow, Institute for Humanities in Africa at the University of Cape Town
Cheta Nwanze, Lead Partner at SBM Intelligence
Meray Maddah, Research Assistant, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
Dr. Paul Morland, Author of ‘The Human Tide: How Population Shaped the Modern World’
Presenter: Amol Rajan
Producer: Ayeisha Thomas-Smith
Editor: Kirsty Reid
1/5/2022 • 42 minutes, 37 seconds
The Great British Baby Bust
Amol Rajan and guests look at why British birth rates have declined so much. Can we - should we - try to reverse this and how will we pay for the health and care needs of our growing elderly population?
GUESTS
Prof Sarah Harper, Director and Clore Professor of Gerontology, Oxford Institute of Population Ageing
Miatta Fahnbulleh, CEO, New Economics Foundation
Robert Colvile, Director, Centre for Policy Studies
David Runciman - Professor of Politics, University of Cambridge
Presenter: Amol Rajan
Producer: Rob Walker
Editor: Kirsty Reid
1/4/2022 • 42 minutes, 25 seconds
Is demography destiny?
In a new five-part Rethink series, Amol Rajan and guests challenge some of our long-held assumptions about population change. Are there really too many people in the world - or will some countries actually end up with too few?
GUESTS
Rt Hon. Lord David Willets, President of the Advisory Council and Intergenerational Centre of the Resolution Foundation
Professor Anna Rotkirch, Director, Population Research Institute, Väestöliitto, Finland
Professor Ian Goldin, Professor of Globalisation and Development at the University of Oxford
Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director, Population Foundation of India
Presenter: Amol Rajan
Producer: Rob Walker
Editor: Kirsty Reid
1/3/2022 • 42 minutes, 42 seconds
Technology and Education
During the pandemic many schools and universities relied on virtual lessons using video software. In the final programme of this Rethink on Education, we look to the future and ask what is the role of technology in education? Will students be taught virtually or will online resources only be used to enhance the classroom experience? Amol Rajan and guests discuss.
GUESTS:
Alex Beard, Author, Natural Born Learners
Matt Hood, Founder, Oak National Academy
Dilshad Sheikh, Dean of the Business School, Arden University
Dr. Elizabeth Gemmill, Department for Continuing Education, Oxford University
Presenter: Amol Rajan
Producer: Julie Ball
Editor: Kirsty Reid
7/9/2021 • 41 minutes, 41 seconds
Are we teaching the right subjects for the future of the country?
Universities receive double the amount of funding that Further Education colleges get, despite the fact they have twice the number of students, most of whom are in vocational training. If the country is to meet the requirements of new technology jobs, and skills, should we be investing more money in higher education that provides the skills we will need for the future economic prosperity of the country rather than a course in English Literature? Amol Rajan and guests discuss.
GUESTS:
Professor Dame Ann Dowling, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Cambridge University, Emeritus Professor of Mechanical Engineering
David Goodhart, Author 'Head, Hand, Heart: The struggle for dignity and status in the 21st Century
Jude Kelly, Founder WoW Foundation
Professor Steven Spier, Vice-chancellor, Kingston University
Presenter: Amol Rajan
Producer: Julie Ball
Editor: Kirsty Reid
7/8/2021 • 41 minutes, 42 seconds
Is the current exam system fit for purpose?
Should we change the current system of examinations for our 16 and 18 year olds? During the past two years pupils across the UK have missed out on official exams like GCSEs, A Levels and Highers. So are official exams no longer needed?
The current system was set up as a conduit for the now, 50 percent of students who go to university. But what about those who don't go on to higher education, are they being catered for? Is there a better way to assess what young people have learnt whilst at school that will help them get what they want out of life in the future? Amol Rajan and guests discuss.
GUESTS
Lord Kenneth Baker, Baker Dearing Educational Trust, UTC's
Laura McInerney, Founder, TeacherTapp
Dr. Kevin Stannard, Head of Innovation and Learning, Girls' Day Schools Trust
Aliyah Irabor-York, Student & Founder , Pupil Power
and
Kiran Gill, CEO and Founder, The Difference
Presenter: Amol Rajan
Producer: Julie Ball
Editor: Kirsty Reid
7/7/2021 • 41 minutes, 52 seconds
Can school make up for what's lacking at home?
Today's Rethink is looking at early years and primary education. With cuts in child services, are primary schools and early years providers becoming ersatz parents as well as educators? Providing everything from meals to setting boundaries in a space where children can be their very best?
Amol Rajan and guests discuss whether educators can really make up for what's missing in the home?
GUESTS
Dr. Mary Bousted, Joint General-Secretary, National Education Union
Naomi Eisenstadt, Chair, Northamptonshire Integrated Care System and Honorary Fellow at the University of Oxford Dept of Education
Zane Powles, MBE, Asst Deputy Headteacher, Western Primary School, Grimsby
Shaddai Tembo, Lecturer, Early Years, University of Highlands and Islands
Presenter: Amol Rajan
Producer: Julie Ball
Editor: Kirsty Reid
7/6/2021 • 41 minutes, 28 seconds
What is education for?
Rethinking Education. In a new five part Rethink series, Amol Rajan and guests discuss how we can re-think the Education system post pandemic.
GUESTS
Kikelomo Agunbiade, Head of Education, IPPR
Claire-Marie Cuthbert - Chief Executive, Evolve Trust
David Perks, Principal and Founder, East London Science School
Professor David Runciman, Professor of Politics and History, Cambridge University
Presenter: Amol Rajan
Producer: Julie Ball
Editor: Kirsty Reid
7/5/2021 • 41 minutes, 27 seconds
Jude Browne: Rethinking Responsibility
Professor Jude Browne looks at how we tackle the concept of responsibility post-pandemic
5/27/2021 • 6 minutes, 56 seconds
David Graeber: Rethinking Jobs
Author Graeber questions the purpose of our work.
7/14/2020 • 8 minutes, 10 seconds
Amonge Sinxoto: Rethinking Safety
Activist Sinxoto reminds us that millions of people live in constant danger.
7/8/2020 • 7 minutes, 1 second
Rt. Hon. Douglas Alexander: Rethinking Economic Dignity
Rt. Hon. Douglas Alexander, Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, suggests a series of specific policies to address low pay.
7/7/2020 • 6 minutes, 28 seconds
K T Tunstall: Rethinking The Music Industry
Musician Tunstall shares that convenience for consumers comes at a huge cost for artists
7/7/2020 • 7 minutes, 7 seconds
Henry Dimbleby: Rethinking How We Eat
Cookery writer Dimbleby reflects on how food is a marker of civilisation.
7/6/2020 • 7 minutes, 45 seconds
Aaron Bastani: Rethinking An Ageing Population
Writer Bastani investigates the change in demographics and how it will affect us.
7/6/2020 • 8 minutes, 6 seconds
V.S Ramachandran: Rethinking Brains
Neurologist Ramachandran asks how the pandemic has changed how we think about ourselves.
7/6/2020 • 8 minutes, 16 seconds
C K Lal: Rethinking Institutions
Journalist Lal argues for institutions to be re-engineered for the post-pandemic world
7/3/2020 • 7 minutes, 3 seconds
Carol Cooper: Rethinking Racial Equality
Senior Nurse Cooper makes an impassioned plea for justice.
7/3/2020 • 7 minutes, 30 seconds
Nisha Katona: Rethinking Hospitality
Chef Katona asks us to consider what makes the restaurant experience precious.
7/3/2020 • 6 minutes, 19 seconds
H. R. McMaster: Rethinking Empathy
Former United States National Security Advisor McMaster calls for consideration.
7/3/2020 • 6 minutes, 41 seconds
Dalai Lama: Rethinking Ancient Wisdom
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has a checklist of priorities for the post-pandemic world.
7/2/2020 • 5 minutes, 13 seconds
Mariana Mazzucato: Rethinking Value
Economist Mazzucato challenges the economic models that have dominated post-war policy
7/2/2020 • 10 minutes, 29 seconds
Onora O'Neill: Rethinking Digital Power
Philosopher O'Neill asks if tech giants have done irreversible damage to society/
7/2/2020 • 6 minutes, 35 seconds
Ziauddin Sardar: Rethinking Normality
Writer Sardar asks us what 'the new normal' is concealing.
7/2/2020 • 6 minutes, 56 seconds
Dr Xine Yao: Rethinking Masks
Lecturer Yao explains how masks are an expression of commitment to the collective good
7/1/2020 • 6 minutes, 11 seconds
Anthony Townsend: Rethinking Robots
Writer Townsend imagines a future that prioritises convenience
7/1/2020 • 6 minutes, 49 seconds
Seb Emina: Rethinking Travel
Writer Emina asks if we can experience the benefits and joy of travel without moving.
7/1/2020 • 6 minutes, 18 seconds
Lucy Jones: Rethinking Biophilia
Author Jones questions how our disconnection with nature is affecting our lives
7/1/2020 • 5 minutes, 56 seconds
Dr Charlotte Riley: Rethinking Universities
Historian Riley questions the concept of university being a rite of passage for the young
7/1/2020 • 6 minutes, 18 seconds
Emma Griffin: Rethinking Work
Professor Griffin highlights the unpaid and emotional work that often goes unrecognised.
7/1/2020 • 5 minutes, 45 seconds
David Wallace-Wells: Rethinking Consensus
Journalist Wallace-Wells applies cautious optimism to our current moment.
7/1/2020 • 6 minutes, 43 seconds
David Skelton: Rethinking Industry
Author Skelton supports a reinvigorated focus on manufacturing and technical education.
6/30/2020 • 6 minutes, 33 seconds
Nicci Gerrard: Rethinking Old Age
Author Gerrard asks us to remember the role, rights and needs of older people.
6/30/2020 • 6 minutes, 3 seconds
Tom Rivett-Carnac: Rethinking History
Campaigner Rivett-Carnac asks us to examine the stories we tell about ourselves.
6/30/2020 • 7 minutes, 1 second
Pascal Soriot: Rethinking Medical Co-operation
CEO of AstraZeneca, Soriot praises the example shown by scientists working together.
6/30/2020 • 8 minutes, 17 seconds
Mirabelle Morah: Rethinking Ourselves
Author Morah asks what we can do for each other, regardless of national boundaries.
6/27/2020 • 6 minutes, 32 seconds
Rana Faroohar: Rethinking Data
Journalist Faroohar analyses the growing power of Big Tech.
6/27/2020 • 6 minutes, 22 seconds
Jared Diamond: Rethinking A Global Response
American geographer and author Diamond asks if democracies are agile enough to do what's needed.
6/27/2020 • 6 minutes, 15 seconds
Anand Giridharadas: Rethinking Capitalism
Author Giridharadas asks if now is the moment to rethink everything.
6/27/2020 • 7 minutes, 35 seconds
Kwame Anthony Appiah: Rethinking The Power Of Small Actions
Philosopher Appiah reminds us that collective action is the sum of individual actions.
6/26/2020 • 6 minutes, 39 seconds
Jonathan Sumption: Rethinking The State
Author Sumption questions the freedoms we have given up during the pandemic.
6/26/2020 • 6 minutes, 27 seconds
Brian Eno: Rethinking The Winners
Musician Eno investigates the kinds of leadership available to us.
6/26/2020 • 5 minutes, 51 seconds
HRH Prince Charles: Rethinking Nature
Prince Charles argues that this country is uniquely well placed to champion an agri-"culture" that is the envy of the world.
6/26/2020 • 8 minutes, 1 second
Paul Krugman: Rethinking Solidarity
Economist Krugman wants us to recognise our inescapable inter-dependence.
6/25/2020 • 5 minutes, 47 seconds
K K Shailaja: Rethinking Development
Minister of Health and Social Welfare of Kerala State, Shailaja discusses the power of science.
6/25/2020 • 5 minutes, 49 seconds
Katherine Grainger: Rethinking The Olympics
Former rower Grainger reminds us that the Olympics were created in a time of upheaval
6/25/2020 • 6 minutes, 6 seconds
George Soros: Rethinking Debt
Philanthropist and investor Soros puts forwards some radical economic proposals.
6/25/2020 • 8 minutes, 7 seconds
Eliza Manningham-Buller: Rethinking Health Inequality
Chair of the Wellcome Trust, Manningham-Buller details the shocking disparities in life expectancy.
6/25/2020 • 5 minutes, 29 seconds
DeRay McKesson: Rethinking The Impossible
Civil rights activist McKesson passionately believes in a better America for young black men
6/25/2020 • 6 minutes, 3 seconds
Steven Pinker: Rethinking Human Nature
Philosopher Pinker discusses the possibility of progress
6/25/2020 • 7 minutes, 13 seconds
Matthew Walker: Rethinking Sleep
Scientist Walker proposes a radical rediscovery of how, when and why we sleep.
6/25/2020 • 6 minutes, 46 seconds
Gina McCarthy: Rethinking Activism
President and CEO of NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), McCarthy is passionate about the potential for change.
6/24/2020 • 5 minutes, 33 seconds
Emma Dabiri: Rethinking Identity
Author Dabiri asks us to move beyond identity politics and build meaningful connections.
6/24/2020 • 8 minutes, 18 seconds
Rebecca Adlington: Rethinking The Athlete's Life
Former Olympic champion Adlington challenges us to take control of the things that matter
6/24/2020 • 7 minutes, 38 seconds
Colin Jackson: Rethinking Our Responsibility For Our Health
Sprinter and broadcaster Jackson argues for us to see our bodies as a luxury.
6/24/2020 • 6 minutes, 12 seconds
Andy Murray: Rethinking Equality In Sport
Tennis player Murray highlights the importance of treating athletes equally
6/24/2020 • 5 minutes, 9 seconds
Tim Berners-Lee: Rethinking Digital Access
Inventor of the world wide web, Berners-Lee argues that we need to start designing the digital habits we want.
6/24/2020 • 6 minutes, 39 seconds
Clare Chambers: Rethinking The Body
Philosopher Chambers asks if our attitudes to our bodies have changed.
6/24/2020 • 6 minutes, 13 seconds
Caleb Femi: Rethinking Education
Poet Femi asks if students feel equipped to “survive in the wild that is adulthood”.
6/24/2020 • 6 minutes, 23 seconds
Stuart Russell: Rethinking AI
Scientist and author Russell asks us to consider the benefit of artificial intelligence
6/24/2020 • 6 minutes, 13 seconds
Carlo Rovelli: Rethinking Humanity
Physicist Rovelli campaigns for our species to choose compassion over brutality.
6/23/2020 • 5 minutes, 23 seconds
Reed Hastings: Rethinking Togetherness
Netflix CEO Hastings argues for stories that bring people together and build unity.
6/23/2020 • 7 minutes, 48 seconds
Kang Kyung-wha: Rethinking Accountability
South Korea's Foreign Minister discusses why trust is essential in times of crisis.
6/23/2020 • 5 minutes, 49 seconds
Ambassador Samantha Power: Rethinking Global Governance
Samantha Power is the former US Ambassador to the United Nations, Professor of Practice at Harvard Law School and Harvard Kennedy School, and the author of recent memoir, The Education of an Idealist. She argues that open societies, with changes at home and abroad, can move towards revitalising global cooperation.
6/23/2020 • 7 minutes, 18 seconds
Niall Ferguson: Rethinking Progress
Historian Ferguson asks how the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged progress
6/23/2020 • 9 minutes
Tara Westover: Rethinking The Education Divide
Author Westover argues that education, rather than wealth, is now the greatest divide.
6/23/2020 • 6 minutes, 56 seconds
Margaret MacMillan: Rethinking International Cooperation
Historian MacMillan explains how our interdependence is essential to our condition.
6/22/2020 • 5 minutes, 36 seconds
Jarvis Cocker: Rethinking an Environmental Revolution
Musician Cocker asks if the chirrup of the Hen Harrier will be enough to awake in us a new consciousness of our duty as stewards of the Earth
6/22/2020 • 7 minutes, 29 seconds
Lady Hale: Rethinking The Courts
Brenda Hale asks what it means in the year 2020 to get a fair hearing.
6/22/2020 • 6 minutes, 12 seconds
Lord Peter Hennessy: Rethinking Democracy
The historian Peter Hennessy asks what we might learn from the experience of another hinge moment: 1945, when an exhausted but victorious Britain launched a new social contract.
6/22/2020 • 5 minutes, 34 seconds
Amanda Levete: Rethinking How We Live
Stirling Prize-winning architect Levete talks about reconciling technology with nature and a public architecture which prioritises wellbeing over efficiency.
6/22/2020 • 6 minutes, 3 seconds
Mohammed Hanif: Rethinking Intimacy
Writer Hanif explores the role of intimacy in different human cultures.
6/22/2020 • 5 minutes, 17 seconds
Pope Francis: Rethinking Poverty
Pope Francis explains why he sees Covid-19 as a potential turning point in history. Taken from a longer interview with Austen Ivereigh and read by Joseph Balderrama. Photo credit: Reuters.
6/22/2020 • 8 minutes, 15 seconds
Welcome to Rethink
How the world should change after the coronavirus pandemic. Leading thinkers from across the globe give us their route maps to a better tomorrow.