Rethink

Professor Ben Ansell asks some of the world's sharpest minds about the latest thinking, and what it might mean for policy and society.

Sounds,124 episodes

Episodes

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Rethink... authenticity
Is authenticity in the modern age in the eye of the beholder?
05 Feb 2026,28 mins
Rethink... the promise of AI
If you look online, AI now seems to be everywhere - but what is it for?
29 Jan 2026,28 mins
Rethink... regeneration
With building and land costs high can we avoid gentrification when reviving urban areas?
22 Jan 2026,28 mins
Rethink...middle age
People are living longer and settling down later. Should we rethink middle age?
15 Jan 2026,28 mins
Rethink... nightlife
The UK's nightlife sector is on its knees, so can - and should - it be saved?
02 Oct 2025,28 mins
Rethink... winners and losers
Why understanding zero-sum thinking can help explain modern politics and attitudes.
25 Sep 2025,28 mins
Rethink: should we stop flying?
Should we take individual responsibility for the polluting effects of aviation?
18 Sep 2025,28 mins
Rethink: how can flying be less polluting?
Aviation is fiendishly difficult to decarbonise - but how can it be made cleaner?
11 Sep 2025,28 mins
Rethink...the meaning of terrorism
Is the word 'terrorism' overused, and what do we mean when we use it?
04 Sep 2025,28 mins
Rethink... summer holidays
In an age of climate change and over-tourism, what's the future for our summer holidays?
30 Jun 2025,28 mins
Rethink... the UK's relationship with China
Should the UK seek closer diplomatic and trade links with China?
19 Jun 2025,28 mins
Rethink... productivity
What are the factors behind the UK’s chronically weak productivity growth?
12 Jun 2025,28 mins
Rethink...the civil service
Can the civil service be reformed or is it simply too old and unwieldy?
05 Jun 2025,28 mins
Rethink...social housing
What's stopping the UK from building the social housing we need?
29 May 2025,28 mins
Liberalism
Could we be witnessing the end of liberalism?
27 Feb 2025,28 mins
Rethink... the global economy
Forget tariffs, what are the systems and raw materials that underpin the global economy?
20 Feb 2025,28 mins
Rethink...medical data
The PM says the NHS is well placed for an AI revolution in healthcare - but is it?
13 Feb 2025,28 mins
Rethink... crime prevention
40% of English and Welsh crimes went unsolved in 2024. So is prevention better than cure?
06 Feb 2025,28 mins
Rethink: is big tech stealing your life?
How is our relationship with big tech changing?
30 Jan 2025,28 mins
Rethink... museums
What are museums for?
23 Jan 2025,28 mins
Rethink… political labels
Is British politics today too complicated to be understood in terms of left and right?
16 Jan 2025,28 mins
Rethink... energy
How can the UK secure cheap, reliable and renewable power for our future needs?
31 Oct 2024,28 mins
Rethink...care
How can we make the care system work better for everybody - and how should we pay for it?
24 Oct 2024,28 mins
Rethink...pricing
Dynamic, drip and personalised pricing are now common - but are they fair?
17 Oct 2024,28 mins
Rethink... immigration
Is the UK more divided than ever over immigration, or are there areas of consensus?
10 Oct 2024,28 mins
Rethink... wealth
Most of us would love to be wealthy - but is it possible to be too rich?
03 Oct 2024,28 mins
Rethink... voting
How can we make every vote count? Quadratic voting could be a possible solution.
26 Sep 2024,28 mins
Rethink: Is the internet getting worse?
How can we get a better internet for everyone?
19 Sep 2024,28 mins
Rethink Work
Jobs of the Future
What is the future of work?
03 Aug 2023,42 mins
Rethink Work
Working Culture
How has the culture of work changed?
02 Aug 2023,42 mins