Global Development Institute podcast

Why Study a PhD in Development Economics at GDI?

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Listen to a discussion between Dr Osman Ouattara and two of our current PhD researchers, Mahtab Uddin and Matilda Kabutey-Ongor. In this episode they ...

Alumni Discussion: Navigating Development Careers in the Twenty-First Century

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Dr Natalie Cunningham, Senior Lecturer in Leadership for Development at GDI, speaks to three UoM alumni about their experiences navig...

In Conversation: Gindo Tampubolon on healthy ageing around the world

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A conversation with Gindo Tampubolon, GDI's Reader in Global Health, to discuss his research on global healthy ageing and his work as a lead expe...

In Conversation: Luis Eduardo Pérez Murcia on home and internal displacement in Colombia

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we speak to GDI alumnus and research fellow Luis Eduardo Pérez Murcia about his recent open access book, A Long Journey Home: Losing...

Flexible Embeddedness: In Conversation with Elisa Gambino

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Rory Horner speaks with Elisa Gambino about her latest paper 'Flexible embeddedness: how Chinese lead firms internationalise in ...

Unravelling African print textiles value chains - with Dr Fidèle Beletchei Ebia

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Elisa Gambino (GDI) interviews Dr Fidèle Beletchei Ebia, a postdoctoral researcher with Duke Africa Initiative, about her recent paper analysing h...

A Feminist Commodity Chain Approach to Disinformation - with Anuradha Ganapathy

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we speak to PhD researcher Anuradha Ganapathy about her recent think piece 'Beyond Digital Platforms: Unpacking Disinformation T...

Financing the Ghanaian Cocoa Sector

21 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Sophie Van Huellen (Senior Lecturer in Development Economics at GDI) and Fuad Mohammed Abubakar (Head of Ghana Cocoa Marketing Compan...

In Conversation: Monika Verma on Securitisation and the Rohingya Community in India

07 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, visiting postdoctoral scholar Monika Verma (Palacký University Olomouc) sits down with GDI's Ibrahim Efe to discuss her researc...

Could a Global Minerals Trust support the green transition? Interview with Saleem Ali

03 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the world moves towards more sustainable energy sources and infrastructure projects, demand for critical energy transition minerals is surging. Giv...

In Conversation: Noam Leshem interviewed by GDI Students for Palestine

19 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, GDI students Max Slater, Rosie Rochester, and Armando Caroca Fernandez interview Dr Noam Leshem (Durham University) about his new boo...

In Conversation: Payal Arora on Tech Optimism in the Global South

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

PhD Researcher Anuradha Ganapathy interviews Payal Arora, Professor of Inclusive AI Cultures at Utrecht University and co-founder of two initiatives, ...

Nigeria's Urban Heritage: In Conversation with Dr Taibat Lawanson

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Brought to you by the combined voices of the African Cities Research Consortium and the Global Urban Futures and Environment Policy and Planning resea...

Poverty Amid Conflict | In conversation with Yanchun Zhang

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, GDI's Senior Lecturer Saumik Paul discusses the recently published United Nations Development Programme report on the Multidimen...

Students in conversation with Nadia Naser-Najjab: Palestine and decolonisation

20 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

GDI students Ellen Logan and Alex Pettifer interview Dr Nadia Naser-Najjab (University of Exeter), covering the discipline of Palestine Studies, how I...

Tigray war: Modern geographies of mass violence and the invisibilization of populations

17 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, GDI's very own Tekle Weldemichel discusses his recent paper, 'Tigray war: Modern geographies of mass violence and the invis...

Interdisciplinary Approaches to Conservation | Amy Penfield and Filipe França

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode brought to you by the Sustainable Forest Transitions Project, research associate Lucas Alencar speaks with anthropologist Amy Penfield...

Decoloniality: Beyond a Metaphor - Lecture with Prof Uma Kothari

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Towards the end of 2024, GDI's Professor Uma Kothari delivered a lecture titled 'Decoloniality: Beyond a Metaphor'. We're fortunat...

Global Development Today... Whose 'Development' Is It Really?

11 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chaired by Professor Nicola Banks and Selim Iyirdirli, this episode brings to you a lecture discussion between Deborah Doane, author of ‘The INGO Pr...

In Conversation: Joan Martínez-Alier on Environmentalism

03 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, GDI's Armando Caroca and Rose Pritchard speak with Joan Martínez-Alier, an economist and emeritus professor of economics and se...

Dr Portia Roelofs & Anna Thurlbeck on Good Governance in Nigeria

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, GDI PhD researcher Anna Thurlbeck speaks with Dr Portia Roelofs, lecturer in politics at Kings College London.Dr Roelofs provides an ...

Sustainable Forest Transitions: In conversation with Dr Pooja Choksi

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, PhD researcher Mariana C. Hernandez-Montilla continues a new series of podcasts linked to the GDI's Sustainable Forest Transitio...

Lwanga Bwalya of Play it Forward Zambia speaks with One World Together

18 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, One World Together's co-founder Nicola Banks and Community Space Development Lead Asma Bham speak with one of their community pa...

Panel Discussion: Sustainable Forest Transitions Project Launch

09 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Following the launch of the Sustainable Forest Transitions project at Manchester Museum on the 6th March 2024, we bring you a new episode featuring th...

In Conversation: Kiya Gezahegne + Oliver Bakewell on Migration

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Oliver Bakewell, Impact Director at GDI, discusses migration practices along the Ethiopia-Sudan border with Kiya Gezahegne, an ethnographic researcher...

Sustainable Forest Transitions: In conversation with Dr Sreeja Jaiswal

12 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, PhD researcher Sandy Nofyanza kicks off a new series of podcasts linked to the GDI's Sustainable Forest Transitions project. San...

Cash Transfers for Poverty Reduction | Francisco V Ayala

15 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Francisco V. Ayala discusses his new book, Cash Transfers for Poverty Reduction: An International Operational Guide (Routledge, 2023)...

In Conversation: Jon Alexander with Nicola Banks and Chibwe Masabo Henry

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Selim Iyidirli hosts a conversation around One World Together and its model for Global Citizenship with Jon Alexander, author of Citizens: How the Key...

Unpacking the ‘Developing’ Country Classification | Deborah Barros Leal Farias

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The division of the world into ‘developing’ and ‘developed’ countries has grown increasingly problematic in the past decades. Nonetheless, it ...

What role can researchers play in driving urban reform?

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode comes from the African Cities Research Centre, based at the Global Development Institute. Urban reform coalitions can play a critical rol...

Is Development Studies still relevant? A discussion with Sam Hickey, Heloise Weber and Winnie Mitullah

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The latest episode of our podcast brings together Sam Hickey, President of the Development Studies Association UK, Heloise Weber, President of the Dev...

In Conversation: Kathy Dodworth + Elisa Gambino

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Elisa Gambino is joined by Kathy Dodworth. They discuss Kathy’s new book, Legitimation as Political Practice, her transition from wo...

South Sudan’s decades of displacement: Understanding return and questioning reintegration

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

People in South Sudan have experienced decades of forced displacement and cross-border mobility, resulting in families split across the country and ne...

In Conversation: Lisa Ann Richey + Tanja Müller

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

 In this episode Tanja Müller talks to Lisa Ann Richey about her career and her recent book, Batman Saves the Congo: How Celebrities Disrupt the Pol...

In Conversation: Tom Goodfellow + Pritish Behuria

27 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Tom Goodfellow and Pritish Behuria discuss Tom's career and his new book, Politics and the Urban Frontier: Transformation and Div...

Building inclusive urban reform coalitions | Diana Mitlin

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode comes from the African Cities Research Consortium podcast.Diana Mitlin talks to Ezana Haddis Weldeghebrael about her new paper on how ref...

Community-led planning and transformation with Charity Mumbi and Jane Wairutu

19 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode comes from the African Cities Research Consortium podcast. “It’s not our data as SDI, it’s not ACRC data, it’s not their data. I...

In Conversation: Amani Abou-Zeid

04 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the latest Global Development Institute podcast Amani Abou-Zeid, African Union Commissioner in charge of infrastructure, energy and ICT, talks to S...

In Conversation: Basma Albanna + Richard Heeks

24 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Development studies often focuses on the negative: constraints, challenges, negative impacts, etc. But what if we could use new digital datasets to id...

In Conversation: Stefano Ponte

29 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Stefano Ponte talks to Aarti Krishnan about his research into sustainability, the wine and seafood value chains in South Africa and h...

Shifting South: Horticulture regional value chains and decent work in Africa

23 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the second of our Shifting South series, Stephanie Barrientos talks to Margareet Visser and Maggie Opondo. They reflect on the project and their re...

Shifting South: Regional garment value chains and decent work in Southern Africa

27 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the first of our Shifting South series, Stephanie Barrientos talks to Khalid Nadvi and Shane Godfrey. They reflect on the project and their researc...

In Conversation: Stefan Dercon

17 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the latest episode of the GDI podcast, Professor Stefan Dercon talks to Dr Sophie van Huellen. They discuss Stefan's new book, "Gambling ...

Urban metabolism, water scarcity & seawater desalination in Chile | Maria Christina Fragkou

18 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

GDI’s Resources, Environment, and Development research group have recently organised a series of talks on ‘Red Talks: on the Politics of Resources...

Global Covid-19 vaccine inequality | Karrar Karrar, Lara Dovifat & Ken Shadlen

03 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While the Covid-19 pandemic has caused enormous devastation and disruption in health, social and economic terms, the remarkably quick development of C...

Disaggregating China, Inc: State Strategies in the Liberal Economic Order | Yeling Tan

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Yeling Tan discusses her book, Disaggregating China, Inc: State Strategies in the Liberal Economic Order. China’s entry into the World Trade Organiz...

The New International Economic Order & the Right to Development | Jennifer Bair

05 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast focuses on development politics at the United Nations, particularly the period of the so-called New International Economic Order (NIEO) i...

The Routledge Handbook of Global Development: Episode 3

28 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

To mark the launch of The Routledge Handbook of Global Development, we have recorded 3 podcasts with the core editorial team.In the final episode, cor...

The Routledge Handbook of Global Development: Episode 2

25 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this second podcast to mark the launch of The Routledge Handbook of Global Development, Professor Jonathan Rigg sits down with Dr Nicola Banks, the...

The Routledge Handbook of Global Development: Episode 1

24 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

To mark the launch of The Routledge Handbook of Global Development, we have recorded 3 podcasts with the core editorial team.In this first episode, co...

In Conversation: Shuaib Lwasa

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the latest episode of the GDI podcast Professor Shuaib Lwasa talks to Dr Seth Schindler. They discuss the recent COP in Glasgow, urban development,...

Why addressing global discontent is essential to build back better from Covid-19 | Alexander Pick

13 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Social unrest is on the rise once more. A surge in discontent in the wake of the global financial crisis was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic but ...

US-China rivalry in global trade governance | Kristen Hopewell

18 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Kristen Hopewell, Canada Research Chair in Global Policy, presents research from her new book analyzing the impact of the growing US-...

GDI & the SDGs: Creating sustainable livelihoods through group farming | Bina Agarwal

06 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this new mini-series three GDI academics talk to The University of Manchester’s Dr Nic Gowland about how their research is helping to deliver the...

GDI & the SDGs: Preventing cardiovascular disease through smart technologies | Gindo Tampubolon

30 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this new mini-series three GDI academics talk to The University of Manchester’s Dr Nic Gowland about how their research is helping to deliver the...

GDI & the SDGs: Gender equality in global value chains | Stephanie Barrientos

22 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this new mini-series three GDI academics talk to The University of Manchester’s Dr Nic Gowland about how their research is helping to deliver the...

Oil: from a lifetime of damage-limitation to outrage | David Little

10 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In the latest Global Development Institute podcast, Professor David Hulme interviews Dr David Little, an environmental consultant who has worked inter...

Uneven and combined (state) capitalism | Ilias Alami & Adam Dixon

14 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Jepson talks to Ilias Alami and Adam Dixon about their recent talk at the Global Development Institute. The talk blurb is below:The talk contribu...

How to fight inequality(and why that fight needs you) | Ben Phillips

31 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Inequality is the crisis of our time. The growing gap between a few at the top and the rest of society damages us all. No longer able to deny the cris...

Imperialism and the Developing World | Atul Kohli

12 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How did Western imperialism shape the developing world? In Imperialism and the Developing World, Atul Kohli tackles this question by analyzing British...

How women matter in making change with Sohela Nazneen

23 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Using case studies from research conducted in Nepal, Bangladesh and Uganda, this webinar will reveal how powerful women are critical actors in securin...

Introduction to the African Cities Research Consortium

05 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Catch up with our webinar which introduced the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC) and outlined how the ACRC and its international partners is p...

The politics of managing Covid-19 in China & India with Prerna Singh & Yanzhong Huang

25 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

India and China have responded very differently to the lives and livelihoods threats created by Covid-19 and they have experienced very different outc...

How politics shapes development with Sam Hickey

06 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What kind of politics help to secure inclusive development? After 9 years of research across 26 countries, summing up ESID findings hasn’t been simp...

In Conversation: Chrissie Wellington OBE

16 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this special podcast we sat down for a chat with Chrissie Wellington OBE, who was the 2020 recipient of The University of Manchester Outstanding Al...

Covid-19, garment workers & the development challenges in the Global South with Mark Anner

23 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Anner will share findings from his survey data on the impact of March 2020 order cancellations by major apparel brands and retailers with global ...

Political Economies of energy transition with Kathryn Hochstetler

11 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Wind power has expanded quickly in Brazil, while solar power lags there and both wind and solar power have struggled to take off in South Africa. Prof...

Africa- 75 years after the Manchester Pan-African Congress with Amani Abou-Zeid

27 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Amani Abou-Zeid of the African Union discusses Africa: 75 years after the Manchester Pan-African Congress. Her talk was part of a symposium to cele...

Covid-19 and the Future of Global Value Chains

03 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Covid-19 pandemic created a major shock to the global economy. The ramifications of this shock are reverberating through global value chains to re...

Covid-19 in Kenya’s informal settlements with Charity Mumbi & Jack Makau

17 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Charity Mumbi and Jack Makau work for Muungano wa Wanavijiji, a social movement of 'slum' residents and urban poor people in Kenya, affiliat...

Migration and development with Tanja Bastia and Ronald Skeldon

16 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this special podcast, we are lucky to be joined by the editors of the newly published Routledge Handbook of Migration and Development, Tanja Bastia...

In conversation: Alicya Mamo and Shamima Khonat founders of Electric Bazaar

04 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In the latest episode of our ‘In Conversation’ podcast we caught up with Shamima and Alicya; two Manchester Alumni whose fashion business was rece...

Deindustrialisation in the Global South with Seth Schindler & Tom Gillespie

04 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Seth Schindler & Tom Gillespie discuss their new research on deindustrialisation in the Global South. Seth and Tom have recently published an arti...

In conversation: Siobhan McGrath on forced labour and marketising anti-slavery

02 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Dr Rory Horner talked to Dr Siobhán McGrath about her research into forced labour and the marketising anti-slavery.Siobhán McGrath i...

In conversation: Jelmer Kamstra and Zoe Abrahamson discuss donor funding, NGOs and governance

18 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, GDI's Nicola Banks talks to Jelmer Kamstra and Zoe Abrahamson about the political role of NGOs and how donor funding can support...

In Conversation: Nicholas Jepson on China's impact on the Global South

03 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Nicholas Jepson talks to Seth Schindler about his new book ‘In China’s wake: how the commodity boom transformed development strat...

Lecture: Luis Eduardo Perez Murcia on migration, ageing and home

17 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Luis Eduardo Perez Murcia, University of Trento, recently visited the GDI to give a talk entitled 'I am afraid of dying without seeing my daughte...

Lecture: Kaxton Siu on Chinese migrant workers and employer domination

11 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Kaxton Siu recently visited the Global Development Institute to discuss his new forthcoming book 'Chinese Migrant Workers and Employer Domination...

Lecture: Rachel Glennerster on Can technology solve global poverty?

31 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this talk, Dr Glennerster discusses how technology has driven improvements in income and health in poor countries, why there is too little innovati...

In conversation: Raquel Rolnik on the financialisation of housing

15 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Raquel Rolnik talked to Tom Gillespie and Isaac Rose about the financialisation of housing and her new book 'Urban Warfare: hou...

In conversation: Rhys Jenkins discusses China’s economic involvement in the Global South

08 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Rhys Jenkins talks to GDI Researcher Dr Nick Jepson about China’s growing economic involvement in Africa and Latin America and his book &a...

Lecture: Stephanie Barrientos on gender & work: capturing the gains in Global Value Chains

26 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Stephanie Barrientos discusses her new book 'Gender and Work: Capturing the Gains in Global Value Chains'Building on years of deta...

In conversation: Laila Iskander on recycling & informal settlements

28 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Diana Mitlin talks to former Egyptian Minister Laila Iskander about her career, recycling and informal settlements in Egypt.Laila Isk...

Lecture: Bina Agarwal on agrarian crises, institutional innovation and gender

21 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Global Development Institute and the Post Crash Economics Society is pleased to host Prof Bina Agarwal part of the GDI Lecture Series, talking abo...

Lecture: Franklin Obeng-Odoom on Property, institutions, and social stratification in Africa

11 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Global Development Institute is pleased to present Prof Franklin Obeng-Odoom, University of Helsinki, talking about: Property, institutions, and s...

Lecture: Katherine Brickell on blood bricks: modern slavery & climate change in Cambodia

05 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Global Development Institute is pleased to present Prof Kate Brickell, Royal Holloway, University of London, talking about: Blood Bricks: Untold S...

In conversation: Armando Barrientos on social assistance

22 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Chris Jordan, GDI’s Communications & impact Manager, talks to social assistance expert Professor Armando Barrientos. They discus...

Lecture: Stephan Haggard on Developmental states

08 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Listen to our lecture from Professor Stephan Haggard who discussed development states.The concept of the developmental state emerged to explain the ra...

Lecture: Helen Clark on Women-Equality-Power

03 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Rt. Hon Helen Clark, former Administrator of UNDP and former Prime Minister of New Zealand presents the Global Development Institute Annual Lecture. H...

In conversation: Helen Clark and Uma Kothari

22 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

As part of her visit to the Global Development Institute Rt Hon Helen Clark sat down with Prof Uma Kothari to discuss her career, the UN, Hillary Clin...

In conversation: Radically rethinking aid with Jonathan Glennie & Pablo Yanguas

13 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We have been taught to understand aid as a temporary injection of support for struggling countries. This is wrong. It should be seen as a permanent fi...

Lecture: Yuen Yuen Ang on how the west got China wrong

08 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Yuen Yuen Ang, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Michigan delivers the Adrian Leftwich Memorial Lecture. For decades, W...

Lecture: Emma Mawdsley on the Southernisation of Development

17 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Global Development Institute Lecture Series is pleased to present Dr Emma Mawdsley, Reader in Human Geography and Fellow of Newnham College to dis...

Lecture: Nic Cheeseman on how to rig an election (and get away with it)

15 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Contrary to what is commonly believed, authoritarian leaders who agree to hold elections are generally able to remain in power longer than autocrats w...

Lecture: Indrajit Roy on democratic deepening in an Indian state

10 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Global Development Institute is pleased to present Dr Indrajit Roy, Department of Politics, the University of York to discuss "Dignifying dev...

In conversation: SDGs three years on with David Hulme and Jennifer O'Brien

18 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

As the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly convenes to review the world's three year progress against the Sustainable Development Goals, Jenn...

In conversation: Farmer-led irrigation with Phil Woodhouse & Dan Brockington

02 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Phil Woodhouse and Dan Brockington discuss their research project Studying African Farmer-led Irrigation.The project brings together social science re...

Rising Powers Special: The BRICs uncovered

06 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Sackur speaks to Global Development Institute academics and other leading thinkers about the state of the BRIC economies today and the issues ...

In conversation: The future of development studies

30 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

To celebrate the end of the academic year we brought together leading academics from the Global Development Institute in a lively session. Fielding qu...

Rising Powers Special: Stephen Sackur interviews Russian economist Sergei Guriev

24 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week BBC Hardtalk’s Stephen Sackur interviews leading Russian economist Sergei Guriev, for the latest in the Rising Powers and Interdependent F...