UCL Uncovering Politics

Feb 13 2025 130 ep. 35 mins 112

UCL Uncovering Politics Podcast artwork

The podcast of the Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy at University College London (UCL). Through this podcast we explore key themes of contemporary politics and spotlight some of the fantastic research that takes place within our department.

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AI and Public Services

Feb 13 2025 42 mins

This week we’re looking at AI and public services. How far could AI tools help to tackle stagnant public sector productivity? What dangers are associated with AI adoption? And how can these dangers be addressed?

When does religion beget violence?

Feb 06 2025 34 mins

This week we’re exploring the relationship between religion and violence. What are the circumstances in which organisations motivated by religious ideas resort to violent methods? And how can such violence best be prevented?

The Politics of Parliamentary Reform

Jan 30 2025 34 mins

This week we’re looking at the politics of parliamentary reform. Parliament is the central institution of UK democracy yet often it appears subordinate to government. Why does that matter? How did it come about? And are there any lessons for the possibility of reform in the future?

Improving Election Debates: Evidence from Liberia

Jan 23 2025 36 mins

This week we’re looking at how to improve the discourse of election campaigns. In settings where votes are often traded for services, how can competition be nudged to focus more on policies designed to serve the public at large?

Prisons and Proportional Punishment

Jan 16 2025 29 mins

This week we’re talking about punishment and individual circumstances: could it be fair if two people, convicted of the same crime, get different sentences?

Are There Limits On Autocratic Power?

Dec 19 2024 39 mins

This week we’re looking at limits on the power of authoritarian rulers. We often suppose that autocrats are free from constraints, but is that true? If not, what limits do they face, where do these come from, and what are the implications for how authoritarian states function?

The Power of the American Presidency

Dec 05 2024 49 mins

This week we’re looking at the power of the American presidency. With Donald Trump about to return to the White House, we ask what powers will he hold? What constraints will he face? And just what will he be able to do in office?

Politicising Memory: Evidence from Ukraine

Nov 28 2024 34 mins

This week we’re looking at the politicisation of memory. In particular, how do political identities in the present shape the way the past is remembered? And what implications does that have for politics and policy?

Lies, politicians, and social media: Should we fact check politicians?

Nov 21 2024 30 mins

This week we are looking at politician's speech on social media. Should social media platforms act when the things they say are wrong?

Dissecting the 2024 US Election

Nov 14 2024 35 mins

This week we’re looking at the elections in the United States. Donald Trump has won; the Democrats have been comprehensively defeated. What explains the result? And what are the implications – for the US and the wider world?