Rethink Podcast
Professor Ben Ansell asks some of the world's sharpest minds about the latest thinking, and what it might mean for policy and society.
Episodes to download
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Rethink... modern monarchy
Thu 4 Jun 2026
"Neo-royalism" and why the world's newest monarchies may not be royal at all.
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Rethink... authenticity
Thu 5 Feb 2026
Is authenticity in the modern age in the eye of the beholder?
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Rethink... the promise of AI
Thu 29 Jan 2026
If you look online, AI now seems to be everywhere - but what is it for?
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Rethink... regeneration
Thu 22 Jan 2026
With building and land costs high can we avoid gentrification when reviving urban areas?
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Rethink...middle age
Thu 15 Jan 2026
People are living longer and settling down later. Should we rethink middle age?
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Rethink... nightlife
Thu 2 Oct 2025
The UK's nightlife sector is on its knees, so can - and should - it be saved?
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Rethink... winners and losers
Thu 25 Sep 2025
Why understanding zero-sum thinking can help explain modern politics and attitudes.
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Rethink: should we stop flying?
Thu 18 Sep 2025
Should we take individual responsibility for the polluting effects of aviation?
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Rethink: how can flying be less polluting?
Thu 11 Sep 2025
Aviation is fiendishly difficult to decarbonise - but how can it be made cleaner?
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Rethink...the meaning of terrorism
Thu 4 Sep 2025
Is the word 'terrorism' overused, and what do we mean when we use it?
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Rethink... summer holidays
Mon 30 Jun 2025
In an age of climate change and over-tourism, what's the future for our summer holidays?
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Rethink... the UK's relationship with China
Thu 19 Jun 2025
Should the UK seek closer diplomatic and trade links with China?
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Rethink... productivity
Thu 12 Jun 2025
What are the factors behind the UK’s chronically weak productivity growth?
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Rethink...the civil service
Thu 5 Jun 2025
Can the civil service be reformed or is it simply too old and unwieldy?
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Rethink...social housing
Thu 29 May 2025
What's stopping the UK from building the social housing we need?
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Rethink... the global economy
Thu 20 Feb 2025
Forget tariffs, what are the systems and raw materials that underpin the global economy?
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Rethink...medical data
Thu 13 Feb 2025
The PM says the NHS is well placed for an AI revolution in healthcare - but is it?
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Rethink... crime prevention
Thu 6 Feb 2025
40% of English and Welsh crimes went unsolved in 2024. So is prevention better than cure?
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Rethink: is big tech stealing your life?
Thu 30 Jan 2025
How is our relationship with big tech changing?
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Rethink… political labels
Thu 16 Jan 2025
Is British politics today too complicated to be understood in terms of left and right?
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Rethink... energy
Thu 31 Oct 2024
How can the UK secure cheap, reliable and renewable power for our future needs?
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Rethink...care
Thu 24 Oct 2024
How can we make the care system work better for everybody - and how should we pay for it?
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Rethink...pricing
Thu 17 Oct 2024
Dynamic, drip and personalised pricing are now common - but are they fair?
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Rethink... immigration
Thu 10 Oct 2024
Is the UK more divided than ever over immigration, or are there areas of consensus?
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Rethink... wealth
Thu 3 Oct 2024
Most of us would love to be wealthy - but is it possible to be too rich?
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Rethink... voting
Thu 26 Sep 2024
How can we make every vote count? Quadratic voting could be a possible solution.
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Rethink: Is the internet getting worse?
Thu 19 Sep 2024
How can we get a better internet for everyone?
Discover The Open University’s interactive guide on Bias
Explore how the ideas in this series are making us rethink our future.
Why we need to Rethink just about everything...
Influential thinkers will suggest post-Covid-19 opportunities to effect lasting change.
