Megan Davis, Cambridge Vice-Chancellor, Kate Lister on banning partners from social events
Jul 23, 2024
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Guests Megan Davis and Kate Lister talk about whistleblowing on financial crime and banning partners from social events. Prof Deborah Prentice reflects on her time as Cambridge Vice-Chancellor. Topics include friendship dynamics, bringing partners to social gatherings, the novel 'Bay of Thieves,' and the challenges of whistleblowing in financial firms.
Whistleblowers like Megan Davis face challenges and retaliation, highlighting the need for supportive structures.
Academic Kate Lister suggests keeping friendships separate from romantic relationships to maintain their integrity.
Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Prof Deborah Prentice emphasizes the importance of international students in UK higher education and the need for diverse discussions on free speech.
Deep dives
Challenges with Funding in UK Higher Education
UK universities face financial challenges, with a warning that a funding crisis could lead to catastrophic consequences without government intervention. Cambridge University's Vice Chancellor highlights the need for a sector-wide conversation to address the financial strains, emphasizing the importance of understanding and planning to uphold the strength and quality of higher education institutions.
Importance of International Student Engagement
Cambridge University's Vice Chancellor applauds Labour's support for international students, emphasizing the value they bring to UK higher education. She stresses the need for universities to welcome international students, maintain post-study work visas, and recognize the contributions and economic impact of these students to the higher education sector.
Nurturing Free Speech Forums on Campus
The Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University discusses the nuances of free speech in the UK, highlighting the differences from the US context. She mentions creating public forums for contentious discussions on topics like assisted dying and democracy, encouraging diverse voices and viewpoints within a regulated framework.
Influence of Female Whistleblowers
Drawing from her personal experience, Megan Davis, a former whistleblower turned novelist, emphasizes the challenges faced by female whistleblowers and the prevalence of retaliation they encounter. She explores the complexities of whistleblowing decisions and the need for supportive structures to protect and incentivize truth-tellers.
Empowering International Students and Philanthropy
The discussion highlights the significance of international students and philanthropy in sustaining universities financially. Efforts to encourage philanthropic contributions and support international student programs are seen as vital components in ensuring the financial stability and academic excellence of higher education institutions.
What makes women become whistleblowers? And what happens after they’ve brought wrongdoing to light? Nuala McGovern talks to lawyer-turned-author Megan Davis about her experience blowing the whistle on financial crime, how it inspired writing her new thriller Bay of Thieves, and how a whistle-blower can make the perfect character for crime fiction.
When is it socially acceptable to bring your partner to hang out with your friends? According to academic and writer Kate Lister the answer is never. In her recent i Paper column, Kate explains that the presence of a partner alters the dynamic, and that friendships ought to be safe havens from romantic relationships. While some couples prefer to socialise together, Kate argues that time and effort should be invested into individual friendships. Kate joins Nuala for a frank discussion on the murky friendship politics of bringing your partner to lunch.
It’s been just over a year now since the University of Cambridge appointed its first American vice-chancellor, Professor Deborah Prentice. Before she moved to Cambridge, she was provost at Princeton, where she spent 34 years of her academic career as a psychologist specialising in the study of social norms that govern human behaviour, including gender stereotypes. She joins Nuala to reflect on what she has learnt since arriving in the post.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Laura Northedge
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