Wendy Carlin

Discover the historical roots of capitalism through Enlightenment thinkers like Spinoza and Smith. Explore the shift in mindset towards wealth accumulation, liberalism, and democracy. Unveil Adam Smith's complex philosophy beyond the 'invisible hand,' advocating for fair markets and government intervention. Dive into the evolution of capitalism through firms and the dual nature of innovation and inequality.

What are banks and what do they do with our money? Tim Harford explains where your money goes when you put it in a bank account and reveals that your bank might actually be a shadow bank. Economic historian Victoria Bateman tells the story of Priscilla Wakefield, one of Britain's forgotten female economists, who created the first saving bank for working-class women in a Tottenham grammar school. Everything you need to know about the economy and what it means for you. This podcast will cut through the jargon to bring you clarity and ensure you finally understand all those complicated terms and phrases you hear on the news. Inflation, GDP, Interest rates, and bonds, Tim Harford and friends explain them all. We’ll ensure you understand what’s going on today, why your shopping is getting more expensive or why your pay doesn’t cover your bills. We’ll also bring you surprising histories, from the war-hungry kings who have shaped how things are counted today to the greedy merchants flooding Spain with silver coins. So if your eyes usually glaze over when someone says ‘cutting taxes stimulates growth’, fear no more, we’ve got you covered.Guest: Professor Wendy Carlin, University College London and Director of CORE Econ (Curriculum Open-access Resources in Economics)Producer: Phoebe KeaneResearchers: Drew Hyndman and Marianna BrainEditor: Clare FordhamTheme music: Don’t Fret, Beats Fresh MusicA BBC Long Form Audio Production for BBC Radio 4

Who lends the government money and why? And what exactly does the stock market do? All those people in the movies shouting at the screens are buying and selling something, but what? Tim Harford explains why government debt isn’t always a bad thing and why the prices agreed in a room in London affect the prices you pay for petrol and food. Economic Historian Victoria Bateman tells the story of the East India Company, one of the first companies to ask for money and in return, give people a share of their profits. Everything you need to know about the economy and what it means for you. This podcast will cut through the jargon to bring you clarity and ensure you finally understand all those complicated terms and phrases you hear on the news. Inflation, GDP, Interest rates, and bonds, Tim Harford and friends explain them all. We’ll ensure you understand what’s going on today, why your shopping is getting more expensive or why your pay doesn’t cover your bills. We’ll also bring you surprising histories, from the war-hungry kings who have shaped how things are counted today to the greedy merchants flooding Spain with silver coins. So if your eyes usually glaze over when someone says ‘cutting taxes stimulates growth’, fear no more, we’ve got you covered.Guest: Professor Wendy Carlin, University College London and Director of CORE Econ (Curriculum Open-access Resources in Economics).Producer: Phoebe KeaneResearchers: Drew Hyndman and Marianna BrainEditor: Clare FordhamTheme music: Don’t Fret, Beats Fresh MusicA BBC Radio Current Affairs Production for BBC Radio 4

In this engaging discussion, Dame Wendy Carlin, a Professor of Economics at UCL and co-founder of the CORE Project, explores the future of economics education amid the rise of AI. She highlights how CORE transforms traditional teaching by focusing on real-world applications and critical thinking. Wendy emphasizes the need to develop skills in ambiguity and independent judgment, which AI cannot replace. She also addresses employer concerns about graduates' soft skills and shares innovative ideas for integrating AI as a cognitive partner in learning.

Wendy Carlin, a Professor at University College London and director of the CORE project, teams up with Suresh Naidu, a Columbia University economist, to transform how we learn economics. They discuss the failures of traditional curricula post-2008 crisis and highlight their problem-driven approach that addresses inequality, climate change, and innovation. Students engaged with CORE's methods show more interest and understanding compared to standard textbooks. Their passionate insights challenge the outdated economic perspectives taught in many classrooms.