

Rethink
BBC Sounds
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
Mentioned books

Jan 5, 2023 • 43min
Green technology and innovation
Will technology and innovation slow down or even reverse climate change? Amol Rajan looks at some of the existing innovations that could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and also at some of those still being developed. He asks whether we're relying too much on the promise of technology that either isn’t ready yet or can’t work at scale. Graihagh Jackson, presenter of the BBC podcast ‘The Climate Question’ is with Amol alongside guests the former President of Kiribati Anote Tong, James Arbib, Aoife O’Leary and Dr Jan Rosenow.Producers Nick Holland and Marianna Brain
Sound design Graham Puddifoot
Editor Lizzi Watson
Production coordinators Siobhan Reed, Helena Warwick-Cross and Sophie Hill

Jan 4, 2023 • 43min
Green economy, money and prosperity
Amol Rajan explores what switching to a green economy may mean for the way we live and work and whether it's compatible with financial growth. If, for the sake of the planet we need to cut production, consumption and perhaps profit, then how will we pay for the essential services we need in the future? There are some difficult choices to make that sound particularly tough amid a cost-of-living crisis. However, despite all the difficulties, there are those who foresee a cleaner, fairer and more enriching world. Graihagh Jackson, presenter of the BBC podcast ‘The Climate Question’ is with Amol Rajan alongside guests Professor Tim Jackson, Bernice Lee, Najma Mohamed and Dr Rhian-Mari Thomas Producers Nick Holland and Marianna Brain
Sound design Graham Puddifoot
Editor Lizzi Watson
Production co-ordinators Siobhan Reed, Sophie Hill, Helena Warwick-Cross

Jan 3, 2023 • 43min
Behaviour and communication
What personal lifestyle habits are we prepared to give up to stop global warming and who bears responsibility for changing our behaviour? Is it the state or the individual? Amol Rajan discusses why we continue to live the way we do, despite knowing the planet is heating up. Is it ignorance or denial? Perhaps the problems is with the way we talk about climate change. If so, then how does the discourse need to change?Graihagh Jackson, presenter of the BBC podcast ‘The Climate Question’ is with Amol Rajan alongside guests Tom Bailey, Meghan Kennedy-Woodard and George Marshall.Producers Nick Holland and Marianna Brain
Sound design Graham Puddifoot
Editor Lizzi Watson
Production Coordinators Siobhan Reed, Sophie Hill, Helena Warwick-Cross

13 snips
Jan 2, 2023 • 43min
Pledges and progress
In the first programme in this series Amol Rajan and guests examine the pledges that have been made on climate change and how far we have gone towards meeting them. What has worked to reduce greenhouse gasses and what’s not working, including the role of COP. Is the commitment to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees the right one?Graihagh Jackson, presenter of the BBC podcast ‘The Climate Question’ is with Amol, alongside guests Professor Saleemul Huq, Mikaela Loach, Emeritus Professor Bill McGuire and Sarah BellProducers Nick Holland & Marianna Brain
Sound design Graham Puddifoot
Editor Lizzi Watson
Production Coordinators Siobhan Reed, Helena Warwick-Cross and Sophie Hill

20 snips
Jan 7, 2022 • 43min
Getting ready for the 100-year life
Amol Rajan and his guests look for some answers on how to tackle the challenges thrown up by demographic change. From the pressure put on governments by burgeoning populations of young people, to the tactics best adopted by those of us planning to live to a hundred.GUESTSCamilla Cavendish, former Director of Policy for Prime Minister David Cameron, Financial Times columnist and author of 'Extra Time: 10 Lessons for an Ageing World'Professor Andrew Scott, Professor of Economics at London Business School and author of 'The 100-Year Life - Living and Working in an Age of Longevity'Dr Eliza Filby writer and historianProfessor Ian Goldin, Professor of Globalisation and Development at the University of Oxford and author of 'Is the Planet Full?'Presenter: Amol Rajan
Producer: Lucinda Borrell
Editor: Kirsty Reid

Jan 6, 2022 • 43min
What Japan can teach us
Amol Rajan and his guests look at Japan where almost a third of the population is aged 65 or over. What does that mean for Japan's economy, and its future? And what can other ageing countries learn from its experiences so far?GUESTSKathy Matsui, partner at venture capital fund MPowerCelia Hatton, Asia-Pacific Editor for the BBCBill Emmott, Chairman of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, former Editor of the EconomistNoreena Hertz economist and author of 'The Lonely Century'Presenter: Amol Rajan
Producer: Lucinda Borrell
Editor: Kirsty Reid

Jan 5, 2022 • 43min
Living in a young country
In episode three of the series, Amol Rajan is joined by guests from Africa and the Middle East to look at the challenges and opportunities faced by countries with rapidly growing young populations. Will this mean demographic dividend or disaster for states like Nigeria?
GUESTS
Dr Wangui Kimari, Junior Research Fellow, Institute for Humanities in Africa at the University of Cape Town
Cheta Nwanze, Lead Partner at SBM Intelligence
Meray Maddah, Research Assistant, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
Dr. Paul Morland, Author of ‘The Human Tide: How Population Shaped the Modern World’
Presenter: Amol Rajan
Producer: Ayeisha Thomas-Smith
Editor: Kirsty Reid

Jan 4, 2022 • 42min
The Great British Baby Bust
Amol Rajan and guests look at why British birth rates have declined so much. Can we - should we - try to reverse this and how will we pay for the health and care needs of our growing elderly population?
GUESTS
Prof Sarah Harper, Director and Clore Professor of Gerontology, Oxford Institute of Population Ageing
Miatta Fahnbulleh, CEO, New Economics Foundation
Robert Colvile, Director, Centre for Policy Studies
David Runciman - Professor of Politics, University of Cambridge
Presenter: Amol Rajan
Producer: Rob Walker
Editor: Kirsty Reid

Jan 3, 2022 • 43min
Is demography destiny?
In a new five-part Rethink series, Amol Rajan and guests challenge some of our long-held assumptions about population change. Are there really too many people in the world - or will some countries actually end up with too few?
GUESTS
Rt Hon. Lord David Willets, President of the Advisory Council and Intergenerational Centre of the Resolution Foundation
Professor Anna Rotkirch, Director, Population Research Institute, Väestöliitto, Finland
Professor Ian Goldin, Professor of Globalisation and Development at the University of Oxford
Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director, Population Foundation of India
Presenter: Amol Rajan
Producer: Rob Walker
Editor: Kirsty Reid

Jul 9, 2021 • 42min
Technology and Education
During the pandemic many schools and universities relied on virtual lessons using video software. In the final programme of this Rethink on Education, we look to the future and ask what is the role of technology in education? Will students be taught virtually or will online resources only be used to enhance the classroom experience? Amol Rajan and guests discuss.GUESTS:Alex Beard, Author, Natural Born LearnersMatt Hood, Founder, Oak National AcademyDilshad Sheikh, Dean of the Business School, Arden UniversityDr. Elizabeth Gemmill, Department for Continuing Education, Oxford UniversityPresenter: Amol Rajan
Producer: Julie Ball
Editor: Kirsty Reid