Campus talks: The secrets of effective policy engagement - from two academics who have worked in government

Campus talks: The secrets of effective policy engagement - from two academics who have worked in government

Author: Campus by Times Higher Education May 14, 2025 Duration: 57:10
Hear from two academic policy experts, one in the UK and one in the US, who discuss the most effective ways that researchers can share their expertise with politicians and civil servants. We speak to: Michael Sanders is a professor of public policy at Kings College London and director of the School for Government. In addition to his academic career, he has worked in government as chief scientist on the Behavioural Insights Team and was the founding chief executive of What Works for Children’s Social Care. David Garcia is a professor with Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University. Prior to joining ASU, he helped found the Arizona Center for Public Policy - ThinkAZ, and he was worked as an associate superintendent and a director of research and policy with Arizona Department of Education. He is also a former legislative staffer with the Arizona State Senate and was the 2018 Democratic candidate for governor of Arizona. For more advice and insight on how best to engage policymakers with your research, take a look at our latest spotlight: An academics' guide to policy impact.

What does it really take to run a modern university? Campus Talks by Times Higher Education moves beyond the headlines and policy papers to explore the human stories and practical challenges shaping colleges and universities today. Each episode features candid conversations with the academics, administrators, and staff on the front lines, offering a ground-level view of the forces transforming education globally. You’ll hear nuanced discussions about reinventing teaching methods, navigating the complexities of international partnerships, pursuing meaningful research, and building institutions that are both excellent and sustainable. This isn’t a series of abstract lectures; it’s a forum for genuine problem-solving and shared experience. The podcast draws on the extensive network and editorial expertise of its host, Campus by Times Higher Education, to connect listeners with diverse voices from campuses worldwide. Whether you’re a faculty member, a university leader, or simply fascinated by the inner workings of higher education, these dialogues provide actionable insights and a deeper understanding of the academy’s evolving role in society. Tune in for thoughtful analysis that respects the complexity of the issues while searching for tangible solutions.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Campus Talks by Times Higher Education
Podcast Episodes
Campus: How to deal with the legacy of empire in higher education [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:24
Decolonisation has become a lightning rod for critics who accuse universities and colleges of being full of liberal ideologues, with a number of pundits up in arms about efforts to decolonise reading lists and the curric…
Campus: How to navigate higher education as a woman of colour [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:48
For international women's day, we spoke with two academics of colour about their experiences of being minority women in academia. Henrika McCoy is the Ruby Lee Piester Centennial Fellow in Services to Children and Famili…
THE Campus: Academia and activism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:59
Academia and activism might seem like a natural pair. Both require grit, persistence and a passionate commitment to a cause. However doing social justice work is often at the sacrifice of other tasks that count towards c…
THE Campus: What makes a good higher education leader? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:24
Universities have been around for a millennium, however their modern iteration - and the people who lead them - are somewhat different to their medieval European ancestors. Over the centuries, institutions have dealt wit…
THE Campus: Is AI in higher education worth the hype? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:19
Artificial intelligence has a lot of potential for higher education. It can automate onerous repetitive tasks for teachers, help researchers leapfrog mountains of data crunching and make higher education more accessible…
THE Campus: Teaching 101 advice from your peers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:28
Even the most experienced faculty member could benefit from teaching advice from their peers. In this episode of the THE Campus podcast, we feature short tips from university educators around the world to create a mini t…
THE Campus: How can universities help tackle misinformation? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:36
Education is often offered as a solution to tackling misinformation, particularly training in critical thinking and analytical skills. But what does that actually look like in the day to day running of a university? Or f…