Challenging Economic Assumptions (Gerry McCartney and Carmel Williams )

In this episode Gerry and Carmel talk with Philip Heimberger, an economist from the Vienna Institute for International Economic studies. As a lead researcher utilizing meta-analysis within the field of economics, Philip uncovers some of the inconsistencies across so-called 'evidence-based' theories which have been used to justify national and regional policy decisions across the world.

Philip holds a PhD in economics from the Vienna University of Economics and Business and has published some incredible research papers that question whether public debt affects economic growth and if employment protection affects unemployment. His research offers some much needed reflection on the often-unquestioned economic models and theories that are still leant on today.

This podcast is supported by ⁠⁠The University of Glasgow ⁠⁠and the ⁠⁠Centre for Health in All Policies Research Translation. ⁠⁠

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In this episode Gerry and Carmel talk to Mohsen Javdani, an Associate Professor from the Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. Offering a critical lens to the traditional or neoclassical economic approaches, Mohsen reveals the ideological biases which permeate the discourse and how mainstream economics is ill-equipped to address the complex challenges of our societies.

Mohsen has journeyed from mainstream economics to become a researcher and advocate for economic equality, specifically of the labour market and the discrimination of women, migrants and ethnic minorities. His published research has uncovered evident ideological biases among economists who claim to be unbiased and value-free.

This podcast is supported by ⁠The University of Glasgow ⁠and the ⁠Centre for Health in All Policies Research Translation. ⁠

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In this episode, Gerry talks to Nicki Hutley, a highly experience economist, on the evolution of economic thinking specific to climate policy and cost-benefit analysis. They discuss the realities and limitations of economic definitions along with the efforts required to compliment government processes whilst trying to consult on climate policy.

Nicki Hutley is a highly experienced economist, with broad-based expertise in both macroeconomics and microeconomic policy, gained over more than three decades in financial and investment markets and in economic consulting.  After many years in the corporate world, including most recently as a partner with Deloitte Access Economics, Nicki is now an independent economist, advising government, business and not-for-profits on a wide range of policy issues, but with a focus on social and environmental impact. She is also a Councillor on the Climate Council. She is a frequent commentator in the media regularly appearing on the Drum and contributing to the Guardian.

This podcast is supported by ⁠⁠The University of Glasgow ⁠⁠and the ⁠⁠Centre for Health in All Policies Research Translation. ⁠⁠

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In this episode Gerry and Carmel talk to Sarah McKinley of the Democracy Collaborative. Sarah sheds light on Community Wealth Building, an alternative economic system approach being explored in local communities around the world and how it has been improving peoples overall wellbeing.

Sarah McKinley, the Director of Community Wealth Building Programs from the Democracy Collaborative, a not for profit trans-Atlantic think-do tank striving to build a democratic economy through political and economic system change. Her work is a significant driver of change in local communities, creating alternative economic and community systems which have shown to improve the quality of peoples overall wellbeing.

This podcast is supported by ⁠The University of Glasgow ⁠and the ⁠Centre for Health in All Policies Research Translation. ⁠

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In this episode Gerry and Carmel talk to Matthias Schmelzer, an economic historian, social theorist and climate activist. Reflecting on the concept of growth and its history, Matthias unpacks the deliberate decisions of the past which have lead us to our economic system today and explores the concept of degrowth as an alternative path.

Matthias is a post-doctoral researcher at the Friedrich-Schiller University Jena and is active in numerous social-ecological networks and movements. He is the author of two books, “The Hegemony of Growth: The OECD and the Making of the Economic Growth Paradigm” and “The Future is Degrowth: A world beyond Capitalism."

This podcast is supported by ⁠The University of Glasgow ⁠and the ⁠Centre for Health in All Policies Research Translation. ⁠

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In this episode Gerry and Carmel talk with Dr. Katherine Trebeck, a political economist, writer and leading advocate for economic system change. Challenging the role of economic growth and GDP as a measure for success, Dr. Trebeck leads us to think about alternatives to our systems and what the driving purposes of government and economies should be.

Katherine is the co-founder of the ⁠Wellbeing Economy Alliance,⁠ a writer in residence at the University of Edinburgh, a strategic adviser to Australia's ⁠Centre for Policy Development ⁠and the co-author of a fantastic book ⁠"The Economics of Arrival: Ideas for a Grown Up Economy."⁠

This podcast is supported by ⁠The University of Glasgow ⁠and the ⁠Centre for Health in All Policies Research Translation. ⁠

Feel free to follow us and share our podcast online and with anyone you think will enjoy it!