Podcast · Critical Conversations for a Changing World
IUC Talks
A podcast from the International University College of Turin bringing together scholars,
practitioners and activists to discuss law, political economy and social struggles
in a changing world.
IUC Talks is designed as a seminar in video form: every conversation starts from a
concrete controversy or research question and opens it up to multiple perspectives.
Use the list below to quickly reach individual episodes. More entries can be added here
as new conversations are recorded.
Podcast list
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Episode 4 — The NGO Illusion: A Critical Perspective
YouTube
Interviewer: LuqmanGuest: Professor Nidhi Srinivas
In this fourth episode, Luqman, IUC student, interviews Professor Nidhi Srinivas, who critically explores with interdisciplinary approach management studies, philosophy, and justice in terms of efficacy and empowerment, with a perspective of the pivotal and shifting role NGOs play as agents of development and disseminators of management doctrines, especially in moments of capitalist crisis What would the world and its South look like if scholars and activists were 'against NGOs,' challenging common sense about them? Professor Srinivas looks into the matter through the lens of Gramscian concepts that allow him to see how civil society organizations were enlisted in capitalist-driven “development” as non-state technocratic actors.
Episode 3 — Class Conflict, Geography and Economics
YouTube
Interviewer: CharlieGuest: Dash Anderson
In the third episode of the IUC Talks, Charlie sits down with Dash Anderson, an IUC Alumnus who now lectures in our master program in Comparative Law, Economics, and Finance.
Triggered by Charlie's question on the difference between economics and geography, the discussion focuses on the rural/urban divide in the world, which has been Dash's research preoccupation in recent years.
Episode 2 — Food, Identity and Justice
YouTube
Interviewer: HelenGuest: Professor Nora McKeon
In this second episode of the IUC Talks, Helen sits down with high-profile scholar and activist Professor Nora McKeon. Our conversation explores how food is not just about nutrition, but also about identity, politics, economics, and ultimately about justice. We also reflect on whether there are possible alternatives to the current global system of food governance.
Episode 1 — Profits, Corporations and Globalization
YouTube
Interviewer: SarahGuest: Professor Jan Toporowski
In this first episode of the IUC Talks, Sarah sits down with high-profile economist Professor Jan Toporowski. Our conversation explores how corporations actually generate profits in contemporary economies, touching on where profits come from, how changes in interest rates affect corporate outcomes, and how global supply chains and exports shape profitability. We also reflect on whether globalization ultimately increases or decreases profitability, bringing these themes together in a broader discussion about how today's economic systems function.