The Power of Public Value Podcast
The Power of Public Value, a podcast brought to you by Cardiff Business School, uncovers how to change our society and economy for the benefit of current and future generations.
We explore how to go beyond profit, to bring humanity, sustainability, generosity, and innovation to the business sector.
In each episode, a guest shares their powerful public value story with host, Professor Peter Wells, Pro Dean of Public Value at Cardiff Business School.
Hear how they interpret, define, and represent the school’s public value principles, guided by their own personal motivations, values, and research interests.
"The episodes show how we really place importance on the ethos of public value as a business school. It has been fascinating to have deep and meaningful conversations with our faculty and professional services colleagues about their inspiring research, teaching and engagement initiatives. We have addressed the importance of challenging the status quo in business to leave a positive impact on the world."
Watch on YouTube/ listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Series one
Episode 1: Creating societal change – Dr Deborah Hann
In the inaugural episode of our series, host Peter is in conversation with Dr Deborah Hann. Their discussion revolves around creating public value through research and teaching, leading to positive real-world change.
Deborah, a Reader in Employment Relations, sheds light on how her work has driven genuine societal impact. They focus on her research into the Living Wage and active engagement with Cardiff’s local communities.
Episode 2: The activist academic: reshaping the fashion industry – Dr Hakan Karaosman
In this episode, Peter and Dr Hakan Karaosman explore the intriguing concept of an activist academic and discuss how academia can serve as a catalyst for social and environmental change.
Hakan, a Lecturer in Supply Chain Management, shares his research into climate action and social justice in fashion supply chains. They also unpack the core values and motivations behind Hakan’s people-centred research and talk about how to measure success.
Episode 3: Sustainable procurement and future generations – Professor Jane Lynch
In episode 3, Professor Jane Lynch and Peter discuss embedding sustainability into procurement practices for the benefit of current and future generations.
They explore Jane’s role as the Director of the Centre of Public Value Procurement at Cardiff Business School. The conversation also touches upon the importance of collaboration and why we should challenge where we buy things from.
Episode 4: Materialistic values, happiness, and over-consumption – Dr Olaya Moldes Andres
Join us for this thought-provoking episode where Peter delves into conversation with Dr Olaya Moldes Andres, discussing her research on materialistic values and over-consumption.
As a Lecturer in Marketing and Strategy, Olaya tells us about her background in psychology and sheds light on the synergies between business and psychology. Also explored are topics such as consumerism, using wellbeing as a way to sell products, and how to measure happiness.
Episode 5: Hedgehogs, repurposing furniture and community engagement – Julia Leath
In episode 5, Peter is in conversation with Julia Leath, the Deputy Facilities Manager at Cardiff Business School, exploring how she weaves public value into her role.
Contributing positively to the surrounding community (including the local wildlife!), their discussion revolves around initiatives such as the Hedgehog Friendly Campus project, repurposing furniture, and fostering community engagement.
Episode 6: Calvin’s hypothesis: the future trajectory of public value - Professor Calvin Jones
In the final episode of the series, Peter is in conversation with Professor of Economics, Calvin Jones, where they unpack how Calvin helped to shape the public value narrative of Cardiff Business School.
As their conversation progresses, Calvin hypothesises the future trajectory of public value. He shares his personal view on what business schools could do next to further advance, and demonstrate, their commitment to public value and its evolution. This includes suggestions for disrupting existing HE models, revisiting international recruitment approaches, and other ways in which, from his perspective, academia could meet the challenge of creating a more sustainable world.
Series two
Episode 1: Uncovering modern slavery in global supply chains - Dr Maryam Lotfi
How many engineering degrees do you need to become an expert on modern slavery? In the first episode of our new series, Peter speaks with Dr Maryam Lotfi, Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Supply Chain Management, about her background and the compassion driving her work on the hidden realities in global supply chains.
She also shares how her research shapes her teaching and role in establishing the Modern Slavery and Social Sustainability Research Group.
Episode 2: Championing Welsh language and a global outlook - Professor Eleri Rosier
Peter sits down with Professor Eleri Rosier whose relentless energy and optimism makes her a perfect champion for Welsh language initiatives at Cardiff Business School. They also discuss her key role in attracting international students as the Director of Postgraduate Recruitment and Admissions. Eleri epitomises how Cardiff University balances Welsh roots with a global outlook.
Episode 3: Public value insights from a Cardiff MBA student - Jagatheep Kumar
Do farting cows have a place in the MBA programme? Apparently, yes. In episode 3, Peter chats with MBA student Jagatheep Kumar about his decision to study at Cardiff Business School and the focus on public value. Jagatheep shares how the MBA, and a small project on bovine methane emissions, shifted his perspective from viewing business as personal gain to understanding its impact on wider society.
Episode 4: Shaping policy for a Net Zero future - Dr Helen Tilley
If ever somebody was an illustration of the nomadic lives of modern academics it is Dr Helen Tilley, as revealed in her conversation with Peter.
Now settled as a Senior Research Fellow at the Wales Centre for Public Policy, Helen reflects on her career journey from international development roles overseas to shaping policy in Wales. They also discuss the role of the Centre in bringing experts together to provide crucial evidence for policymakers.
Episode 5: Closing the Gender Pay Gap - Dr Alison Parken
In this episode, Peter talks with Dr Alison Parken, about serendipity, networks, the advantage of being in Wales, and the chain of events that derive from a real determination to make things better. They discuss her research on workplace inequality, focusing on the gender pay gap, driving policy forward, and how she helps employers create fairer work practices.
Episode 6: Driving anti-racism change in Wales - Professor Emmanuel Ogbonna
Sometimes you just have to step up, because your values demand it. Peter speaks with Emmanuel Ogbonna, a Professor of Management and Organisation, about his work in spearheading the Welsh Government’s Black, Asian, and minority ethnic COVID-19 Advisory Group. They also discuss his ongoing work with Cardiff University’s anti-racism initiatives.
Episode 7: Extinction accounting and helping businesses address biodiversity -Professor Jill Atkins
Coming soon
Episode 8: Shaping Wales’ food and drink future - Dr Robert Bowen
Coming soon
Episode 9: Economics for a better society - Dr Iain Long
Coming soon
Contact for further information
Professor Peter Wells
Professor of Business and Sustainability, Director of the Centre for Automotive Industry Research, Pro Dean for Public Value
As the world’s first Public Value Business School, we care about more than economic success, we want to bring humanity, sustainability, generosity and innovation to the business sector.
