Frontiers

Thomas Sampson is a Professor of Economics at the London School of Economics. His research studies the impact of globalisation on workers, firms, and productivity. Thomas is also an academic adviser to the Bank of England and an associate at the Centre for Economic Performance, where he has worked extensively on the economic consequences of Brexit.Summary:This conversation is nothing short of a masterclass in international trade. We cover a wide range of topics, including the importance of trade for economic prosperity, the historical context of international trade, the role of tariffs, the impact of Brexit on UK-EU trade, and the intersection of international trade and climate change. Professor Sampson provides insights into the complexities and challenges of these issues, highlighting the need for cooperation and global solutions.Key Moments:06:29 What is International Trade and Why is it Important09:24 Historical Context of International Trade14:57 Tariffs and Their Role in International Trade20:14 Winners and Losers in International Trade28:27 The Impact of Brexit on UK-EU Trade40:04 The Intersection of International Trade and Climate ChangeMusic credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Andrew Beggs is a Professor of Cancer Genetics & Surgery at the Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, and the Deputy Director of the Birmingham Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre and Theme Lead for Biomarkers and Liquid Biopsy. He is also Head of Somatic Cancer in the Central and South Genomic Medicine Service Alliance and Co-Lead of the Translational Biology and Genetics research theme within the Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences. He is a fellow of the Alan Turing Institute and has recently been awarded an MRC Senior Clinical Fellowship.SummaryThis conversation explores the role of genetics in cancer and why the disease is hard to treat. It discusses assessing cancer risk and the benefits of annual MRI scans. Advances in less invasive and targeted therapies are highlighted, along with the importance of accessing new treatments and seeking second opinions. The conversation also touches on the progress in treatments, the cost of care, cancer genetics research, ways to reduce cancer risk, and the uncertain effects of vaping.Key Moments02:13 Understanding cancer07:36 Why is cancer difficult to treat?13:12 Assessing personal risk of cancer16:01 The effectiveness of annual MRI scans24:55 Advancements in Less Invasive and Targeted Therapies28:20 Availability and Access to New Treatments29:04 Importance of Seeking Second Opinions31:59 Progress in Cancer Treatment and Cures33:38 The Cost of Cancer Treatments36:42 Cancer Genetics Research and its Process44:19 Reducing the Risk of Cancer46:14 Vaping and its Unknown Effects on CancerMusic credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Professor Jonathan Portes is one of the UK's leading economists and a Professor of Economics and Public Policy at King's College London. Professor Portes has previously served as chief economist at the Department of Work and Pensions and chief economist at the Cabinet Office.SummaryProfessor Portes explores the economic impacts of immigration, the misconceptions surrounding it, and the political use of immigration as a tool. He also explores the concerns of today's labour market, the potential impact of technology on inequality, and the challenges of transitioning to a sustainable economy. The conversation emphasises the need for scenario planning and a broader range of perspectives when considering the future.Key Moments03:19 Misconceptions of Immigration09:31 Political Use of Immigration16:13 Population Demographics and Immigration27:41 Concerns in Today's Labor Market35:33 Impact of Technology on Inequality44:18 Transitioning to a Sustainable Economy46:51 Advice for BusinessesMusic credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Ioannis Ioannou is one of the world’s leading experts on Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School. Professor Ioannou regularly publishes in top-tier peer-reviewed academic journals, including Strategic Management Journal, Academy of Management Review, Management Science, and Organization Science. Professor Ioannou is also the co-Chair of the Sustainability Advisory Panel of Merck, a member of the ESG Advisory Board of the DWS Group, a member of the Advisory Board of the Sustainable Risk Assessment Framework (SRAF), the Board of the Alliance for Research on Corporate Sustainability (ARCS), serves as an Advisor to TreeApp, and a member of the World Economic Forum Expert Network. Learn more here: www.ioannou.usSummaryProfessor Ioannou discusses the need for sustainability and corporate social responsibility to be central to the strategies of organisations. He explores the fall of Kodak and Blockbuster as analogies for organizations that fail to adapt to these new demands. Professor Ioannou defines sustainability and corporate social responsibility as integrating environmental and social issues into business. He emphasises the importance of understanding the evolving nature of these challenges. Professor Ioannou also discusses the connection between corporate strategy and sustainability, the trade-offs and opportunities of sustainability, and the challenges of transitioning to a sustainable business model. He highlights the role of disruptive innovation and the clashing capabilities and competencies that organizations may face. Ioannou addresses the balance between short-term results and long-term transformation and the role of investors in the transition to sustainability. He concludes by providing advice for business leaders on how to approach sustainability. Key Moments04:21 Defining Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility05:17 The Conceptual Level of Sustainability06:14 The Evolving Nature of Sustainability Challenges09:28 The Connection Between Corporate Strategy and Sustainability10:22 The Goal of Shareholder Value and Sustainability11:16 The Two Stories of Sustainability12:39 The Trade-offs and Opportunities of Sustainability14:29 Disruption and Clashing Capabilities20:34 Navigating the Disruption of Sustainability21:32 Disruption by Sustainability and Ethics22:27 Technological Innovation and Sustainability23:23 Customer Changes and Sustainability24:18 Clashing Capabilities and Competencies27:37 Structural Inertia and Transitioning to Renewables28:32 The Challenge of Competing with Two Business Models31:15 The Rate of Change in Sustainability33:37 Balancing Short-Term Results and Long-Term Transformation36:27 The Role of Investors in the Transition to Sustainability47:28 Advice for Business LeadersMusic credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Alison Taylor is a Clinical Associate Professor at NYU Stern School of Business and Executive Director of Ethical Systems. Professor Taylor has spent the past two decades consulting with multinational companies on risk, anti-corruption, sustainability, human rights, culture and behavior, stakeholder engagement, ESG, and ethics and compliance – including as a senior advisor at sustainability nonprofit BSR, a member of the Board at Venture ESG, and a sustainability adviser at Zai Lab, KKR, and Pictet Group.SummaryProfessor Alison Taylor discusses the concept of being a good business and the challenges and complexities surrounding it. She emphasizes the need for a better conversation about the role of business in society and the importance of clarity and honesty in addressing ethical questions. Professor Taylor also explores the tension between shareholder value and other objectives, the limitations of rating agencies, and the need for organizations to focus on managing their negative impacts. She highlights the qualities of effective leaders and the importance of culture in driving change. Ultimately, she calls for better questions and a more systemic approach to addressing the challenges facing businesses today.Key Moments00:59 What does it mean to be a good business?04:42 Disconnects and challenges in the business world05:12 Rating agencies and the limitations of transparency06:32 Tension between shareholder value and other objectives07:31 The need for a better conversation about business in society08:01 The problem with stakeholder rhetoric09:26 Moving from transparency to accountability10:55 The limitations of rating agencies11:24 The challenges of measuring ESG performance12:47 The problems with corporate advocacy13:39 The fantasy of transparency leading to accountability20:05 The role of business in society22:02 The need for companies to manage their negative impacts23:15 Holding companies accountable through employees and social media24:36 The qualities of effective leaders in driving change26:28 The challenge of changing entrenched thinking at the top27:53 When CEOs and leaders should speak out on social and political issues29:32 The importance of having a process for making decisions on contentious issues34:39 The ingredients of a healthy culture37:02 The need for organizations to make a conscious choice to transform40:06 The challenges and uncertainties of the futureMusic credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Anand Menon is a Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs at Kings College London, director of the UK in a Changing Europe (an initiative that aims to make the findings of social scientific research available and accessible to all non-academic audiences interested in Brexit, the Brexit process and its implications), an associate fellow of Chatham House and Senior Associate member of Nuffield College, Oxford and co-editor of the journal West European Politics. SummaryThis conversation explores the history, dynamics, and external factors influencing the UK-EU relationship, with a focus on Brexit. The conversation begins with the drivers and history of Brexit, including the UK's skepticism towards the EU and contingent factors such as the Eurozone crisis and migration. The discussion then delves into the current dynamics of the UK-EU relationship, the success or failure of Brexit, and the impact of external factors such as NATO and conflicts. The conversation also covers the UK-EU Divergence Tracker, the importance of regulatory alignment, and the future of UK-EU relations.Key Moments00:57 The History and Drivers of Brexit08:24 The Method of Decision-Making: Referendum09:22 Brexit: Success or Failure?16:23 The Windsor Framework and the Northern Ireland Protocol19:44 The Importance of UK-EU Regulatory Alignment22:08 The Motivation for UK-EU Influence27:43 The Role of International Organizations (NATO and the UN)28:13 The Role of World Powers (USA and China)38:19 Collaboration and Cooperation in Conflicts (Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Hamas)40:35 The Future of UK-EU RelationsMusic credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Michael Haenlein is a leading expert on the impact of new technologies on firms and consumers, a Professor of Marketing at ESCP Business School, and holds Visiting Positions at Kozminski University in Warsaw and Trinity Business School in Dublin. He examines issues such as video gaming, mobile gaming, artificial intelligence, social media, and influencer marketing and has published over 50 articles in academic and practitioner-oriented journals. As a consultant, he has worked with many international companies in various industry sectors, such as telecommunications, financial services, technology, and private equity.SummaryProfessor Haenlein discusses the future of social media, the shift towards authenticity and interactivity, the impact of social media on relationships and trust, and the responsibility of social media platforms. He also explores the consequences of social media on mental health and polarisation, the perception of distraction and overstimulation, the rise of streaming and individual content creators, and the disruption of traditional media organisations. The conversation highlights the challenges of content creation and quality, as well as the concentration of platforms and the democratisation of content creation. The conversation then explores gaming as a form of entertainment, debunking misconceptions and highlighting its size and reach. It delves into the time consumption and active engagement in gaming, as well as the social connections and virtual world it offers. The discussion also touches on advertising in games and the potential gamification of TV and films. The impact of AI on customised entertainment is explored, and the importance of understanding new technologies through personal use is emphasised.Key Moments01:27 The Future of Social Media04:24 Authenticity and Interactivity in Social Media13:11 The Impact of Social Media on Trust and Misinformation20:32 The Design and Responsibility of Social Media Platforms23:56 The Consequences of Social Media on Mental Health and Polarization26:12 The Perception of Distraction and Overstimulation30:29 The Rise of Streaming and Individual Content Creators36:18 The Disruption of Traditional Media Organizations40:34 The Challenge of Content Creation and Quality47:32 The Concentration of Platforms and Democratization of Content Creation51:43 Gaming as a Form of Entertainment52:39 Misconceptions about Gaming53:40 Size and Reach of the Gaming Industry54:07 Time Consumption in Gaming55:33 Active Engagement and Social Connections in Gaming56:29 Gaming as a Virtual World57:23 Advertising in Games01:01:13 Gamification of TV and Films01:02:37 AI and Customized EntertainmentMusic credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Dr. Felix Gille is a leading expert on trust in the healthcare system and a research scientist at the University of Zurich. Dr. Gille's work is widely published in top academic journals, and he has recently published his first book, What Is Public Trust in the Health System?SummaryDr. Felix Gille discusses the concept of trust and its importance in the healthcare system. He explains that trust is a relational construct between individuals and that it is built through positive shared experiences and reputation. Dr. Gille distinguishes between individual and public trust, highlighting that public trust is a relationship between the public and the state. He emphasises the significance of public trust in the healthcare system, as it leads to legitimacy and participation. Dr. Gille also explores the challenges and strategies for fostering public trust, including clear communication, system guarantees, and autonomy.Additionally, he discusses the concept of trust in artificial intelligence in healthcare and the need for a coherent understanding of trust in AI. This conversation explores the importance of trust in healthcare and how it can be built and maintained. The discussion highlights the role of communication, transparency, patient-centric care, and technology in fostering trust. It also addresses the challenges to trust in healthcare and proposes trust as a performance indicator. Overall, the conversation emphasises the significance of trust in improving healthcare outcomes and calls for its integration into the healthcare system.Key Moments01:23 Understanding Trust11:31 Public Trust in the Health System19:45 Demographic Attitudes towards Trust in the Health System22:09 Attitudes towards Data Sharing28:17 Fostering Public Trust in the Health System41:13 Trust in the COVID-19 Vaccine47:01 Trust in Artificial Intelligence in HealthcareMusic credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Professor Alexander Wagner is one of the world's leading financial economists, a Professor at the Department of Banking and Finance of the University of Zurich (UZH) and a senior chair of the Swiss Finance Institute (SFI). Professor Wagner has taught corporate finance to thousands of students and hundreds of executives, and he has helped shape the governance systems of companies, large and small. He is the Chairman of the Executive Education of the UZH Faculty of Business, Economics, and Informatics and Co-Head of the UZH Center for Crisis Competence. He has served as chairman of a proxy advisor and as an independent counsel for PwC. His research focuses on corporate finance, sustainable finance, and behavioural economics.Key Moments:01:16 Professor Wagner's Research Interests03:12 Impact of Surprise Elections on Stock Market19:02 Why Do Share Prices of Companies Change?23:50 Connection between Financial Crisis and COVID Deaths40:12 Do Investors Care About Biodiversity?Music credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic