News From the Castle - The Perspective

Welcome to News From the Castle! This podcast series is dedicated to interviewing experts inside and outside Lund University, who share their expertise on topics related to foreign affairs.As part of the Project of the Year at UPF Lund, project member Yelyzaveta hosts this episode featuring Kateryna Okhrimchuk, an International Relations Advisor at the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority. She discusses Ukraine’s maritime governance and the challenges facing the country’s ports and shipping sector during the Russia-Ukraine war. She explains how maritime security, mine clearance, port protection, and international diplomacy have become central to Ukraine’s resilience in the Black Sea region.Any opinions expressed in this episode are the speakers’ own and do not represent UPF Lund, which remains politically neutral and unaffiliated.Host: Yelyzaveta MaslovskaGuest: Kateryna OkhrimchukEditor: Finn SpicesProducers: Hwikyung Lee, Ismail Ali

In this episode, we sit down with Rouzbeh Parsi, author and affiliated Researcher at Lund University, for an in-depth conversation on Iran, one of the most complex and often misunderstood countries in today’s geopolitical landscape.We begin by exploring the foundations of the Islamic Republic of Iran: what defines it, how Iranian society functions in practice, and the intricate relationship between state power and everyday life. From there, we turn to the current conflict, unpacking what is happening on the ground and what the future might hold.Rouzbeh also discusses his new book, Mellan Gud och stat (Between God and State: Iran after a Long 20th Century), offering deeper historical context for understanding Iran today.While much has evolved since this conversation was recorded, Rouzbeh’s analysis remains sharp and highly relevant. His insights combined with a clear and engaging style, make this episode just as valuable now as when it was first recorded.Any opinions expressed in this episode are the speakers’ own and do not represent UPF Lund, which remains politically neutral and unaffiliated.Host: Ismail Ali, Lisa BarutGuest: Rouzbeh ParsiProducer: Ismail Ali, Hwikyung Lee

Welcome to News From the Castle! This podcast series is dedicated to interviewing experts inside and outside Lund University, who share their expertise on topics related to foreign affairs.In this episode, Hanna Sahlberg, senior China reporter at Swedish Radio and former Beijing correspondent, joins us to discuss China’s evolving role in global science and innovation, the opportunities and risks of cooperation with China, and how European perspectives on China have shifted over the past decade. The conversation also explores questions surrounding state influence, academic freedom, global trade, and the future of international collaboration in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.Any opinions expressed in this episode are the speakers’ own and do not represent UPF Lund, which remains politically neutral and unaffiliated.Host: Dipline PurbuarGuest: Hanna SahlbergProducers: Hwikyung Lee, Ismail Ali

Welcome to News From the Castle! This podcast series is dedicated to interviewing experts inside and outside Lund University, who share their expertise on topics related to foreign affairs.[This is a special feature featuring interviews from abroad]In this episode, John Langton, an independent documentary filmmaker and a fundraiser for a school, talks about the importance of valuing human lives and stories around the world. He shares stories about career changes, a bike trip, documentary filmmaking, and fundraising for a school in Kibera.Any opinions expressed in this episode are the speakers’ own and do not represent UPF Lund, which remains politically neutral and unaffiliated.Host: Hwikyung LeeGuest: John LangtonProducers: Hwikyung Lee, Ismail Ali

Welcome to News From the Castle! This podcast series is dedicated to interviewing experts inside and outside Lund University, who share their expertise on topics related to foreign affairs.In this episode, Dr. Marju Himma, an associate professor of Journalism Studies at the University of Tartu, sits down with us to talk about the political consequences of an evolving media landscape, navigating the use of AI in content-making as a producer and a consumer, and the benefits of reading to become a better podcaster.This interview was recorded during UPF Lund's visit with RSR at the University of Tartu in Estonia, within the Erasmus+ Small-scale Partnership in Youth Programme and under the banner of Nordic/Baltic Youth Knowledge Exchange.Any opinions expressed in this episode are the speakers’ own and do not represent UPF Lund, which remains politically neutral and unaffiliated.Host: Paula Grandas Perales, Sabina RamekeGuest: Marju HimmaProducers: Hwikyung Lee, Ismail AliEditor: Sabina Rameke

Welcome to News From the Castle! This podcast series is dedicated to interviewing experts inside and outside Lund University, who share their expertise on topics related to foreign affairs.This episode features Dr. Yi Hyun Kang, a postdoctoral researcher at Lund University and a member of the Strategic Research Area BECC. She discusses the characteristics of young activists in environmental politics and the dynamics within youth activist organisations. Dr. Kang also shares insights into how their voices influence climate change discourse, as well as the growing role of digital spaces in environmental politics.Any opinions expressed in this episode are the speakers’ own and do not represent UPF Lund, which remains politically neutral and unaffiliated.Hosts: Hwikyung LeeGuest: Yihyun KangProducers & Editors: Hwikyung Lee, Ismail Ali

Welcome to News From the Castle! This podcast series is dedicated to interviewing experts inside and outside Lund University, who share their expertise on topics related to foreign affairs.This episode features Dr. Jinyan Zeng, a documentary filmmaker and Senior Lecturer at the Centre for East and South East Asian Studies at Lund University. She shares her experiences of making activist documentaries and producing films under China’s censorship and political repression. Dr. Zeng discusses how the political regime shapes activism in China and how it can dehumanise activists, and she reflects on documentary filmmaking as a space where people can retain their voices and humour.Any opinions expressed in this episode are the speakers’ own and do not represent UPF Lund, which remains politically neutral and unaffiliated.Hosts: Paula Grandas Perales, Hwikyung LeeGuest: Jinyan ZengProducer: Hwikyung LeeEditor: Finn Spices

Welcome to News From the Castle! This podcast series is dedicated to interviewing experts inside and outside Lund University, who share their expertise on topics related to foreign affairs.This episode features Professor Mark Elliott, the Vice Provost of International Affairs at Harvard University and the Mark Schwartz Professor of Chinese and Inner Asian History. He spoke about the politics of history in China today as part of the Perspective Asia Lecture Series in Lund. Professor Elliott discusses China’s history, particularly the Qing period (1636–1911), the last dynasty to rule China. Drawing on the New Qing perspective with Manchu studies, he explains the differences between Sinicisation and the New Qing approach and shares the insights on the historical implications for contemporary Chinese politics and foreign policy.Any opinions expressed in this episode are the speakers’ own and do not represent UPF Lund, which remains politically neutral and unaffiliated.Hosts: Hwikyung LeeGuest: Mark ElliottProducer & Editor: Hwikyung Lee