A YEAR IN REVIEW Blavatnik School of Government
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Blavatnik School of Government A YEAR IN REVIEW Annual Report 2021–22
WELCOME CONTENTS 1
“
No other programme in the world has such
an applied focus. It’s not just about learning
equations or theories. It’s also about networking,
discussing policy challenges, considering
perspectives from the private sector, NGOs,
politicians and policymakers. If you’re planning
CONTENTS
to introduce some kind of transformation in your
Introduction ................................................................... 2 Holding net zero pledges to account........................ 30
country, this sort of training is important.
Our faculty .................................................................... 3 Expanding the role of international law
FRANCISCO CARRILLO MAGNA, MPP 2021
in conflict .................................................................... 32
What we do ............................... 4
”
Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and
Our approach ................................................................ 5 Conflict (ELAC) ........................................................ 33
Our degree students .................................................... 6 War in Ukraine ........................................................... 33
Our alumni ..................................................................... 8 Building integrity and challenging
Inspiring public sector leaders, present polarisation during a global pandemic ...................... 34
and future .................................................................... 10 Government Outcomes Lab’s first five years ........ 36
Research ....................................................................... 11 Case Centre on Public Leadership ........................... 37
Scholarship support .................................................... 12 Student profiles .......................................................... 38
Donor impact .............................................................. 15 The Kyoto Prize at Oxford goes online ................... 40
Outreach and events .................................................. 16 Fountain Pen, 2019 .................................................... 41
A global community .................................................... 18 Alumni profiles ........................................................... 42
Alumni and student profiles ...................................... 20 Transforming leadership, governance
and public policy ......................................................... 44
Highlights ............................... 22 Student profile ........................................................... 45
The world’s most-cited dataset of
pandemic policy ......................................................... 24 Governance and advisory arrangements ................. 46
A growing community of policy innovators ............ 26 Financial information .................................................. 47
Informing public policy decisions with Academic Advisory Board ........................................ 48
rigorous research ........................................................ 27 International Advisory Board .................................... 49
Student and alumni profiles ...................................... 28 Connect ...................................................................... 50
2 INTRODUCTION WELCOME WELCOME OUR FACULTY 3
INTRODUCTION OUR FACULTY
If I had to choose a word to describe these past twelve Incredibly, in Ngaire Woods Federica D’Alessandra Julien Labonne Isabel Ruiz
months, it would be ‘solidarity’. This last year has been trying March 2022 Dean of the Blavatnik Deputy Director, Institute Associate Professor in Tutorial Fellow in Applied
for citizens and governments across the globe but here the Oxford School of Government, for Ethics, Law and Conflict, Economics and Public Policy Economics
at the Blavatnik School we find ourselves more than ever COVID-19 Professor of Global Executive Director,
being sustained by the solidarity shown by members of our Government Economic Governance Programme on International Clare Leaver Tom Simpson
community in the face of hardship. Response Peace and Security Associate Professor of Associate Professor of
Whether it’s the care that our colleagues have shown in Tracker Mara Airoldi Economics and Public Policy Philosophy and Public
making sure that everyone feels safe returning to on-site celebrated Director of the Government Stefan Dercon Policy, Co-Director of the
working and learning after two years of the pandemic, or its two-year Outcomes Lab Professor of Economic Anandi Mani Master of Public Policy
helping to find housing and jobs for displaced Afghans, the anniversary Policy Professor of Behavioural
School has come together for each other in extraordinary and it is now Dapo Akande Economics and Public Policy Chris Stone
ways. the world’s Professor of Public Thomas Elston Professor of Practice of
In August 2021 as the Taliban took over Kabul, the wider largest repository of International Law Associate Professor in Ciaran Martin Public Integrity
School community sprang into action and worked tirelessly global evidence relating to Co-Director, Institute for Public Administration Professor of Practice in
to ensure the safety of our Afghan alumni whose roles and pandemic policies in 186 countries. It has become a vital Ethics, Law and Conflict the Management of Public Maya Tudor
activism put them at risk. We had dozens of people engaged resource for governments around the world as they begin to Richenda Gambles Organisations Associate Professor of
– Pakistani, UK and US alumni organising visas, shelter, examine the policy lessons of the pandemic. Eric Beinhocker Director of Admissions Government and Public
transport; donors who offered financial support; and staff and And as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has unfolded, the Professor of Practice in Kate Orkin Policy
faculty working around the clock to help tie all these pieces School has used its intellectual and convening power to Public Policy, Executive Margarita Gómez Senior Research Fellow in
together. lead a series of panels discussing the invasion and its global Director of the Institute for Executive Director of the Economics and Public Policy Adam Webster
Over the past year our faculty has continued to be an geopolitical implications, and our students have been New Economic Thinking People in Government Lab Associate Professor in
exceptionally collaborative group, working with colleagues instrumental in raising funds for Ukrainian refugees. Anna Petherick Law and Public Policy,
across the globe to advocate for and advise on solutions As each new challenge arises, our alumni, current Eleanor Carter İrem Güçeri Departmental Lecturer in Co-Director of the Master
to some of the world’s most pressing problems: Associate students, faculty, and supporters are always primed and ready Research Director Associate Professor of Public Policy, Director of of Public Policy
Professor Thomas Hale attended COP26 in Glasgow and, to help, whether through activism, research, engagement (Government Economics and Public Policy the Lemann Foundation
along with colleagues from around the University, launched with governments and even risky, in-country work supporting Outcomes Lab) Programme Martin Williams
the Net Zero Tracker which provides vital data assessing net their fellow citizens. As you will find in the pages that follow, Thomas Hale Associate Professor of
zero targets across countries, regions, cities and companies; the School community’s deep commitment to public service, Paul Collier Associate Professor in Roxana Radu Public Management
and Professor Dapo Akande was elected to the International in all its various forms, has been especially evident during Professor of Economics and Public Policy (Global Public Departmental Lecturer
Law Commission for a five-year term. His joint nomination this past year. I hope you will find as much inspiration in each Public Policy Policy) in Technology and Public Jonathan Wolff
by five countries – and the first time a candidate was story as I have. Policy Alfred Landecker Professor
supported by countries from four different United Nations Pepper Culpepper Emily Jones of Values and Public Policy
regional groups – is a brilliant exemplar of the global breadth Ngaire Woods, Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government Vice-Dean for Academic Associate Professor in Karthik Ramanna
of our faculty’s reach and engagement. Affairs, Blavatnik Chair in Public Policy (Global Professor of Business and
Government and Public Economic Governance) Public Policy, Director of
Policy the Master of Public Policy
Peter Kemp
Professor of Public Policy
Note: Faculty will sometimes be referred to by name only rather than by title in this report.
4 WHAT WE DO WHAT WE DO OUR APPROACH 5
WHAT WE DO
The School’s mission to improve government worldwide OUR APPROACH
has never been more important than it is today.
Our approach is characterised by a deep commitment to collaboration and
coalition-building. Learning to build unlikely coalitions is a recurring theme
The world faces a landscape defined by global events, and how we choose to throughout the MPP course and, as graduates leave the School to embark on their
respond to them will shape generations to come. Through our teaching, research careers, they take with them the skills, confidence and network they need to reach
and engagement with governments around the world, we have helped empower across divides and find solutions to the world’s most intractable issues.
policymakers and governments to implement the type of measured, evidence- Exceptional teaching is a hallmark of the University of Oxford, and we have
based solutions that are so important during times of upheaval. assembled a group of faculty that are not only experts in the academic theory
As some of the turmoil wrought by the pandemic over the past two years behind policymaking, but also have wide-ranging, high-level experience in the
begins to recede, there has also been room for a collective re-thinking of our public sector.
priorities and ways of operating. Here at the Blavatnik School, we are actively Convening is the essence of what we do. We cannot solve global problems
looking forward to this exciting new horizon and engaging with leaders and without taking global action, and everything we do comes back, in the end, to
governments to work together on how they can govern, lead and serve their bringing leaders – future, past and present – together to work on solving the most
citizens in a more just and equitable way. pressing issues facing today’s world.
6 OUR DEGREE STUDENTS WHAT WE DO WHAT WE DO OUR DEGREE STUDENTS 7
OUR DEGREE STUDENTS
After more than a year of hybrid in-person
and online teaching, we were delighted to
welcome degree students to the School to
attend classes.
This year, 141 students from 48 different countries embarked STUDENT PROFILE
on our Master of Public Policy (MPP), an intensive one-year
postgraduate degree for current and future leaders with a
commitment to public service. From a Lieutenant Colonel in
YOLISWA MSWELI
the Malawi Defence Forces working to incorporate human MPP 2021, South African, Poler Family Scholar
rights and gender policy into the forces’ governance, to
a Colombian radio broadcaster who interviews high-level A South African leader hopes to transform her country through
politicians for an audience of over 1 million, this year’s class economic reform
showcases the diverse range of backgrounds and experiences
that make studying for the MPP at the Blavatnik School of For many people globally, education has the power to In her application
Government truly unique. For further detail, see pp.18–19. lift people out of poverty. Yoliswa Msweli attributes for the MPP, Yoliswa
“
The MPP class of 2021 received the highest number her position in life to the fact that both of her parents highlighted her personal
of scholarships ever, with 82% of students receiving full or were able to stay in school. As a result, education has experiences with poverty
partial funding this year. The School is committed to ensuring always been a critical part of her life. Although Yoliswa’s and how these have shaped
that an applicant’s financial situation will never be a deterrent education allowed her to access opportunities that would her desire to serve her
to applying for the MPP (see pp.12–14). I really believe in the power of research as ultimately change her life, many of her relations remain in country, and her commitment
Our Doctorate in Public Policy (DPhil) is a three- extreme poverty. to taking the lessons she would learn on the course back to
year research programme for those wanting to bring in-
well as deep intellectual thinking. I knew “Many people in South Africa are trapped in what South Africa to address the country’s systemic problems.
depth rigour to real-world issues. It has a strong emphasis these would be part of my future but I we call the triple threat of poverty, inequality and Her dedication was recognised when she was offered the
on solving pressing public problems and provides robust unemployment. Close to 50 per cent of South African Poler Family Scholarship to study the MPP.
training for understanding particular policy challenges and
wanted to do the DPhil in an environment youth are unemployed. These statistics quickly become Since arriving in Oxford, Yoliswa has been enjoying
for evaluating, devising or implementing policy solutions. much more oriented towards making someone you know.” the opportunity to indulge her intellectual side. At
Students have the opportunity to meet and interact with Yoliswa had spent 17 years working as an accountant the same time, she feels cognisant of Oxford’s elite
prominent public policy practitioners, alongside attending
change in the real world through policy. when she began to consider studying public policy. reputation, which has made her even more committed to
seminars in the School and across the wider university. In her most recent role at KPMG, she established a paying her education forward after graduating.
Both our MPP and DPhil students benefit from BEN ABRAHAM, development consulting service for working with third- Outside of classes, Yoliswa has been getting involved
becoming part of an extraordinary network of peers to share DPHIL ALUMNUS 2018 sector clients and though she found this work meaningful, with the student-led ‘Ready to Run’ initiative for those
”
ideas and advice; our degree programmes are just the start she could see this was not leading to substantive change who plan to run for elected office after the MPP:
of a lifelong journey of global connections and a shared on a large scale, which she attributed in large part to poor “South Africa needs energy, direction and someone to
commitment to public service. See pp.8–9 for further detail governance both locally and nationally. take them down a certain path. I feel called to run for office.”
of our alumni community.
8 OUR ALUMNI WHAT WE DO WHAT WE DO OUR ALUMNI 9
OUR ALUMNI
Studying at the Blavatnik School is the start ALUMNI PROFILE
of a lifelong journey of global connections
and a shared commitment to public service. PEPE TONIN
MPP 2017, Brazilian, Lemann Scholar
With almost a thousand MPP and DPhil alumni and over Building integrity in a politically polarised government
three hundred executive alumni, this is a community that
supports each other by sharing expertise, building networks When Pepe Tonin joined the Master of Public Policy class Economic Cooperation and
and forging enduring friendships, as was demonstrated most of 2017, his home country of Brazil had been confronting Development (OECD)
recently when our alumni and the wider School community a deep political crisis since 2013. For Pepe, whose in Paris. Though this was
of faculty, supporters, friends, and colleagues, sprang into career had been focused on integrity and transparency an invaluable experience,
action to ensure the safety of our Afghan alumni whose roles in government – first in the Legislative Assembly in São Pepe missed the fast pace
and activism put them at risk. Paulo and then at Brazil’s national anti-corruption agency of working on the ground in
We are proud that our alumni are having an impact on CGU – his time at the School was a critical period for his country where decisions
public policy as elected representatives him to evaluate his future contributions. can have rapid impact.
and government policy officials across “Being in Oxford gave me the chance to reflect about Before returning, however, he spent
the globe: in the UK, Mongolia, the democracy, institutions, morals and ethics in government. six months working with Anna Petherick at the
UAE, Denmark, Rwanda, Canada, My own work in transparency and integrity is often School on building integrity in government research.
Ukraine and New Zealand, to name manipulated by extremists, at least in Brazil, where During this time, Felipe Rigoni was elected to Brazil’s
a few. Other alumni are influencing corruption is used to build anti-democratic rules. On National Congress and began building a joint office
the successful delivery of vital public the MPP I also met Felipe Rigoni, who was later elected with two other members. The new office invited Pepe
services from posts in the third sector to Brazil’s congress, and we spent a lot of time between to interview for the post they had created in integrity
and multinational organisations. classes discussing integrity and building democracy and and transparency.
And it doesn’t stop there. Our how they are complementary.” After a successful interview process, Pepe was
alumni continue to support and engage Though Pepe had received several offers for public put to work in an oversight capacity on the Ministry
with the School every day by, for policy programmes, he chose the School because of Education in Brazil. Pepe’s team orchestrated the
example, becoming a mentor for other of its link to Brazil through the Lemann Foundation creation of a shadow education cabinet to hold the
students; acting as an ambassador partnership. He also felt the course’s interdisciplinary Ministry to account, each semester completing a report
for the School by connecting us with nature would help him to continue building his career in monitoring their work numbers, budget, public policies
future students, partners and donors; anti-corruption in the public sector. and results in terms of attendance and educational
supporting the assessment process for “If you think about preparing yourself to be a good attainment. The work of this cabinet has resulted in the
applicants to the MPP; collaborating public servant, you think about philosophy, law, politics, resignation of two Ministers for Education.
with faculty on research projects economics. At the Blavatnik School they are all part of In addition to education, Pepe’s role overseeing public
and attending and facilitating events; the MPP.” policy implementation has spanned the areas of climate
participating as a visiting expert, for Pepe believed the future of the anti-corruption change and deforestation, digitalisation of public service,
example at a career-focused seminar agenda would lie with international organisations and so big tech regulation, building back education and health
or practical skills session; or by hosting completed his summer project at the Organization for systems from COVID-19 and executive oversight.
a summer project student.
10 INSPIRING PUBLIC SECTOR LEADERS WHAT WE DO WHAT WE DO RESEARCH 11
INSPIRING PUBLIC RESEARCH
SECTOR LEADERS, Our independent and rigorous evidence-
based research is the third pillar, alongside
PRESENT AND FUTURE our teaching and engagement, that
Welcoming back in-person executive supports the School’s mission to improve
programmes as our online courses continue policymaking and seek practical solutions
to thrive. to the global challenges facing governments
and societies today.
Our executive programmes are designed for leaders at Energy; Sheila Khama, CEO of De Beers Botswana; and
the top of their organisations and for professionals and Spencer Dale, Chief Economist at BP. We harness the curiosity, intellect and dedication of an new rules that governments around the world are
policymakers working at the forefront of policy challenges. We are excited for the return to in-person courses later international community of scholars, practitioners and negotiating to govern this new phase of globalisation.
The programmes offer an immersive, intensive opportunity to this year including the launch of the Rising Public Leaders researchers to apply a multi-disciplinary and collaborative Emily and her team are providing rapid-response analysis and
learn from world-renowned scholars and expert practitioners Programme, a new executive programme for rising leaders approach. briefings for parliamentarians tasked with scrutinising
to fortify skills, strengthen integrity in organisations, learn on a trajectory to lead their public sector organisation within From our ground-breaking global tracker that provides UK trade agreements, examining implications of digital
from the latest evidence and build international networks. the next three to seven years. comparative, real-time data on government responses trade provisions for large and small businesses, consumers
While the pandemic prevented us from running our to COVID-19 (see pp.24–25), to our global centre of and workers.
in-person executive programmes over the past year, we Expanding our online offerings knowledge on cross-sector partnerships for better social
continued to keep prospective participants engaged during outcomes (for more on GO Lab see p.36), to the vital Can public opinion and media coverage sway
this unprecedented time. In the second year of offering our online courses, over research to strengthen law, norms and institutions to policymaking?
Chris Stone, Professor of Practice of Public Integrity, 200 participants from 36 countries focused on the use restrain, regulate and prevent armed conflict, now needed
led a free public online event featuring then-President of of evidence when designing and evaluating policies in our more than ever (for more on Dapo Akande and ELAC’s The global financial crisis of 2007–2008 upended
Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani, and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Evidence in Public Policy course, and were taught skills to work, see pp.32–33), our research community is leading the financial systems and aroused enduring popular anger
the head of UN Women. This unique, interactive event understand the key moral and ethical concepts that should way in innovative solutions to the most pressing global issues. against big banks. The Banklash project, funded by a grant
allowed hundreds of participants to debate with faculty and inform public policy in our Values in Public Policy course. from the European Research Council, investigates how
other participants the difference that good leadership can Our latest course, Economics for Public Policy, will prepare these events, along with subsequent financial scandals,
make in the world. public policy professionals who deal with economists as part Informing the debate on digital trade have been covered by the media and influenced public
We ran a series of online workshops to support policy of their day-to-day work to better understand public policy opinion in the US, the UK, Switzerland, Germany, France
leaders work towards better management and governance of through an economic lens. The course is directed by Clare The global economy is digitalising rapidly: the value of and Australia. Led by Pepper Culpepper (above), the
oil, gas or mineral resources, featuring Professor Paul Collier Leaver and İrem Güçeri and commenced in April 2022. cross-border data flows is outstripping the value of research team is exploring under what circumstances the
and several high-profile industry leaders including Tom traditional goods trade, and technology companies wider public, influenced by the media, develop opinions
Butler, former CEO of the International Council on Metals Our online courses are delivered in partnership with Pearson. For have become the world’s most powerful firms. Emily toward banking regulation, and how these factors can in turn
& Mining; Carole Nakhle, Director and Founder of Crystol more information, visit: www.bsg.ox.ac.uk/onlinecourses Jones is leading a project on digital trade, examining the play a role in the policymaking process.
12 SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT WHAT WE DO WHAT WE DO SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT 13
“
The MPP was a formative and pivotal
“
moment for me professionally and
personally and I made deep connections
and friendships. I still interact All our work and effort here is made
professionally with former fellow students possible by the generosity and vision of
and professors on a monthly basis. I would those who give their time, wisdom and
not have been able to do the MPP without funding in support of a bold ambition
the support of a Luksic Scholarship. to improve government worldwide.
ALEXANDER MICHIE,
Philanthropic support enables the School
LUKSIC SCHOLAR, MPP CLASS OF 2014 to open its doors to the most exceptional
”
scholars and researchers from a truly
diverse range of backgrounds. On behalf
of our students, faculty members and
staff, I would like to express my heartfelt
thanks to our partners, donors and friends
for their commitment to supporting the
Blavatnik School’s mission.
SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT PROFESSOR NGAIRE WOODS,
DEAN OF THE BLAVATNIK SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT
”
The generosity and foresight of our donors enables the Blavatnik School to
pursue its mission of educating and empowering outstanding individuals.
The School’s flagship programmes deliver the academic world, we are confident of both ensuring equality of educational • Islamic Development Bank Scholarship • Oxford Graduate Scholarship
knowledge and professional skills necessary for opportunity and sustaining excellence at the School. • Jaime and Raquel Gilinski Scholarship • Oxford Lebanon Master of Public Policy Graduate Scholarship
transformational public service. We remain focused on • Jardine-Exeter Scholarship • Oxford-Pershing Square Scholarship
educating the next generation of political and public leaders Funding through the following scholarships has supported • Jardine-Oxford Scholarship • Oxford-Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
who will go on to improve governments, policy and practice the MPP classes of 2020 and 2021 and will support MPP • Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Graduate Scholarship
in nations across the globe. students joining us in 2022: • Jusoor and Saïd Foundation Scholarship • Oxford Thai Foundation Graduate Scholarship
The MPP Class of 2021 received the highest number • Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation (AIG) Scholarship • Khazanah-Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Merdeka • Poler Family Oxford Graduate Scholarship
of scholarships in the School’s ten-year history, with 82% • All Souls Hugh Springer Graduate Scholarship Scholarship • Political Leadership Scholarship
of our 141 students, who have come from 48 countries, • Beit Trust Wadham College Scholarship • Kwok Scholarship • Public Service Scholarship
receiving full or partial funding. • Carl and Caroline Dawson Scholarship • Leaders for Global Change Scholarship • Reuben College Scholarship
School scholarships and other forms of philanthropic • Chevening Scholarship • Lemann Scholarship • Rhodes Scholarship
support ensure that financial barriers do not limit the • Chevening/Anglo American Joint Scholarship • Lord Browne Scholarship in Public Service • University College Burma Scholarship
opportunities available to exceptional individuals with the talent • Commonwealth Shared Scholarship • Luksic Scholarship • Vicky Noon Educational Foundation Oxford Scholarship
and motivation to make a difference. With the continued • Duke of Cambridge Scholarship • Mo Ibrahim Scholarship • Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarship
involvement of our supporters and friends from around the • Eisenhower Global Scholarship • Oxford-CREAT Group Scholarship • Westpac New Zealand Spirit of Service Scholarship
14 SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT WHAT WE DO WHAT WE DO DONOR IMPACT 15
STUDENT PROFILE
NIKUNJ AGARWAL
MPP 2021, Indian, Chevening Scholar
Pushing for interdisciplinary approaches to policymaking in India DONOR IMPACT
Hailing from a small Himalayan town in India, Nikunj Yet he knew that The impact of philanthropy extends beyond scholarship support
Agarwal remembers being surrounded by inequality for without funding, and is vital for maintaining the research excellence and intellectual
all of his life. His lived experiences cemented in him a undertaking the
vibrancy of the School community.
desire to serve the most disadvantaged populations in his MPP would be near
country, leading him first into teaching in a public school. impossible. Through
Following this, he moved into policy work. several friends in his The School’s inception was thanks to a generous gift from • The generosity of the Alfred Landecker Foundation
“My experiences for the last five to seven years have network who had previously our founding donor, Sir Leonard Blavatnik, and we are (see p.16) and the Inamori Foundation (see p.40) have
shown me that the policymaking process does not work in studied in the UK, Nikunj grateful to the many donors, partners, funders and friends of enabled the School to maintain a high level of public
favour of the marginalised. I therefore asked myself what found out about the Chevening the School for all their support and generosity, which allows engagement through their programme of annual lectures.
role am I playing in this now, and what role do I want to be Scholarship and decided to apply. us to continue striving to improve the quality of government
playing in the future?” “Having a fully-funded scholarship has meant I can and public policymaking worldwide. • We are deeply grateful to the Inamori Foundation, the
At this juncture in his career, Nikunj knew he was focus my energies on the MPP programme. Without it I While we collaborate with several of our funders on Noah Foundation and the Tun Razak Foundation for
passionate about justice in policymaking. He also believed don’t think I would be here.” shared goals, we retain absolute academic independence supporting the state-of-the-art facilities which have
that interdisciplinary approaches to policymaking would Now that Nikunj has arrived in Oxford, he has already from all our donors and funders. allowed faculty, staff, students and visitors to fully engage
be the best way of incorporating the needs of India’s most been impressed by the range of perspectives students in School teaching, events and activities.
underserved people into the policy process. have been encouraged to consider when addressing • We are most grateful for the support provided by
Nikunj also understood, however, that he had work policy challenges. He has also been thinking more Microsoft and the Government of Japan to the
to do to confront his own bias and ignorance about the deeply about his long-term aims; he hopes to use the Oxford Process on International Law Protections in Our partnerships
world. He therefore began to consider the Master of Chevening Scholarship and his time at Oxford to build Cyberspace, an initiative of the Oxford Institute for
Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government. a vast network of policy practitioners across South Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict (ELAC) at the School. The School’s wide-reaching partnerships with institutions
The course’s emphasis on deriving lessons for good Asia and beyond who are working on interdisciplinary The initiative aims to identify and clarify rules of such as the Lemann Foundation (see pp.34–35) and the
governance from countries all over the world, using policymaking. In this way, he will continue to develop his international law applicable to cyber operations across a Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation (see p.44) have transformative
a multidisciplinary approach to understand policy ability to create sustainable policies long after his time on variety of contexts, bringing together international legal impacts on public leadership and policymaking, both present
challenges, was a particular pull for him. the MPP comes to an end. experts from across the globe. Find out more about the and future, as well as on the calibre and range of the School’s
work of ELAC on p.33. public engagement initiatives.
16 SUBSECTIONAND
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OUTREACH AND EVENTS
Bringing the world back to the
Blavatnik School.
We run around 50 public events a year. In 2021, we were in January 2022, we held the third Alfred Landecker
able to hold in-person events again whilst ensuring our Memorial Lecture, with Professor Norbert Frei describing
global audience could continue to join discussions remotely. Germany’s handling of its Nazi past a project of societal self-
In 2021–22 we heard from former Prime Minister of enlightenment.
the UK Gordon Brown; politician and diplomat Baroness When the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February
Valerie Amos; distinguished historian Professor Margaret 2022, we swiftly pivoted our events programme to bring
MacMillan; French Minister of Public Transformation and together experts from economics, refugee studies, military
Service, Amélie de Montchalin; former CEO of Google strategy and global security to examine the consequences of
Eric Schmidt; chairman and director of McKinsey Global the war.
Institute (MGI) James Manyika; Yale professor and former Our digital and international media engagement connects
legal advisor to the Obama administration Professor Harold us to an even wider audience. In the last 12 months we
Hong ju Koh; and award-winning journalist and broadcaster have seen almost 560,000 visitors to our website across
Barkha Dutt, among many others with a broad range of 830,000 visits. Our 29,000 YouTube followers from around
expertise. the world viewed our videos a total of 2.3m times, spending
Topics covered in our events range from the impact a combined 746,000 hours watching our content. We have
AI could have upon global security and the future of over 20,000 followers on both Facebook and Twitter, and
capitalism, to the legacies of imperialism in the Global South over 5,000 on Instagram.
and using digital platforms to empower women at work. Our faculty’s expertise is drawn upon extensively by the
Before the leaders of the G7 countries convened in Cornwall global news media, from BBC News and the BBC World
in June 2021, we discussed the need for an agenda that Service to the Financial Times, The Economist, The Guardian,
revitalises international cooperation. With the climate crisis New Statesman, The New York Times, The Washington Post,
in a critical phase, our faculty and alumni were at COP26 CNN and Bloomberg. Coverage featuring our faculty
in November to discuss the promises made during the and research explored a range of critical topics, from
conference. And in honour of the UN International Day of cybersecurity and trade to COVID-19 vaccine mandates and
Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust global net zero targets.18 A GLOBAL COMMUNITY WHAT WE DO WHAT WE DO A GLOBAL COMMUNITY 19
A GLOBAL COMMUNITY The Blavatnik School community of students, staff and alumni represents different
countries and territories. In 2021, we welcomed degree students from 56 different
countries and territories.
Current students and staff
Past students20 ALUMNI PROFILE WHAT WE DO WHAT WE DO STUDENT PROFILE 21
ALUMNI PROFILE
CHERYL LO
MPP 2018, British and Hong Konger, Kwok Scholar
From wildlife activism to the UK’s Cabinet Office –
STUDENT PROFILE
tackling global issues through policy and advocacy
Cheryl Lo currently works at the Cabinet Office in in terms of the knowledge
FRANCISCO CARRILLO MAGNA
the UK government in a team of policy and strategy and skills she would MPP 2021, Chilean, Luksic Scholar
professionals focusing on the highest priority and most develop. Despite this,
complex issues facing the UK. Yet Cheryl’s experience Cheryl had never even Using innovation to fight Chile’s social crisis
before the Master of Public Policy was in an altogether thought about working
different field. for a government before Many who come to study at Oxford praise the city’s during the COVID-19
“Before the MPP I spent seven years working in the MPP, having enjoyed capacity to foster deep intellectual conversations, often pandemic. After this
wildlife conservation, focusing mainly on saving the the flexibility and strategy with perfect strangers. For Francisco Carrillo Magna, the intensity he felt the time
elephants and combating the illegal wildlife trade. I was focus of working in an NGO. Blavatnik School of Government is one such place where had come to return to
working globally, starting in Asia to close down ivory “During the MPP I learned a lot about how these conversations have flourished. study to reflect upon
markets and then in Africa to follow the whole supply government works. I did my summer project in Israel Francisco joins the MPP class of 2021 as a Luksic how he could contribute
chain of the illegal wildlife trade.” working on national security. It was really eye-opening Scholar with ten years of experience working in the to his country in the future.
By gathering evidence of the illegality of the trade, seeing how the conflict had affected civilians, how they government of Chile. An economist by training, When looking into public
strategically exposing the evidence to the media and built resilience and how the government envisions the Francisco’s career began as an analyst in Chile’s Ministry policy programmes, the Blavatnik
lobbying the Chief Executive and MPs in Hong Kong’s end of such a long conflict.” of Labour. This experience was foundational to his long- School was a standout. For Francisco, “no other
legislative council, Cheryl’s team managed to secure a After this experience, Cheryl felt the time had come term interest in policymaking: programme in the world has such an applied focus. It’s not
majority vote banning the ivory trade in Hong Kong in the for her to join a government to learn how it really works “A combination of luck and merit brought me just about learning equations or theories. It’s also about
context of a highly polarised parliament. and continue to drive change. When Cheryl began into high-level policy discussions at a very young age. networking, discussing policy challenges, considering
Despite her success in changing policy in Hong Kong, her post in the Cabinet Office it was “a steep learning I was part of a team of advisors at the ministry and perspectives from the private sector, NGOs, politicians
when campaigning internationally Cheryl was met with curve”. She began in the middle of the pandemic and on that experience taught me a lot about how policies and policymakers. If you’re planning to introduce some
much more resistance. Along with these setbacks at her second day was assigned into the UK’s COVID-19 are developed in the real world. You have to negotiate kind of transformation in your country, this sort of
work, she also began thinking about what the next steps taskforce. She has since been deployed to work on Brexit with others, you have to come to agreements. It’s training is important.”
in her career would be. and border issues. not just about the technical side of a policy but also The openness of the School community has made
“Working for seven years in my dream job was “The structure of the Cabinet Office and the work the politics. This really got me interested in settling into this new city and programme much easier
amazing but I was also thinking how do I expand beyond I’m doing changes all the time which actually suits policymaking.” for Francisco. Learning to confront prejudices and to
this, where can I go and what can I do? I felt the need to me. I’m used to working with a lot of uncertainty and Choosing to take a break from this career and understand the thinking behind others’ prejudices about
push both myself and my career further and that’s why I without structure, and I enjoy an ever-changing working undertake an intensive programme of study was no certain topics in policy has been eye opening. Francisco
started thinking about Oxford.” environment. I get exposed to a lot of challenging issues easy decision for Francisco. He had been working in a also praises the value of small classes for facilitating open
Cheryl chose the MPP for its international outlook and which has given me a real insight into how policies are demanding role at the Ministry of Social Development in discussions on complex philosophical themes in a non-
because she felt it would take her out of her comfort zone made and what government needs to consider.” Chile with high levels of responsibility that only increased judgmental environment.22 HIGHLIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS 23
HIGHLIGHTS
Selected highlights from the last year,
April 2021 to March 2022.24 COVID-19 GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TRACKER HIGHLIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS COVID-19 GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TRACKER 25
THE WORLD’S MOST-CITED
DATASET OF PANDEMIC POLICY
We launched the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response
Tracker in March 2020, just a few days after COVID-19 was
declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Two
years on, comparative information is as needed as ever.
Created quickly to respond to the urgent need for data and the cost of vaccination (whether paid by individual or UNICEF, the dashboard fills a critical gap to help understand COVID-19 related policy issues such as initiatives supporting
powered by a dedicated community of hundreds of citizen government); subsequently, we added an indicator to what can be done to achieve vaccine equity. women in work or negative repercussions on young adults.
scientists, the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response monitor ‘vaccine mandates’ where a government requires a We developed a 12-page memo on the political barriers
Tracker has established itself in the past two years as a vital certain group of people (or in some cases all adults) to get Impact to COVID-19 response that informed WHO’s 2021
tool for governments, researchers and decision-makers vaccinated. Global Preparedness Monitoring Board annual report; we
across the globe. Over the course of 2021, governments concentrated The tracker and its data continue to attract enormous interest contributed data and analysis for OECD’s ‘Government at a
Boasting over 3,000 academic citations on Google their efforts on increasing vaccine coverage among their from the public and the media, being featured in The New Glance’ biennial report.
Scholar, the tracker records real-time policies related to population, and as part of this effort, many governments York Times, Financial Times, BBC, Al Jazeera, The Economist, As long as the pandemic continues to shift and evolve,
containment, economic support, health and vaccination introduced restrictions that specifically targeted non- National Geographic, O Globo, El País, Le Monde, Asahi and therefore the policy responses that governments make,
in 187 countries and over 200 subnational jurisdictions. It vaccinated people. Finding a way to represent this Shimbun, and The Washington Post, to name just a few. We there will be a need for our data.
is also the only dataset of COVID-19 policy decisions still differentiation became a priority, so we introduced a way of have published articles in academic journals like Nature Human “Two years into the pandemic, we need comparative
publishing new data in 2022. reporting on any separate rules for vaccinated and non- Behaviour and the Journal of the American Medical Association. information on policy responses as much as ever. What
In an ever-changing policy landscape, the tracker has had vaccinated. Most importantly, the data is used directly by will the ‘new normal’ look like? How will countries respond,
to adapt quickly. But vaccines are not equally distributed. The WHO governments, international organisations and public health if at all, to new surges or variants? As the pandemic has
reports that (at the time of writing) only 1 in 7 people in agencies to inform their real-time decisions on COVID-19 progressed, policy responses have continued to evolve,
Introducing vaccine policies low-income countries are vaccinated, and COVID-19 responses. The feedback we get is that our data is vital to and we have expanded the data we track accordingly,”
vaccine inequity will have a lasting impact on socio-economic their work. said Thomas Hale, who leads the Oxford COVID-19
With vaccines emerging at the end of 2020 and being recovery in these countries. We are one of the organisations We’ve been providing regular updates to the UK Cabinet Government Response Tracker. But producing the Oxford
distributed throughout 2021, the world of pandemic policy who have been providing essential data for UNDP’s Office’s International Comparator Joint Unit, which updates COVID-19 Government Response Tracker is an immense
radically changed. We introduced a group of vaccine Global Dashboard on Vaccine Equity. Combining the latest the government and Prime Minister. We’ve also worked effort, and the School is currently looking for funding to keep
indicators in December 2021, covering vaccine prioritisation data on vaccination with socio economic data from regularly with the International Public Policy Observatory, the tracker going and bolster our ability to use the data to
lists, which population groups are receiving vaccines and multiple entities including the IMF, World Bank and providing data for their monthly global evidence scans on better prepare for the future.26 POLICY INNOVATORS HIGHLIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS LAUNCHING A NEW MSC 27
“
We are thrilled to offer the new MSc in
Public Policy Research. It will complement
our existing degree and executive
education programmes that collectively
seek to improve government around the
globe through education, research and
public engagement.
PETER KEMP, PROFESSOR OF PUBLIC POLICY AND
DIRECTOR OF THE MSC
”
A GROWING COMMUNITY OF
POLICY INNOVATORS
The MPP is a transformative opportunity for current
and future public sector leaders.
INFORMING PUBLIC POLICY DECISIONS
As many countries across the world move into the ‘living a return to in-person teaching in the building, and we WITH RIGOROUS RESEARCH
with COVID-19’ phase of the pandemic, the values of maintained the flexibility of a hybrid option where necessary
good governance and international cooperation remain to ensure that complying with government restrictions Launching a new MSc degree for creating robust, applied
crucial for the efforts to rebuild societies after global crises. would not impact upon our students’ experience. A record and impactful research for public policy applications.
The Blavatnik School’s mission to promote these values in 116 students from the class of 2021 received full or partial
increasingly polarised times continues in particular through funding to pursue the course, which corresponds to 82% of
the teaching of our Master of Public Policy (MPP) course. the class. Funding for the class of 2021 came from external In 2021 the Blavatnik School invited applications for a new research-led and in particular draw on the core faculty
Between January and March 2022, the admissions team scholarships including the Chevening Scholarship along 12-month interdisciplinary MSc in Public Policy Research. team’s extensive experience of applied public policy research
examined 893 applications to the course from a total of 104 with further funding from Oxford University scholarships Founded on the belief that robust, appropriately and policy impact. Senior practitioners from public policy
countries. In addition to this exciting geographical diversity, and from Blavatnik School of Government scholarships communicated, policy-focused research can contribute to organisations will also contribute to student learning and
the quality of applications has remained outstanding. such as the Political Leadership Scholarship, Public Service the development, design, implementation and evaluation of networking on the programme.
From the day that successful applicants receive their Scholarship and the Lemann Scholarship. For further detail public policies, the degree is designed for graduates who have The programme will provide students with an outstanding
offer letters, they are welcomed into our community. By the on scholarships, see pp.12–13. already completed the School’s Master of Public Policy (or education in how to conduct, commission or utilise research
time they join in September, all of our offer holders will have As we prepare to welcome our next intake of MPP an equivalent professional taught master’s degree) and who that can inform public policymakers and impact upon their
had the opportunity to connect with alumni and a member students in September 2022 while reflecting upon the wish to work in research-related roles within government decisions and, in doing so, the new MSc will contribute to the
of faculty, either the Course Director Professor Karthik first ten years of teaching in the School, we continue to or public policy-related organisations, such as NGOs, School’s mission to improve the quality of government and
Ramanna or Professor Jo Wolff, Professor Ciaran Martin, be inspired by the growth and innovation of this global consultancies and think tanks. public policy making across the globe.
Dr Emily Jones, Dr Maya Tudor (above) or Dr Tom Simpson. community of practitioners, a community driven by a shared The course will be taught by by faculty and academics We are excited to welcome the first class of
The Blavatnik School community has also been adjusting commitment to serving others in pursuit of a world better in the School and academics from other University students taking the MSc in Public Policy Research in
to living with COVID-19. The MPP class of 2021 saw led, served and governed. departments in Oxford. Teaching on the MSc will be October 2022.28 STUDENT PROFILE HIGHLIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS ALUMNI PROFILE 29
ALUMNI PROFILE
STUDENT PROFILE BEN ABRAHAM
MONA MURAD DPhil 2018, New Zealander
MPP 2021, British, Duke of Cambridge Scholar Employing rigorous research to fight the climate crisis
Championing the voices of minorities in UK policy When Ben Abraham was applying for DPhil courses, he New Zealand, where he had
was already certain he did not want to pursue a traditional already applied for a job at
When Mona Murad was coming to the end of her and legislative roles. career in academia. As a scholar of global environmental the newly formed Climate
undergraduate studies and about to join the UK civil Mona worked for the policy, Ben believed he could have a greater impact Change Commission.
service, she met Zahra Latif (MPP 2015) during her Department for Business, working more directly on policy. Ben had the
summer project at the Cabinet Office which made a the Department for “I really believe in the power of research as well as opportunity to help build
lasting impression on Mona: Housing, and in the former deep intellectual thinking. I knew these would be part of and shape the organisation.
“Seeing that another British Muslim woman was doing Brexit Department. my future but I wanted to do the DPhil in an environment During his time there, he worked
the MPP at Oxford made me realise I could do it. I think When the COVID-19 oriented towards making change in the real world.” on the Commission’s first strategic
that speaks to the power and importance of diversity and pandemic hit in 2020, Mona Ben’s research focus evolved during the course of his review of the whole of New Zealand’s economy, advising
representation.” was based in the Cabinet Office, DPhil at the School. While he originally wanted to explore how the country could meet its climate change targets.
Six years later, Mona joined the MPP after five the department responsible for supporting the Prime how non-state climate action evolved in oil-rich states, A year later, Ben found opportunity to pursue his
years in the UK civil service working across various Minister and his Cabinet. In a test of her resilience his supervisor, Thomas Hale, encouraged him to broaden international interests at the British High Commission
departments of the government. A Duke of Cambridge and morale, Mona was deployed to help government the analysis and consider the bigger questions behind in Wellington as the UK’s advisor on climate change and
Scholar, Mona was awarded full funding for her departments create policies in the fight against the this. This led to exploring how the different environmental COP26 in New Zealand and the Pacific.
outstanding commitment to public service in the UK. pandemic. During this effort, she advocated for ideologies of non-state actors were shaping the future of “This role was really appealing to me. It was a fixed-
“Having this scholarship means I can take full considering and incorporating the differing impacts of global climate governance. term contract, so offered me a chance to have a break
advantage of all the opportunities at Oxford without any COVID-19 on ethnic minorities into policymaking, which Ben built and analysed a huge database of non-state from working on domestic issues and get involved with
worry on my back about funding my studies. Being able she considers a highlight of her career so far. climate action initiatives across the world, involving the international scene again while all New Zealand’s
to join a group of outstanding UK civil servants who’ve Towards the end of July 2020, Mona decided it NGOs, local governments, businesses and multilateral borders remained closed.”
received this scholarship is also really incredible.” was the right time for her to apply for the MPP so she institutions. This work broadened his understanding of Ben returned in March 2022 to the Climate Change
Mona’s experience in the civil service began at an could reflect upon her experience in government and the possible avenues through which he could make a Commission, this time to work on a project reviewing a
interesting moment for UK policymaking. In September develop sharper thinking skills and strategic awareness. difference after the DPhil. partnership between New Zealand’s agricultural sector
2016, the UK had just voted to leave the EU and she was Mona feels her experiences at the School have begun Ben decided to spend some time in Beijing after and the government on pricing and reducing agricultural
put to work on the UK’s exit strategy in the Department to open up many avenues for exploration. Above all, graduating, having come to appreciate China’s ever- emissions.
for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Mona sees her time on the MPP as an opportunity increasing role as a pivotal actor in the global fight against “Given that the agricultural sector is both a massive
After a year Mona joined the UK Civil Service Fast to become a better problem solver, skilled at working climate change, before going home to New Zealand in pillar of New Zealand’s economy and a massive source of
Stream programme, a three-year training programme in with a range of different stakeholders and communities late 2019 and then to the US for work opportunities. our greenhouse gas emissions, reducing emissions in this
which participants move around different government to ensure maximum impact for the most vulnerable When the COVID-19 situation began to intensify in sector is really challenging. It’s highly politicised and goes
departments and work in a range of operational, policy people. early 2020, Ben made the tough decision to return to to the heart of our economy and our culture.”30 HOLDING NET ZERO PLEDGES TO ACCOUNT HIGHLIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS HOLDING NET ZERO PLEDGES TO ACCOUNT 31
“
The Net Zero Tracker is a critical resource
for the international climate change
community, especially as we hone in
our focus this year on transparency and
HOLDING NET ZERO accountability.
PLEDGES TO ACCOUNT NIGEL TOPPING,
UK’S HIGH LEVEL CHAMPION FOR CLIMATE ACTION AT
After COP26, at least 90 per cent of the
”
COP26
global economy is covered by some kind of
net zero pledge. But are targets genuine and
robust enough?
In May 2021, a Dutch court ordered Royal Dutch Shell to Relying on a combination of machine learning and a global
drastically deepen planned cuts to greenhouse gas emissions. team of trained volunteers, the Net Zero Tracker monitors in real
The landmark ruling extensively cited a report on net zero time both the quantity and quality of net zero targets and pulls it
targets practices published in May 2020 by Thomas Hale, all together in an easy-to-access and publicly available source.
Associate Professor of Global Public Policy. “From governments’ economic development plans and
As part of his focus on transational problems and climate corporate strategies, to investors’ portfolio targets and the
governance, Thomas has been working to clarify and analyse manifestos of regional government and city councils, the
net zero commitments. Net Zero Tracker helps us understand not just who is setting
Net zero has gone from a relatively obscure scientific net zero targets and where, but also how vigorous and robust
concept, to a demand of fringe activists, and finally to a they actually are,” says Thomas.
mainstream organising principle for mitigation in record Following COP26 in Glasgow, Thomas outlined in a memo
time. The Paris Agreement underlined the need for net zero, the next steps for an effective net zero governance system;
requiring states to ‘achieve a balance between anthropogenic in his view, pledges ought to become binding pathways with
emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse sufficient short-term actions to be credible. The Net Zero
gases in the second half of this century’. But as targets Tracker is planning to expand the range of entities that it tracks
and pledges proliferate, so does the need for measuring and be able to carry out deep-dive analysis.
effectiveness and, as in Shell’s case, to hold those actors to
account. The Net Zero Tracker is a project supported by Oxford Net Zero,
This is what the Net Zero Tracker sets out to do: it Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), Data-Driven
records and assesses net zero targets of 4,000 countries, EnviroLab, NewClimate Institute. www.zerotracker.net.
regions, cities and companies across the globe, highlighting Oxford Net Zero, of which Thomas Hale is one of the principal
which ones are genuinely ambitious, comprehensive, investigators, is an interdisciplinary research initiative based in Thomas Hale at COP26
transparent and accountable. the University of Oxford.You can also read
