Podcasts and videos

Better Boards Podcast on 14 August 2024

Recently, there has been a surge on social media stating that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are bad for business. Some of the world’s largest firms have also significantly reduced their investment in diversity and inclusion. But what does this mean for boards that do believe diversity and inclusion are good for business? Should they change how they approach this agenda, and if so, how?

Listen to the podcast here

Public Lecture Program Event on 10 June 2024

Recently there has been a surge in popular voices in social media stating that DEI is bad for business. There has also been a significant reduction in investment in diversity and inclusion by some of the world’s largest firms.

In this talk Grace Lordan outlined the logic behind these arguments, along with the conditions that cause diversity to be problematic for business growth. In contrast, Grace demonstrated the conditions that are needed to reap the rewards from diversity in business.

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The Better Boards Podcast Series on 2 May 2024

Diversity and inclusion are not evenly distributed throughout an organisation, and the view at the board level may not correspond with reality further down. This creates missed opportunities and prevents companies from unlocking the true potential of their talent and their organisations. Often, firms can increase productivity by doing more to be truly inclusive.

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Public Lecture Program Event on 5 March 2024

In this insightful discussion, Cally Beaton and Grace Lordan explored how comedy can both perpetuate and conceal sexism, while also having the profound ability to reveal and rise above bias and discrimination. The event offered a dynamic exploration of the complex interplay between humor and societal issues. Don't miss the opportunity to gain fresh insights into the world of comedy and its impact on shaping perceptions and challenging norms.

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Instagram on 14 December 2023

Many of us know that more inclusive and open workplace cultures create more productive and innovative teams. But achieving a healthy workplace can be difficult. One great tip is to focus on improving your team meetings, because meetings are a pulse point for team culture. Join Elizabeth Nyamayaro and Dr Grace Lordan in this insightful conversation. 

Watch here

TEDxTanglinTrustSchool on December 6 2023

Making connections is a necessary condition for international understanding and appreciating diversity. Constructive conflict is the meta-capability that we need to help us work together and achieve forward movement in spite of enduring differences. We can train to develop the habits and hacks of inclusive leaders. We need to engage in more, not less, conflict of the constructive kind in order to develop resistance against incendiary conflict of the destructive kind. We need education that not only emphasises analytical rigour, but also tools for navigating wicked, complex systems.   

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LSE Festival Event on 14 June 2023

Over the past 30 years, there has been a substantial increase in the percentage of people who feel they need to be perfect. The pressure we put on ourselves to be perfect and the expectations we feel from others and society-at-large can lead to depression, burnout and other mental illnesses, particularly amongst younger generations. How do we escape this perfection trap and embrace the idea of “good enough”?

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Anatomy of a Leader on May 30 2023

As an expert in inclusive leadership, women's progress in the workplace, and the future of work, Dr. Lordan shares her insights on career success. they delve into the barriers that hold individuals back from achieving their desired careers and discuss strategies for overcoming them. They explore the limiting belief of not being good enough and how imagination plays a crucial role in achieving goals. They also discuss the impact of gender differences and motherhood on career progression, as well as the importance of inclusive leadership in fostering diverse and productive environments. Finally, they debate the role of AI in recruitment and CV screening.

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HS Talks on February 15 2023

Dr. Grace Lordan is the Director of The Inclusion Initiative, economist and a labour market skills expert. Grace’s research focuses on inclusive leadership, women’s progress in the workplace, the future of work, productivity through diversity and individual success. In this conversation she discusses: Management framework, management training, gender norms, empathic leadership, inclusive leadership, role of the trainer, diverse mindset. 

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LSE Online on December 9 2022

Dr Grace Lordan, Associate Professor in our Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science, reveals the newest leadership hacks that will save you time, make your team more productive and improve psychological safety in LSE Online’s latest networking event for Online Certificate Courses alumni.

Watch here

The Leader published on November 2022

Millions of British workers are expecting a pay rise in 2023, with nearly a quarter of respondents to a recent recruitment survey hoping for at least 10 per cent extra.

It comes as nurses are negotiating for a 19.2 per cent increase, while unions recently secured 10 per cent plus a £2,000 bonus for workers at Rolls-Royce.

So, as the cost of living crisis bites and the recession’s forecast to last until 2024, are union demands realistic and what’s the best strategy for squeezing a few more pounds from your boss, particularly if they have a “high ego”?

Meanwhile, if you’re struggling this Christmas then please spare a thought for those hard-up bankers, who could soon receive unlimited bonuses after the Bank of England announced plans for a consultation on scrapping the so-called ‘bonus cap’.

To examine how wages are looking into 2023 and tips for handling those awkward money conversations with the boss, The Leader’s joined by Dr Grace Lordan, a labour economist at the London School of Economics.

Listen to the podcast here

Human Risk Podcast on 3 November 2022

One of the ways we can mitigate Human Risk is to have more diverse workplaces. On the latest Human Risk podcast, Christain Hunt is joined by Cecily Josten of The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)'s Inclusion initiative.

In a wide-ranging discussion, Cecily & Christain explore how Behavioural Science can help us create more inclusive workplaces. They talk about the skills that will be required in the future and how employers can help to develop environments that foster diversity and inclusion. They also discuss the impact that COVID has had on work and the importance of ongoing learning.

Listen to the podcast here

Bounce Forward on 11 October 2022

There is a connection between mind & body, and mental & physical health. Looking after our physical health improves mental health and vice versa. The mantra for being busy as a badge of honour, hectic weekends packed full of activities, being bored as a negative, particularly amongst young people. But recovery is essential, unless we recharge our batteries we are in danger of burnout. Taking intentional activity to recover – things that are low energy and create positive emotion is a vital learning about psychological fitness. How do you look after and protect your energy levels?!

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The Leader Podcast on September 2022

To find out what all this means for the pound in your pocket and the winter ahead, we’re joined by Dr Grace Lordan, a labour economist at the London School of Economics. We discuss gilts, personal finance, government stalling and hopes for Kwarteng’s forthcoming Halloween budge.

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Future of Work Hub on September 2022

Dr Lordan discusses the importance of leveraging under-represented talent in the workplace and the practical steps that businesses can take, particularly in light of the challenges presented by hybrid working. She questions the concept of the four-day work week, arguing that employers could instead increase productivity by reducing presenteeism and offering greater flexibility.

Moving on to technology, Dr Lordan touches on her recent research which finds that AI is actually less biased than humans when used in recruitment, and discusses the value AI can bring to employers. She also considers her research findings on automation, including the prospect of widening inequalities, and reflects on how the skills agenda needs to shift to accommodate the changing needs of businesses.

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Public Lecture Program Event on 15 September 2022

Usually people avoid dwelling on their regrets. In his latest book, which he discussed during this event, Dan Pink points to regrets as a beacon of our individuality that can be leveraged for better decision making and to understand our core values. Join Grace Lordan where she spoke to Dan Pink to understand more about the true value in understanding regret and using it to our advantage.

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BBC Sounds on 12 September 2022

Salaries are often kept secret in most workplaces - but times are changing. The BBC’s Deborah Weitzmann discusses implications for pay transparency policies and the gender wage gap. Deborah visits Flash Pack, a travel firm in London where staff members are open about their salaries.Deborah also hears from salary expert David Turetsky about why some people find conversations around pay difficult, and Dr Grace Lordan from the London School of Economics explains how openness about pay might benefit women and address the gender pay gap.

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The Decision Lab on 5 September 2022

In this episode of The Decision Corner, Brooke is joined by Grace Lordan, an associate professor of Behavioral Science at LSE and author of Think Big, Take Small Steps and Build the Future You Want. Together they discuss the importance of narratives in the workplace, and how the stories that we tell can improve opportunities, diversity, and well-being within organizations. 

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The Leader Podcast on 17 August 2022

Office for National Statistics data reveals wages plunged by 4.1 per cent in the last quarter, with pay now dropping fastest since 2001 when the latest records began. But historical analysis shows we’re actually suffering the biggest pay squeeze since Jim Callaghan was PM.

The Leader’s joined by Dr Grace Lordan, labour economist at the London School of Economics and Hannah Slaughter, senior economist at the Resolution Foundation.

Listen to the podcast here

Event hosted by The Inclusion Iniatiative and Special Olympics on 5 May 2022

This discussion included The Inclusion Initiative in collaboration with the movement of Special Olympics for a panel discussion with Special Olympics Athlete Leaders. During the event, the panellists discussed the current work of Special Olympics in support of individuals with intellectual disabilities, on and off the playing field.

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Event hosted by TII on 8 March 2022

In this special event to celebrate International Women’s Day Dr Christine Chow was in conversation with Elizabeth Nyamayaro about her outstanding leadership in launching one of the world's largest global solidarity movements for gender equality, HeForShe, in addition to her work in the UN and her best-selling book I am a Girl From Africa. 

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Hosted by The Inclusion Initiative on 13 September, 2021

At this event, Mary Ann Sieghart talked about her new book The Authority Gap, chaired by Grace Lordan, Director of The Inclusion Initiative.

The Authority Gap provides a perspective on the unseen bias at work in our everyday lives, to reveal the scale of the gap that still persists between men and women. Marshalling a wealth of data, and including interviews with pioneering women such as Baroness Hale, Mary Beard and Bernadine Evaristo, this is a fresh feminist take on how to address and counteract systemic sexism in ways that benefit us all.

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Hosted by The Inclusion Initiative on 9 September 2021

Celebrate and reflect on the success of the Pride movement through a behavioural science lens. Grace Lordan, Director of The Inclusion Initiative chaired this event and was joined by a cross-industry expert panel.

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Hosted by LSE Festival: Shaping the Post-COVID World, on 3 March 2021

Research has shown a widening gap in the likelihood of young people being in employment, particularly in banking, finance and insurance, and public administration, education and health. Teresa Almeida and Ganga Shreedhar discuss the need for more inclusive labour market policies to create opportunities for younger workers to counter the adverse, long-term impacts of COVID-19.  

Speakers: Teresa Almeida, Dr Ganga Shreedhar

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An LSE Festival Event, on 2 March 2021

Speakers: Teresa Almeida, Professor Paul Dolan, Professor Julian Le Grand, Dr Grace Lordan
Chair: Professor Tony Travers

What specific societal behaviours should policy makers want to shape as we move forward in a post-COVID world?  

We analyse what behavioural science research has added to the policy debate on COVID-19 so far, and what questions have been overlooked.

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Event Hosted by the Inclusion Initiative and the Department of Psychological & Behavioural Science on 25 November 2020

Speakers: Ann Cairns, Ruth Cairnie, Wanda Hope, Lance Uggla, Nate Yohannes
Chair: Dr Grace Lordan

The impacts of COVID-19 within firms include cost-cutting, a move towards virtual working for many workers and the pivoting of business objectives. These impacts of COVID-19 have the potential to erode the gains to inclusive culture that have been made within many firms over the last decade as focus is placed elsewhere. This is at a time when the benefits to having an inclusive culture have never been more needed. In this webinar we bring insights from the academic literature to a panel of diverse leaders and ask them what these insights mean for them in practice.

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WorkPride Global conference 2020 by mygwork- panel session on 23 June 2020

This session explores the role of Executives in building a strong culture of inclusivity through allyship. 

Moderator: Jane Hill
Speakers: Antonia Belcher, Deon Pillay, Tim Bardell, Dr Grace Lordan     

Watch the video here      

Financial Services Club Webinar on 9 June 2020

Covid-19 and its economic effects are not going away anytime soon. They will reconfigure our system, ranging from geopolitical relations to the power of national governments, from company accounts to working patterns. Karina Robinson analyses the new paradigm and figures out what this means for the City and Boards Of Directors.

Watch the video here

Read the related blog here

Event hosted by Banking Standards Board (BSB), Federal Reserve Bank of New York (FRBNY) and London School of Economics (LSE) on 14 January 2020

Speakers: Dame Susan Rice (BSB Chair), John C. Williams (FRBNY President and CEO)

Panel: Grace Lordan, Associate Professor of Behavioural Science at LSE, Celia Moore, Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Strategy at Imperial, Martin Oehmke, Professor of Finance at LSE, Tom Reader, Associate Professor of Psychological and Behavioural Science at LSE, Edmund Schuster, Associate Professor of Corporate Law at LSE.

The panel discussion explored the role of behavioural science in improving organisational culture within financial services firms, bringing together academics with senior leaders in finance and financial regulation to discuss how behavioural science can be applied within financial services to the benefit of the sector’s clients, customers and society as a whole.

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Event hosted by LSE Festival: Shape the World on 5 March 2020

A panel discussion on ‘Inclusion in the City’, a report that gives practical insights from behavioural science research to the problems and solutions posed by people who understand the financial and services industry the best: its own talent. 

This event also announced The Inclusion Initiative at LSE.

Speakers: Dr Grace Lordan, Karina Robinson, Brenda Trenowden, Irshaad Ahmad, Richard Nesbitt, Teresa Parker.

Listen to the podcast here