Transforming Tomorrow
The Public and The Private
Published: 31 March 2025 at 07:00 Europe/London
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Episode notes
Are you a public or a private person? Or maybe a bit of both? It’s not always easy to say.
The same goes for how we characterise the public and private sectors. The private sector goes beyond a simple characterisation of making a profit – and the public sector beyond providing services for people. The boundaries are blurring – where do the public and private sectors meet, and how does their symbiotic relationship work?
Dr Martin Quinn is a Reader in OWT – which in his northern brogue suggests a life of vague reading lists and relaxed afternoons in a comfy chair. But he brings with him expertise in the private and public sectors, and how they play out in terms of politics and the environment.
We discuss the concept of public value, how the public sector can help the private sector flourish, whether the private sector operates for anything other than profit, and examine anchor institutions that provide sustained employment, and sometimes even a reason for towns and cities to exist.
Plus, as Martin searches for hope, we take a journey to the world of Thomas the Tank Engine – and Paul’s childhood on Sodor – discuss GCSE geography lessons; talk about how Venice – and Morecambe – changed during Covid; and reveal the joys of working with geologists.
Discover more about Martin’s research here: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lums/people/martin-quinn
Here is more detail on the Ministry of the Future book mentioned in the podcast: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ministry_for_the_Future
