Episodes

  • E12 – The US Presidential Election 2024, Kamala Harris, and the Rise of the Far-Right. The Unofficial Report

    E12 – The US Presidential Election 2024, Kamala Harris, and the Rise of the Far-Right. The Unofficial Report
    Oct 28 2024

    In this episode of The Unofficial Report, hosts Ashley and Lucy dive deep into the upcoming U.S. election, exploring the critical issues shaping the race with special guest Dr. Maha Rafi Atal, Senior Lecturer in Political Economy at the University of Glasgow. Together, they discuss the global significance of U.S. politics for the UK and Scotland, the potential impact of Kamala Harris as a groundbreaking candidate, and the challenges of rising far-right movements. They also tackle key election issues like climate change, immigration, and how a potential second Trump presidency could reshape global affairs. Tune in for a timely and thought-provoking conversation on the intersection of politics, power, and identity in today's world.

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    57 mins
  • E11 - Professor Nicola McEwen on Devolution. The Unofficial Report.

    E11 - Professor Nicola McEwen on Devolution. The Unofficial Report.
    Aug 28 2024

    Welcome to our 11th episode of The Unofficial Report! The exclusively women-led podcast focusing on Scottish public affairs brought to you by WiPA Scotland.

    On this episode, Sarah and Ashley are joined by Professor Nicole McEwen, the Director of the Centre for Public Policy based in the University of Glasgow. Together we explored the complexities of devolution particularly in relation to Scottish Government, and the ever changing relationship with the UK Government. We discussed what devolution is, how we think its working in practice and what the new Labour-led UK Government means for Scottish Devolution.

    You can read more about the work of the Centre for Public Policy here: https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/publicpolicy/

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    47 mins
  • The Unofficial Report E10 - Close the Gap and Anna Ritchie Allan

    The Unofficial Report E10 - Close the Gap and Anna Ritchie Allan
    Aug 2 2024

    In this episode of the Unofficial Report, Sarah Cowie and Clare Slipper chat with Executive Director of Close the Gap, Anna Ritchie Allan.


    We have a fascinating conversation with Anna where we hear all about the crucial difference between the gender pay gap and equal pay; intersectionality within gender pay gap reporting; and what companies can do to make their organisations more inclusive!


    If you'd like to find out more about Close the Gap, visit their website here: https://www.closethegap.org.uk/
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    53 mins
  • Celebrating Pride 2024 with WiPA Scotland - In Conversation with Holly Bruce, Councillor for Scottish Green Party

    Celebrating Pride 2024 with WiPA Scotland - In Conversation with Holly Bruce, Councillor for Scottish Green Party
    Jun 27 2024

    In this live episode event, WiPA Scotland Co-Chair, Lucy Miller and Glasgow Councillor for the Scottish Green Party, Holly Bruce speak about their experiences of being bisexual women in public life.

    Lucy and Holly chat about coming out in both a personal and professional capacity, queer representation in Scottish politics and some interesting celebrity crush admissions!

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    49 mins
  • The Unofficial Report E8 - Elect Her and Hannah Stevens

    The Unofficial Report E8 - Elect Her and Hannah Stevens
    May 20 2024

    2024 is set to witness the highest number of people head to the polls, ever! It’s a big year for politics and a huge opportunity to see more women enter elected office.

    On this episode of the Unofficial Report, Ashley and Lucy are joined by Hannah Stevens, CEO of Elect Her, a not-for-profit organisation that work to motivate, support and equip women in all their diversity to stand for political office in Britain. We talk about all things representation of women in elected office, including: why men still hold the majority of elected positions, what needs to change to empower more women to run, and some examples of work that exists to dismantle the structures that hold women back.

    If you want to hear more about Elect Her, you can go to:

    • Website: https://www.elect-her.org.uk/
    • Twitter/X & Instagram: @ElectHer_UK
    • Email: community@elect-her.org.uk

    Resources mentioned in this episode:

    • Gender sensitive audit of the Scottish Parliament: https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/spcb/gender-sensitive-audit.pdf
    • The Equal Representation Coalition’s Equal Representation Tool Kit: https://www.equalrepresentation.scot/
    • Resources on running for elected office: https://www.elect-her.org.uk/resource-hub
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    45 mins
  • The Unofficial Report E7 - Financial Literacy, Women's Spaces, and Girlbossification

    The Unofficial Report E7 - Financial Literacy, Women's Spaces, and Girlbossification
    Apr 5 2024

    In this latest episode of The Unofficial Report, Lucy Miller and Sarah Cowie discuss their thoughts on some of the topics raised at our recent Women in Finance event, kindly sponsored by RBS. As well as musings on life and politics, financial literacy and *girllbossification*.

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    45 mins
  • The Unofficial Report E6 - IWD24 with Jenni Snell CEO at The Young Women's Movement Scotland

    The Unofficial Report E6 - IWD24 with Jenni Snell CEO at The Young Women's Movement Scotland
    Mar 1 2024
    Join Clare and Sarah for this International Women's Day themed episode of The Unofficial Report! On this episode, we're joined by Jenni Snell, CEO at The Young Women's Movement Scotland. Tune in to hear all about Jenni's journey to becoming a CEO, what needs to change in the public affairs sector to support women into senior leadership roles, and some of the work of YWM including their recent report into young women's experiences of healthcare in Scotland. You can find more information about the work of YMS and their recent reports, and how to get involved below: Young Women’s Health & Wellbeing Status of Young Women in Scotland report 22/23 - https://www.youngwomenscot.org/syws / Safe Access Zones – https://www.youngwomenscot.org/blog/young-women-and-safe-access-zonesEmBody to EmPower toolkit - https://www.youngwomenscot.org/embody-to-empower Young Women’s Leadership Developing Young Women’s Feminist Leadership: Young Women Lead - https://www.youngwomenscot.org/young-women-lead & Empowering Pathways https://www.youngwomenscot.org/empowering-pathwaysClimate Justice emerging area of work e.g. Ecocide Bill Response https://www.youngwomenscot.org/blog/young-women-ecocide-and-feminist-climate-justice Recent YWM and women’s sector policy wins/success stories: Young Women Lead Glasgow work on Feminist Town planning was pivotal in Glasgow becoming the first city in the UK to embed feminist lens in planning in 2022 - https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6413232bf29ba901ed614415/t/64367fbd46b4f85cb868823c/1681293269338/YWL+Glasgow.pdfIn 2022 our Young Women Rise research informed service design change at a national level with Scottish Women’s Aid and led to further local research and service design change for example in Edinburgh Rape Crisis & Women’s Aid East and Midlothian https://www.ercc.scot/your-vision-support-for-young-women-in-east-lothian-2/YWM's Status of Young Women in Scotland Research (2023) is being used to inform the next Women’s Health Plan and we’re currently working with SG Women’s Health plan team on more specific topics for example young women’s relationship with contraception.Currently working on the Safe Access Zones Bill and we’re providing evidence to parliament on why we believe the bill is needed. Hopeful that bill will pass will bring about much needed and overdue change for women. Ways to get involved with YWM in coming year Join us at events - Feminist Wellbeing Workshops taking place this year which will be launched soon.Young Women Lead – launching in March (on the theme of democratic wellbeing)Research (co-design groups, participatory research/peer research) – finalising a few details on a couple of projects but information on how to get involved will be shared on socials and website. Survey for Cost of Living research will be coming out in April.Co-design campaigns – We’ll be launching recruitment for a new campaign in early summer.Volunteer with us – opportunities are shared on our website & Social and include blog editors and event volunteers.Shape our policy responses through our survey/events.Fundraise for us – new fundraising pack launching on IWDBusinesses, charities and public services can also commission us to conduct research, audits and deliver trainings and policy support in relation to gender-equality and young women in the workplace.For more info, go to our website: https://www.youngwomenscot.org/ or follow us on X/Twitter and Instagram @youngwomenscot
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    41 mins
  • The Unofficial Report E5 - Welcome to 2024!

    The Unofficial Report E5 - Welcome to 2024!
    Jan 19 2024

    For the first episode of 2024, new podcast co-leads Sarah Cowie and Ashley McLean chat to our new co-chairs Lucy Miller, Ellie Wagstaff and Jodie Hedley about their plans for WiPA in 2024 and beyond, as well as musings on politics, careers, and most importantly, The Traitors.

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    45 mins