During the programme, you’ll be working on skills and frameworks that are essential today across all branches and departments of government in any country or international institution, including:

• Communicating effectively
• Harnessing digital technology
• Reducing cognitive bias in decision-making
• Strengthening organisational effectiveness
• Negotiating in the public interest
• Integrity in public life
• Professional coaching sessions

Please download the full programme agenda (note that this is subject to changes).

As is common practice at the Blavatnik School, we ask that you come to the programme prepared for discussion. We strongly recommend that you complete the essential readings in advance so that you and your fellow participants get the most out of the sessions.

During the programme there will also be a few short readings distributed for you to read in preparation for certain sessions.

Essential reading

1. Shakespeare on Leadership: We strongly encourage you to read the copy of Richard III that we have sent to you. You may find it useful to read this very short summary from the Royal Shakespeare Company. You may also find this scene-by-scene plot summary from the BBC helpful.
2. Integrity in Public Life: Political Action: The Problem of Dirty Hands (Walzer, M. 1973).
3. Harnessing digital technology: The Government Digital Service truly was once world-beating. What happened? (Greenway, A. 2020)
4. Strengthening Public Organisations: A New Approach to Contracts: How to build better long-term strategic partnerships (David Frydlinger, Oliver Hart, Kate Vitasek, 2019)
5. Governing in times of challenge and change: China’s Moment of Decision (Yasheng Huang, 2022)
6. Strengthening Public Organisations: Civil service reform in Ghana (case study). The instructions from Martin Williams for how to prepare for this case study session (which will take place on 11 July) are available here.

Preparation tasks

1. In preparation for the sessions on negotiation, integrity and technology please answer (by Wednesday 8 June) a few short preparatory questions from the faculty here.
2. You will be emailed additional survey links shortly about the tool shop sessions.
3. Please read this short note from Mary-Louise Clark, the Lead Coach, about what to expect from the executive coaching sessions and how best to prepare for them: Executive coaching – What to expect.

To assist you with your arrival and stay in Oxford, please download our arrival guide where you can read about transport, accommodation, meals and more key information.

Please also read these additional guidelines and conditions document before travelling, with important information on health, accommodation, and recommendation for travel insurance.

Welcome video

Ahead of your arrival in Oxford, please take a few minutes to watch this short welcome video from the programme co-chairs, to give you an idea of what you can expect during your stay in Oxford and at the Blavatnik School of Government.

The programme faculty are looking forward to meeting and engaging with you. Please see the relevant biography page for background information on each of the faculty members who you’ll be working with:

• Calum Miller (programme co-chair)
• Chris Stone (programme co-chair)
• Mara Airoldi
• Simon Buknall
• Pepper Culpepper
• Stefan Dercon
• Thomas Elston
• Emily Jones
• Clare Leaver
• Ciaran Martin
• Roxana Radu
• Tom Simpson
• Martin Williams
• Jo Wolff
• Ngaire Woods (Dean)

For any questions or additional information please contact eplp@bsg.ox.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1865 614544.

1. Governing in times of challenge and change
   • Ngaire Woods, What the mighty miss: the blindspots of power
2. Integrity in public life
   • Tom Simpson and Jo Wolff slides – Integrity in public life, Monday 4 July
   • Tom Simpson, Integrity – follow on reading
   • Thomas Nagel, Ruthlessness in public life
   • Bernard Williams, Politics and moral character
   • Max Weber, Politics as a Vocation.
3. Decision-making
   • Stefan Dercon, The pitfalls in decision-making, slides from Wednesday 6 July
   • Hallsworth, M. et al. (2018), Behavioural Government, Behavioural Insights Team, UK
4. Strengthening public organisations
   • ​​​​Martin Williams slides – Goals, Friday 8 July
   • Clare Leaver slides – Incentives, Friday 8 July
   • Thomas Elston slides – Feedback and organisational learning, Friday 8 July
   • Mara Airoldi slides – Partnerships, 11 July
5. Negotiation
   • Emily Jones, Negotiation skills for public policy – which captures the first session and includes some suggestions for further reading.
6. Multiplying your impact tool shop
   • Calum Miller, Multiplying your impact slides plus executive support office matrix