KickBack - The Global Anticorruption Podcast

About KickBack - The Global Anticorruption Podcast

This podcast series features in-depth interviews with a wide range of corruption experts, on questions such as: What have we learned from 20+ years of (anti)corruption research? Why and how does power corrupt? Which theories help to make sense of corruption? What can we do to manage corruption? How to recovery stolen assets?

Publisher

KickBack

Category

science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

18 Mar 2019

Latest episode

16 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

152 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   16 Jul 2026

   152. on Corrupted Kingdom with Robert Barrington

   In this episode of KickBack, host Professor Liz David-Barrett is joined by Robert Barrington, Professor of Anti-Corruption Practice at the University of Sussex’s Centre for the Study of Corruption, to discuss his recently published book ‘Corrupted Kingdom: Britain’s Disappearing Integrity – And How We Can Get It Back’. The conversation explores the state of corruption in the UK and why a country often viewed as a model of good governance has experienced a significant decline in public integrity. Barrington reflects on his professional journey from historian and anti-corruption practitioner to academic, explaining how his work in the field shaped his understanding of corruption and institutional weaknesses. He discusses key ideas from his book, including “moral exceptionalism,” the “reverse Big Bang,” and how Britain’s confidence in its reputation as a clean country has limited recognition of domestic corruption risks. The discussion examines vulnerabilities in local government, failures of accountability in major public scandals such as Grenfell Tower, and the role of institutions and “influencing sectors” in promoting integrity. Barrington describes the UK’s fragmented anti-corruption framework as a “blindfold orchestra” that requires better coordination and leadership. He also shares insights into his favourite authors and highlights the importance of transparency, strong safeguards, and political commitment in rebuilding trust in public institutions. Link to the book: Barrington, R., 2026. Corrupted Kingdom: Britain's Disappearing Integrity – And How We Can Get It Back. London: Profile Books. Available at: https://profilebooks.com/work/corrupted-kingdom

2. 

   2 Jul 2026

   151. Bonnie Palifka on Measuring Progress in Anti-Corruption and Its Evolving Challenges

   In this episode of KickBack, host Robert Barrington is joined by Professor Bonnie Palifka, Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at Tecnológico de Monterrey, to discuss corruption research, measurement, and the evolving challenges facing anti-corruption efforts. The conversation explores Palifka’s journey into the field of corruption studies, from her early personal experience with bribery and extortion to her academic work applying economic theory and data analysis to better understand corruption. Additional themes include Palifka’s research on measuring progress towards UN Sustainable Development Goal 16.5, as well as reflections on the relationship between corruption and organized crime, including how weak governance can create opportunities for criminal groups to expand their influence. The episode concludes with Palifka’s recommendations for teaching future generations about corruption, economics, measurement, and the links between corruption, organized crime, and money laundering. Links to discussed publications: Palifka, B.J., Rodriguez-Garcia, G. and Garcia-Diaz, R., 2026. “To Substantially Reduce Bribery and Corruption in all Their Forms”: A Multidimensional Index of Progress on Sustainable Development Goal 16.5. Social Indicators Research, 182(1), p.17.

3. 

   18 Jun 2026

   150. Matthew Stephenson and Liz David-Barrett on Trends in Corruption and Anti-Corruption

   In this episode of KickBack, host Robert Barrington is joined by Professor Matthew Stephenson, one of the podcast’s original founders, and Professor Liz David-Barrett, Professor of Governance and Integrity and Director of the Centre for the Study of Corruption at the University of Sussex, to take a wide-ranging look at trends in corruption and anti-corruption. The conversation explores key thinkers and writers that have shaped their understanding of the field, as well as broader reflections on the state of corruption studies and whether there are grounds for optimism about anti-corruption interventions. They also revisit lessons from past cases of corruption and reform, and examine the relationship between democratic accountability, the rule of law, and corruption. Additional themes include the role of artificial intelligence in shaping approaches to tackling corruption, alongside discussion of the panel’s favourite books and films on the subject. The episode concludes with reflections on what they would most like to teach in a Master’s course on corruption, and which topics they see as most important for the next generation of students in the field. Links to discussed publications: Articles Cuèllar, M.F. and Stephenson, M.C., 2022. Taming systemic corruption: the American experience and its implications for contemporary debates. World Development, 155, p.105755. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2021.105755 Dávid-Barrett, E., 2023. State capture and development: a conceptual framework. Journal of International Relations and Development, p.1. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41268-023-00290-6 Dobson Phillips, R.., Dávid-Barrett, E. and Barrington, R., 2025. Defining corruption in context. Perspectives on Politics, pp.1-15. doi:10.1017/S153759272400286X Stephenson, M.C., 2020. Corruption as a self-reinforcing trap: Implications for reform strategy. The World Bank Research Observer, 35(2), pp.192-226. https://academic.oup.com/wbro/article-abstract/35/2/192/5857269 Wathne, C. and Stephenson, M.C., 2021. The credibility of corruption statistics. A critical review of ten global estimates, April, U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre, https://www.u4.no/publications/the-credibility-of-corruption-statistics Recommended viewing and reading Novine - Croatian TV drama 2016-2022 All the King's Men - Oscar-winning film of 1949 (re-made in 2006) No Longer At Ease - 1960 novel by Chinua Achebe

Who has been a guest on KickBack - The Global Anticorruption Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Nicole Rose
• AJ Brown
• Oguzhan Dincer
• Michael Johnston
• Rebecca Dobson-Phillips

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

20 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

33 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 59 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

82

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

90

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.