The received wisdom often views corruption as a domestic problem, internal within each country. However, Ricardo Soares de Oliveira, professor of Political Science at CERI–Sciences Po, challenges this view, arguing that «over the years, we have come to realise that corruption is more a matter of global governance and, in many ways, a feature of the global economy».

In this episode of «It's not that simple», the political scientist demonstrates how the international financial system creates conditions for illegal practices to flourish through legal mechanisms. Essentially, the distinction between legal and illegal may be less clear-cut than it appears.

In light of this, the Oxford researcher goes on to highlight one of contemporary academia’s primary concerns, namely, how some regions lead (or abandon) the anti-corruption agenda.

While acknowledging the Western origins of the fight against corruption, the expert nevertheless criticises the disunity, inconsistency and hypocrisy of Western countries in this area. He contends that the UK and Switzerland, for example, «have sought to defend their financial sectors – particularly offshore ones – by refusing financial reform, especially in terms of transparency».

Soares de Oliveira points out how, during the last five years, this hypocrisy has given way to a great deal of scepticism, not only regarding transparency laws but also the role of NGOs. «We are experiencing a decline in the ability to influence decision-makers to adopt reformist measures», he warns.

The constantly shifting landscape is producing new challenges. One such challenge is cryptocurrencies, which add layers of risk and escape traditional control mechanisms – mechanisms that Soares de Oliveira claims were already ineffective in many cases.

More on the topic:

Profile of Ricardo Soares de Oliveira, University of Oxford

«Corrupção», by Luis de Sousa (FFMS Bookstore)

Ricardo Soares de Oliveira: «As elites angolanas não confiam no futuro do país» (Público)

For decades, we believed DNA held all the answers. But biologist Alfonso Martínez Arias offers a different view: «Genetics is simple, the problem is thinking it’s the answer to who we are».

In this live episode of «It's not that simple», recorded at the Salão Nobre of the University of Lisbon, the researcher from Pompeu Fabra University explains why the 21st century will be the century of the cell. Cells communicate, cooperate, and organize to form complex organisms and it’s in this interaction that the secret of life may lie.

Martínez Arias invites us to take a step back and look beyond the genome. The 20th century was the century of the gene: we discovered DNA and completed the human genome. But when the biologist observes the human body through the lens of its cells, he finds a different story.

According to him, «genes are mechanisms that cells use», and he compares them to IKEA tools: a hammer and screws are not enough to build a piece of furniture; you also need the plan, and that plan only the cells know.

From stem cell studies to organoids - small lab-grown replicas of human organs - Martínez Arias shows how biology is reshaping the way we understand development, disease, and even aging.

He believes this shift in focus, from genes to cells, will transform medicine. But could these new discoveries transform us too?

More on the topic

«The Master Builder: How The New Science Of The Cell Is Rewriting The Story Of Life», Alfonso Martínez Arias (John Murray Press)

«Elissa Epel: Genetics, chronic stress and ageing» (Science and Education Month, FFMS)

«Svante Pääbo: How genetics tells our human story» (Science and Education Month, FFMS)

«The Incompleteness of Evolution», with Alfonso Martínez Arias

How far should a reporter go in search of the truth? Investigative journalism demands time, resources, and risk. In this episode of «It's not that simple», with journalist Mariana van Zeller, we discover that in her profession there are no shortcuts.

A childhood curiosity took her to Columbia University in New York. From there, she set off on an adventure across more than 80 countries. But what drives someone to infiltrate clandestine networks, cross dangerous borders, and expose themselves to risk just to tell a story?

The stories she uncovers are not easy, but they justify the Peabody, DuPont and Emmy awards she has received. From drug cartels to arms traffickers, from corruption to migration routes, each episode demands months of preparation, risky travel, and moments of real tension.

«There is a line we should never cross, but we must always come back with chalk on our feet», says Mariana van Zeller, describing her balance between safety and risk.

In an era dominated by the attention economy, and, as she says, also by the «economy of rage», where does truth stand? With information becoming disposable, shaped by social media and algorithms, her work gains new urgency: «Investigative journalism is the pursuit of truth, and truth is essential for a healthy democracy.»

More on the topic

«Trafficked», with Mariana van Zeller, National Geographic
«Immigration Barometer: the view of the Portuguese», FFMS
«Mariana van Zeller, the investigative journalist who goes deep into empathy», ECO

Interview with Mariana van Zeller, RTP