Productivity Puzzles

Publicly listed emails

bart.vanark@manchester.ac.uk

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What Will It Take to Raise UK Productivity?

October 15, 2026

Is the UK’s recent productivity recovery a sign of lasting improvement? How could AI, technology adoption and shifting global economic conditions shape the country’s future productivity? This episode of Productivity Puzzles explores the challenges facing the UK economy, from weak technology diffusion and widening gaps between firms to trade, competitiveness and the priorities needed to support long-term productivity growth. Host Professor Bart van Ark is joined by: Professor Jun Du, TPI Ma...

The Productivity Impetus from Generative AI

July 30, 2026

Generative AI has moved from curiosity to everyday tool with remarkable speed. But the big productivity question is not simply whether people are using it; it is whether firms, sectors and economies can turn that use into lasting productivity gains. This episode of Productivity Puzzles explores the challenges and opportunities that Generative AI presents, centring on a new article just published in the International Productivity Monitor, the joint journal of the Centre for the Study of Livin...

Why do Firms (not) Invest?

June 25, 2026

Why do firms invest when they do and not necessarily when they should? Are firms too cautious to invest? Or just realistic about uncertainty? Is the real investment gap about money or about mindset? This episode of Productivity Puzzles explores why the UK has invested less than its peers, drawing on two brand-new studies from The Productivity Institute: one looking at how firms invest, the other at how managers think. Host Professor Bart van Ark is joined by: Tera Allas, Honorary Professor...

Real Time with WLP · Medium booking difficulty · 100 - 1,000 listeners

A Real Piece of Work · Low booking difficulty · 100 - 1,000 listeners

McKinsey Talks Talent · High booking difficulty · 1,000 - 10,000 listeners

How do I get in touch with Productivity Puzzles?

Productivity Puzzles is hosted by Bart van Ark. Its publicly listed email is bart.vanark@manchester.ac.uk. For guest bookings, the host or producer is usually the best person to reach. Podseeker helps you find direct host and producer contacts and pitch from your own inbox.

What is the email for Productivity Puzzles?

The publicly listed email for Productivity Puzzles: bart.vanark@manchester.ac.uk.

How many listeners does Productivity Puzzles have?

Podseeker estimates Productivity Puzzles reaches 100 to 1,000 listeners per episode. Only the publisher has exact numbers.

Who is an ideal guest for Productivity Puzzles?

Productivity Puzzles typically books industry leaders. Typical guest background: Senior academics and research leaders in productivity/economics/enterprise policy; senior executives or review chairs with national UK remit; university presidents/vice-chancellors or other prominent education/skills leaders; policymakers/monetary policy figures and established institute/programme leads. Common among recent guests: Leadership roles in national productivity or health/work reviews; University executive leadership (e.g., president/vice-chancellor); Research programme leadership at prominent institutes. Recent guests include Catherine Mann, Stephen Roper, and Tera Allas.

How hard is it to get booked on Productivity Puzzles?

Medium. Guests usually need solid credentials in the topic and an idea that fits the show.

What topics does Productivity Puzzles cover?

Recent episodes cover Productivity, Economic Policy, Workforce, Health, and Skills. Pitch an idea tied to one of these topics and mention a recent episode.