logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2025
50m 55s

635. Can a Museum Be the Conscience of a...

Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
About this episode
Nicholas Cullinan, the new director of the British Museum, seems to think so. “I'm not afraid of the past,” he says — which means talking about looted objects, the basement storerooms, and the leaking roof. We take the guided tour. 
Up next
Jul 3
680. Can Universities Win Back Our Trust?
Dartmouth president Sian Beilock, a psychologist by training, made her name studying why people choke. Now she’s applying those insights to one of the most scrutinized jobs in America. No pressure! SOURCES: Sian Beilock, president of Dartmouth College. RESOURCES: "Growing share o ... Show More
49m 55s
Jun 26
679. Why Does Vanderbilt Keep Winning?
It’s a hard time to run a university: public trust is low, political pressure is high, and finances are fragile. But Daniel Diermeier, who trained as a political scientist, has Vanderbilt humming. How? He says the key is choosing magnets over wedges. SOURCES: Daniel Diermeier, ch ... Show More
1h 4m
Jun 24
The World Is (Still) Drowning in Sludge
Insurance forms that make no sense. Subscriptions that can’t be cancelled. A never-ending blizzard of automated notifications. In this update of a 2025 episode, Stephen Dubner discovers where all this sludge comes from — and how much it’s costing us. SOURCES: Benjamin Handel, pro ... Show More
54m 46s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
Who Owns History?
In 2023, Anderson Cooper reported that a large number of antiquities in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection had come to the world-class museum by way of theft. Ancient art had been looted from Cambodian temples fifty years ago and the Cambodian Government wanted them back ... Show More
38m 40s
Mar 2023
The business of returning treasures
David Reid delves into the debate around the repatriation of problematic art and treasures. He visits one museum in the north-west of England attempting to decolonise its collection by returning thousands of items to the countries and communities they were taken from. In this epi ... Show More
17m 55s
Apr 2025
Living Heritage: Dr. Tristram Hunt on Museums in a Changing World
In this episode, Violet Manners is joined by Dr Tristram Hunt, Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum and former MP, for a wide-ranging conversation about the role of museums in public life. They discuss how institutions like the V&A are evolving in the 21st century - from ad ... Show More
58m 26s
Sep 2025
The criminal trade in ancient objects
Many of us like to visit museums to see ancient artefacts in person – it's an exciting way to learn about the history and culture of different civilisations. But did you know that there are criminal networks which steal and trade these ancient objects? Neil and Beth discuss this ... Show More
6m 41s
Jun 2024
The Stuff of Museums
Mary Beard argues that 21st Century disputes about what museums should own - or give back - are far from being a modern phenomenon. 'Almost as far back as you can go, there have been contests about what museums should display, and where objects of heritage properly belonged,' wri ... Show More
10m 38s
Nov 2022
Museum Curator
Who decides what belongs in a museum? And how do they decide what is museum-worthy? Meet Dr. Jocelyn Imani, the National Director of Black History and Culture at the Trust for Public Land. She plays a significant role in documenting the Black experience and ensuring African-Ameri ... Show More
1h 2m
Oct 2021
Should Europe return looted African artefacts?
A British university college and a French museum are returning looted artefacts from Africa during the colonial era. Campaigners say other institutions should do the same, but not everyone agrees. So, should Europe return its stolen artefacts?  Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. With gu ... Show More
20m 20s
May 2023
0103 Lending a helping hand: The world of object loans
Have you ever wondered how objects are moved to and from the Museum? Hear from Loans registrar Chris Stewart as he shares the intricate process of borrowing and lending cherished objects. Please share your comments and feedback about the podcast! You can talk to us on Twitter @br ... Show More
29m 54s