Blavatnik Book Launch: Billionaire Backlash
Date & Time
Thu, 29 Jan 2026
17:30 - 18:30
Venue
Blavatnik School of Government
Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6GG
Tickets
Get ticketsWhy you should come
AI-powered• Hear Pepper Culpepper explain how scandals like Facebook's can trigger positive policy reform.
• Analyze a decade of research on how public anger sparks "good populism" and better rules.
• Join Will Hutton to explore how corporate backlash can reinvigorate failing democratic systems.
About this event
Join the Blavatnik School of Government for the launch of 'Billionaire Backlash: The Age of Corporate Scandal and How It Could Save Democracy', the new book by Pepper Culpepper and Taeku Lee. The event features Pepper Culpepper in conversation with Will Hutton, moderated by Ngaire Woods, exploring the surprising story of how corporate scandals—from Enron to the Facebook privacy scandal—change the way the world works for the better. Drawing on a decade of research on policymaking and public opin...
Event Highlights
- •Official launch of the book 'Billionaire Backlash' by Pepper Culpepper and Taeku Lee.
- •Insightful discussion on how corporate scandals can lead to positive policy changes and protect democracy.
- •Features a conversation between high-profile experts Pepper Culpepper and Will Hutton.
- •Includes a post-event drinks reception and an opportunity to purchase the book.
- •Hybrid event format allowing for both in-person and online attendance.
Speakers
Pepper Culpepper
Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Blavatnik Chair in Government and Public Policy
Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and the Blavatnik Professor of Government and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government.
Will Hutton
Political Economist; President of the Academy of Social Sciences
Political Economist and current President of the Academy of Social Sciences.
Ngaire Woods
Dean of the School
Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government.
Programme
Book Launch and Conversation
A discussion on 'Billionaire Backlash' featuring Pepper Culpepper and Will Hutton, moderated by Ngaire Woods.
Drinks Reception and Book Purchase
A networking reception following the main talk with the possibility to purchase the book.
Gallery
What to bring / Requirements
- •Open to the public
- •Registration required
- •Free to attend
- •Attendees must specify if attending in person or online
Organized by: Blavatnik School of Government
Contact: enquiries@bsg.ox.ac.uk; +44 (0)1865 614 343