Between the Lines

The empathy fix: Why poverty persists and how to change it

Between the Lines

Show Notes

A poverty line of $6.85 a day, as used by the World Bank, indicates a substantial level of deprivation, impacting the lives of billions globally. Indeed, nearly half of the World’s population falls into this category. So, if poverty is something we all want to see less of, why does it prove so difficult to tackle and can empathy help fix it?

In this podcast, IDS Research Fellow Stephen Devereux is in conversation with Keetie Roelen, Senior Research Fellow from the Open University and an IDS Research Associate who talks about her book, The Empathy Fix: Why Poverty Persists and How to Change it.

In the podcast, Keetie exposes the realities of poverty – with examples from the Global North and South – and reveals why current policies don’t work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More from Between the Lines

Sep 9, 2026

The sudden collapse of USAID in 2025 sent shockwaves through Uganda’s HIV response and the people hardest hit are those the system was already failing.

Aug 17, 2026

As climate shocks become more frequent across East and Southern Africa, building resilience is critical to reducing poverty and improving wellbeing.

Jul 9, 2026

African countries must work more closely together at regional and continental levels if they are to overcome barriers to innovation and drive sustainable development, experts have warned.

Jun 17, 2026

Social protection is seen as a solution to many problems of development, including poverty, food insecurity and access to services. But we also know that social protection has its limitations. So how do we justify getting Governments to invest in social protection programmes rather than investing in infrastructure or job creation or other services like health and education?

May 27, 2026

IDS was recently honoured to welcome the Hon. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr Harini Amarasuriya to mark the 60th anniversary of IDS. She shared her journey from her career as an academic and an activist before entering politics and being elected as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka in 2024.

See all episodes →