Do wicked problems need wicked solutions?

This panel discussion was part of the Bennett Institute for Public Policy Annual Conference 2025.

With the complexity of policy issues seemingly ever increasing, what reforms does government need to undertake if it is to fully get to grips with issues in areas like climate change, mental health,  and food security? Whilst there has been mounting recognition of the ‘wicked’ nature of these problems, there is much less certainty on what the solutions might be, and what the role of government might be in providing them. Should we accept that wicked problems are now simply too big to solve, or do we require a new leap of imagination to conjure solutions that match the complexity of the problems themselves?

The experts included: 

• Prof Laura Diaz Anadon, Centre for Environment, Energy and Natural Resource Governance, and Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge
• Prof Shailaja Fennell, Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge
• Prof Gordon Harold, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge
• Hosted by Prof Dennis Grube, Bennett Institute for Public Policy, University of Cambridge

Listen to other sessions from the Conference by visiting the Bennett Institute for Public Policy podcasts.