09/04/2026
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Addressing a packed audience, Dr Tett delivered a tour de force talk entitled: “Dazed and Confused: How to make sense of the new era of Geo-Economics.”
Dr Tett delivered an insightful and topical narrative of global geopolitics dating back to 1900. While her observations on the current 'breaking point' of the global political economy were sobering, she offered a balanced perspective by highlighting hopeful developments, particularly how technology has transformed the speed and scale of global communication.
Following the lecture, Wolfson's President, Professor Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu, joined Dr Tett for a conversation exploring the state of the world and the evolving role of women in leadership.
Dr Tett closed with a powerful reflection on progress: fifty years ago, it would have been nearly impossible for two women to lead a high-level conversation on such critical global topics. This shift serves as a beacon of hope and a reminder of the importance of continued advocacy.
Audience engagement reflected the complexity of the discussion, with questions focusing on topics ranging from the role of AI in reshaping society to gender in governance and how global dynamics might shift with increased female leadership. Students in the audience asked if there were still reasons for optimism, to which Dr Tett gave earnest and honest answers. Even with the current state of the world and conflicts in various regions, she believes that our society has made genuine progress and will continue to find ways to move forward.
Despite of the gravity of the topics discussed, the evening concluded on a high note. Beyond the benefits of instant global interaction, the speakers highlighted a significant milestone closer to home: women now make up nearly 50% of the Heads of House at the University of Cambridge.
"There was something for everyone in Gillian’s speech. A speech that gives hope in a period of war and suffering is quite a tricky thing to master. Facts, analysis and hope served up to us in such beautiful style." - Professor Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu, Wolfson President
About the speaker
Before joining King’s College, Dr Tett chaired the Financial Times (FT) editorial board, ran Moral Money, the FT's sustainability newsletter which she co-founded, and wrote two columns a week. Her earlier roles included US managing editor for the FT; assistant editor; capital markets editor; deputy editor of the Lex column; Tokyo bureau chief; reporter in Russia and Brussels. She was named Columnist of the Year (2014), Journalist of the Year (2009) and Business Journalist of the Year (2008) in the British Press Awards and received three awards from America's Society of Business and Economic Writers Awards. She is a best-selling and award-winning author of four books and received the Royal Anthropological Institute Marsh Award and the American Anthropological Association President Medal for her work in social science.
Watch the lecture
Dr Tett's lecture is available to watch on Wolfson College's YouTube channel.
