Sociology Staffroom

tutor2u Sociology

Join Katie from tutor2u Sociology and our special guests for lively discussion, support and encouragement for all GCSE & A-Level Sociology teachers. The Sociology Staffroom podcast is suitable for every Sociology teacher. Whether you're an Early Career Teacher, have taught for many years, or somewhere in between!

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118 episodes
Updated June 4

Episodes118

Newest first

May 22, 2025 · 35 min
Season 3 | Episode 13 | Education and Sustainability, with Dr Katy Wheeler
Senior lecturer in Sociology at the University of Essex, Dr Katy Wheeler, joins Katie in the Sociology Staffroom to discuss her research into how sustainability and environmental issues are taught in school. This is a fascinating discussion for teachers generally - how should we broach this subject - and for sociology teachers in particular, both in terms of the Education topic, and the places where the environment is in the spec (green crime, consumption, global development, etc.)
May 9, 2025 · 44 min
Season 3 | Episode 12 | Sociology and Education with Diane Reay
Professor Diane Reay from Cambridge University joins Katie in the Sociology Staffroom to discuss her research into education and social class, and her thoughts on the impact of recent policies on students as well as what might come from the new government. As you might imagine, from this famous author of Miseducation and many, many journal articles, she does not hold back!!
Apr 17, 2025 · 47 min
Season 3 | Episode 11 | "Teaching controversy: navigating British Values and political neutrality in the classroom", with Andrew Jones
Assistant headteacher, PhD student and experienced sociology teacher, Andrew Jones, returns to the Sociology Staffroom to discuss how teachers of sociology (and other subjects) can maintain political neutral in the classroom, as well as the limits to that neutrality. Another fascinating chat with this great returning guest.
Apr 3, 2025 · 59 min
Season 3 | Episode 10 | Gender, employment, social policy and inequality, with Dr Helen Kowalewska
Sociology lecturer at the University of Bath, Helen Kowalewska, joins Katie in the Sociology Staffroom to discuss her research into the impact of social policy on women and gender inequality. They discuss Helen's most recent research into women over the age of 60 (including the WASPI women) and the different research methods that she has employed. They talk about the often double-edge nature of social policy that can on the one hand help women but in other respects reinforce patriarchal assumptions (e.g. maternity leave). They also consider some of the reasons for why there has not been more progress towards gender equality.
Mar 20, 2025 · 50 min
Season 3 | Episode 9 | Personal and Family Relationships with Dr Katherine Davies
Dr Katherine Davies, from the University of Sheffield, joins Katie in the Sociology Staffroom to talk about her research into siblings and other family and friendship relationships, as well as her work on the impact of Brexit on families. She also discusses her qualitative and creative research methods. Definitely worth a lesson to hear about some contemporary research (relevant to families, education, identity, stratification and more) and research methods. https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526142177/
Mar 6, 2025 · 42 min
Season 3 | Episode 8 | Qualitative Research & Legal Aid with Dr Emma Cooke
Criminologist and sociologist from the University of Kent, Dr Emma Cooke, joins Katie in the Sociology Staffroom to talk about her journey into the subject and her research into the criminal justice system, as well as how we can support students for Higher Education. Want to add something really contemporary to your lessons on the CJS? Here's a good starting place! https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/the-hidden-world-of-the-legal-aid-lawyer
Feb 13, 2025 · 41 min
Season 3 | Episode 7 | Key words in essay questions with Duncan Hall
The Sociology Staffroom returns in a new "every other week" schedule with lots of great guests scheduled. In this episode, the subject lead for Sociology at tutor2u, Duncan Hall, joins Katie in the Sociology Staffroom to look at those important words that can be key to higher marks in Sociology essays. One area they particularly focus on is "today" and "contemporary" and the importance of contemporary research is an important focus for the rest of this academic year on the Podcast. Stay tuned folks!
Jan 2, 2025 · 39 min
Season 4 | Episode 9 | OCR and A LeveL Sociology, with Tom Gellinard
Subject lead for Sociology and Criminology at OCR, Tom Gellinard, joins Katie in the Sociology Staffroom to discuss what's coming up for A Level Sociology (and Criminology) at OCR over the coming years, and to talk about their new specification.
Nov 8, 2024 · 30 min
Season 3 | Episode 6 | Interactive Lessons with Richard Brinkley
Experienced sociology teacher Richard Brinkley joins Duncan in the Sociology Staffroom to discuss how to make lessons more interactive, including some great ideas!
Oct 17, 2024 · 34 min
Season 3 | Episode 5 | Engaging GCSE Sociology Pupils, with Rhiannon Watson
Experienced social science teacher Rhiannon Watson joins her old Sociology teacher Katie Tyler in the Sociology Staffroom to discuss issues relating to GCSE Sociology and how to engage and inspire the students.
Oct 3, 2024 · 38 min
Season 3 | Episode 4 | Applying the science of the brain to Sociology, with Zenab Farag
Experienced sociology teacher, Zenab, joins Katie in the Sociology staffroom to discuss how we can apply various aspects of brain science to our teaching as well as exploring some popular misconceptions.
Sep 26, 2024 · 41 min
Season 3 | Episode 3 | September Teacher Panel Discussion
In this episode, a teacher panel (consisting of Anna Lise White, Craig Gelling and Duncan Hall) discussed a range of issues relating to the start of a new term, mostly ones raised by teachers in the AQA A Level Sociology Teachers Group.
Sep 19, 2024 · 45 min
Season 3 | Episode 2 | Sociology & Literacy, with Richard Brinkley
Experienced sociology teacher Richard Brinkley joins Katie in the Sociology Staffroom to talk about the important links between sociology and literacy.
Sep 13, 2024 · 28 min
Season 3 | Episode 1 | Managing your ECT year, with Lizzie Skinner
ECT social science teacher Lizzie Skinner joins Katie in the Sociology Staffroom to discuss her experiences of ECT 1.
Jul 25, 2024 · 14 min
Episode 35 | Reflections on Season 2 with Katie and Duncan
Regular host Katie Tyler and subject lead for Sociology at tutor2u, Duncan Hall, look back on what's been a fascinating second "season" of the Sociology Staffroom and forwards to what's coming in September.
Jul 4, 2024 · 31 min
Episode 34 | Improving and Updating our Subject Knowledge, with Fran Nantongwe
Experienced teacher Fran (otherwise known as Norfolk Fran) joins Katie to discuss ways to check, develop and update our Sociology subject knowledge.
Jun 27, 2024 · 25 min
Episode 33 | Supporting High Achievers with Liv Le Poidevin
Experienced sociology teacher Liv joins Katie in the Sociology Staffroom to discuss how to support, stretch and challenge high achievers in A Level Sociology.
Jun 21, 2024 · 32 min
Episode 32 | Multicultural awareness with Anna Lise White
Experienced Sociology teacher Anna Lise returns to the Sociology Staffroom to talk to Katie about the importance of multicultural awareness in Sociology teaching.
Jun 6, 2024 · 44 min
Episode 31 | Teaching Global Development, With Bridget Gray
Experienced Sociology teacher Bridget Gray joins Katie in the Sociology Staffroom to discuss her experience of teaching the Global Development optional topic for A Level Sociology.
May 23, 2024 · 27 min
Episode 30 | Teaching Sociology Remotely, with Nicole Levy
Experienced teacher, Nicole Levy, joins Katie in the Sociology Staffroom to share her experiences of teaching sociology remotely, challenges and opportunities, and effective techniques.

Sociology Staffroom

Season 3 | Episode 13 | Education and Sustainability, with Dr Katy Wheeler

Season 3 | Episode 12 | Sociology and Education with Diane Reay

Season 3 | Episode 11 | "Teaching controversy: navigating British Values and political neutrality in the classroom", with Andrew Jones

Season 3 | Episode 10 | Gender, employment, social policy and inequality, with Dr Helen Kowalewska

Season 3 | Episode 9 | Personal and Family Relationships with Dr Katherine Davies

Season 3 | Episode 8 | Qualitative Research & Legal Aid with Dr Emma Cooke

Season 3 | Episode 7 | Key words in essay questions with Duncan Hall

Season 4 | Episode 9 | OCR and A LeveL Sociology, with Tom Gellinard

Season 3 | Episode 6 | Interactive Lessons with Richard Brinkley

Season 3 | Episode 5 | Engaging GCSE Sociology Pupils, with Rhiannon Watson

Season 3 | Episode 4 | Applying the science of the brain to Sociology, with Zenab Farag

Season 3 | Episode 3 | September Teacher Panel Discussion

Season 3 | Episode 2 | Sociology & Literacy, with Richard Brinkley

Season 3 | Episode 1 | Managing your ECT year, with Lizzie Skinner

Episode 35 | Reflections on Season 2 with Katie and Duncan

Episode 34 | Improving and Updating our Subject Knowledge, with Fran Nantongwe

Episode 33 | Supporting High Achievers with Liv Le Poidevin

Episode 32 | Multicultural awareness with Anna Lise White

Episode 31 | Teaching Global Development, With Bridget Gray

Episode 30 | Teaching Sociology Remotely, with Nicole Levy