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The We Society with Will Hutton

Academy of Social Sciences

Will Hutton and guests explore the big ideas in Social Science that can change the way
we live.

Beyond the politics, beyond our geography are the intangible connections that hold us
together – The We Society.

Brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences in association with the Nuffield
Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust, The We Society explores the thousands of ways
Social Science can help us understand and enhance this complicated and fascinating
human network.

From social policy to human geography, misinformation to healthcare and AI to the war
in Ukraine, leading experts, academics and public figures share the knowledge that
matters.

So if you’re ready for research-led insights and engaging conversations, why not make
The We Society your next listen?

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S12 · E2
Wednesday · 32 min
S12 Ep2: The New Space Age: The future of humanity in space with Professor Andrew Futter
Human activity in outer space has surged dramatically in recent years, in what some are calling the dawn of a new space age. And there’s big money to be made, with some estimates suggesting that the global space industry could generate revenues of more than $1tn within the next two decades. But as our activities in space ramp up, big questions over who gets to control, and benefit from space and how we prevent today’s space race from reproducing the inequalities and conflicts on our planet are urgently needed. In this episode of the We Society podcast, Professor Andrew Futter, Director of the University of Leicester’s newly opened Leverhulme Centre for Humanity and Space, joins host Will Hutton to discuss the centre’s ambitious research programme and its vision, as the first centre of its kind to look at space through a social sciences lens. They discuss the urgent need to address the challenges and opportunities of this new global chapter, including whether we are asking the necessary social, political and ethical questions quickly enough. Andrew Futter is Professor of International Politics at the University of Leicester. His new book, ‘The Third Nuclear Age’, examines another frontier shaped by extraordinary technological change, the nuclear age and the increasingly complex relationship between technology, geopolitics, security and society. This episode is ideal for listeners interested in topical issues, outer space, nuclear technologies, and how the social sciences can help shape humanity’s next chapter in space. In the We Society, join acclaimed journalist and Academy of Social Sciences president Will Hutton, as he invites guests from the world of social science to explore the stories behind the news and hear their solutions to society’s most pressing problems. In this series social science calls on aspects of business, education, economics, geopolitics, healthcare, human geography and more, exploring their impact on society and the social policy they can inspire. The We Society is for those interested in how social science impacts their world, and how evidence backed research can improve it. Don’t want to miss an episode? Follow the show on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us on wesociety@acss.org.uk and tell us who we should be speaking to. The We Society podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences in association with the Nuffield Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust.
S12 · E1
October 28 · 30 min
S12 Ep1: Why we need each other, not our devices: The science of social connection with Professor Nick Epley
Around the world, we are experiencing an epidemic of loneliness, and it’s increasing, particularly among the millennial generation and younger. Our devices and modern living have made it easier to avoid talking with the people around us and it’s become increasingly easy to spend large amounts of time alone. In a world that many people see as divided, with distrust and political differences driving people apart, building social connections could also play an important role in tackling wider social problems. In this episode of the We Society with Will Hutton, Will speaks to Nick Epley, the John Templeton Keller Distinguished Service Professor of Behavioural Science at the University of Chicago. After an encounter with a stranger on his commute into work one morning, he became fascinated with the paradox that on the one hand we know that social interaction is vitally important for our wellbeing yet we often avoid it. With more than a decade’s worth of research, involving over 30,000 people and around 130 experiments, his aim was to uncover the reasons why we shy away from social interactions. And reassuringly, his results repeatedly found that people generally enjoy social interactions more than they expected to/expect. He talks to Will Hutton about his latest book published this year, ‘A Little More Social: How Small Choices Create Unexpected Happiness, Health, And Connection’ (2026), in which he examines why it matters for our wellbeing and for the societies we live in to be a little more social. He explains that building social connections starts with the choices we make and that small actions, such as talking to a stranger or choosing to call rather than text, can have a positive impact on both ourselves and others. He also discusses how making these actions a regular habit can help us develop stronger connections over time. This episode is ideal for listeners interested in topical issues, behavioural science, wellbeing, and how we can address the problems surrounding loneliness and loss of connection. In the We Society, join acclaimed journalist and Academy of Social Sciences president Will Hutton, as he invites guests from the world of social science to explore the stories behind the news and hear their solutions to society’s most pressing problems. In this series social science calls on aspects of business, education, economics, geopolitics, healthcare, human geography and more, exploring their impact on society and the social policy they can inspire. The We Society is for those interested in how social science impacts their world, and how evidence backed research can improve it. Don’t want to miss an episode? Follow the show on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us on wesociety@acss.org.uk and tell us who we should be speaking to. The We Society podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences in association with the Nuffield Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust.
S11 · E9
October 23 · 2 min
S11 Ep9: Season 12 of the We Society Launches Wednesday 28th!
The We Society returns for its 12th season on Wednesday, so join acclaimed journalist and Academy of Social Sciences president Will Hutton, as he invites guests from the world of social science to explore the stories behind the news and hear their solutions to society’s most pressing problems. In this series social science calls on aspects of business, education, economics, geopolitics, healthcare, human geography and more, exploring their impact on society and the social policy they can inspire. The We Society is for those interested in how social science impacts their world, and how evidence backed research can improve it.
S11 · E8
September 1 · 36 min
S11 Ep8: Searching for a good life: Data analysis and Google with Simon Rogers
Google processes billions of searches every day, and the data behind the searches say a lot about us. The data analysis presents fascinating insights not just for social science, but for every person using search engines to navigate modern life. In the final episode of Season 11 of the We Society with Will Hutton, join Simon Rogers, Data Editor at Google, and author of What We Ask Google, as he talks about the two decades of data from the world’s biggest search engine that reveal our inner desires, moods and secrets. The data analysis findings are uplifting, with less division and cynicism than you'd expect, and a lot more curiosity, confusion, and kindness. This episode is ideal for listeners interested in topical issues, social science, data analysis, and internet history. In the We Society, join acclaimed journalist and Academy of Social Sciences president Will Hutton, as he invites guests from the world of social science to explore the stories behind the news and hear their solutions to society’s most pressing problems. In this series social science calls on aspects of business, education, economics, geopolitics, healthcare, human geography and more, exploring their impact on society and the social policy they can inspire. The We Society is for those interested in how social science impacts their world, and how evidence backed research can improve it. Don't want to miss an episode? Follow the show on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us at wesociety@acss.org.uk to tell us who we should be speaking to. The We Society podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences in association with the Nuffield Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust. Producer: Emily Uchida Finch Assistant Producer: Emily Gilbert A Whistledown Production for the Academy of Social Sciences
S11 · E7
August 26 · 31 min
S11 Ep7: The USA 250 years after Independence with Adam Smith
It's the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this year, but the mood isn’t purely about celebration. If you've wondered why the US and US politics feel so unstable despite the country being richer and more powerful than ever, this episode explains the paradox. In this episode of the We Society with Will Hutton, join Adam Smith, Professor of United States Politics & Political History at the University of Oxford, and Edward Orsborn, Director of the Rothermere American Institute. They discuss why the country that once called itself "humanity's last best hope" is now better known for polarisation, misinformation, and political gridlock than democratic optimism. For more on US politics and political history, find Adam Smith’s podcast here: https://www.rai.ox.ac.uk/podcast This episode is ideal for listeners interested in topical issues, contemporary US politics, US history and British / US relations. In the We Society, join acclaimed journalist and Academy of Social Sciences president Will Hutton, as he invites guests from the world of social science to explore the stories behind the news and hear their solutions to society’s most pressing problems. In this series social science calls on aspects of business, education, economics, geopolitics, healthcare, human geography and more, exploring their impact on society and the social policy they can inspire. The We Society is for those interested in how social science impacts their world, and how evidence backed research can improve it. Don't want to miss an episode? Follow the show on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us at wesociety@acss.org.uk to tell us who we should be speaking to. The We Society podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences in association with the Nuffield Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust. Producer: Emily Uchida Finch Assistant Producer: Emily Gilbert A Whistledown Production for the Academy of Social Sciences
S11 · E6
August 19 · 32 min
S11 Ep6: How can we fix the special needs system in England’s schools? with Alice Reeves
The UK’s Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) system is buckling because of rising demand. One in five children now qualify for some form of SEND support, yet access still depends heavily on postcode and parental intervention. In this episode of the We Society with Will Hutton, join Alice Reeves, Research Grants and Programmes Manager at the Nuffield Foundation, as she unpacks the root causes of the SEND crisis, and what the government's new SEND White Paper proposes to do about it. The Nuffield Foundation is an independent charitable trust with a mission to advance educational opportunity and social well-being. They tackle the UK's biggest social challenges by funding research and guiding decision-makers to improve people's lives. To find out more about the research the Nuffield Foundation has funded when it comes to education go here. You can read more about the Government’s SEND White paper here. This episode is ideal for listeners interested in topical issues, the UK’s education system, disability, and institutional change in education. In the We Society, join acclaimed journalist and Academy of Social Sciences president Will Hutton, as he invites guests from the world of social science to explore the stories behind the news and hear their solutions to society’s most pressing problems. In this series social science calls on aspects of business, education, economics, geopolitics, healthcare, human geography and more, exploring their impact on society and the social policy they can inspire. The We Society is for those interested in how social science impacts their world, and how evidence backed research can improve it. Don't want to miss an episode? Follow the show on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us at wesociety@acss.org.uk to tell us who we should be speaking to. The We Society podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences in association with the Nuffield Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust. Producer: Emily Uchida Finch Assistant Producer: Emily Gilbert A Whistledown Production for the Academy of Social Sciences
S11 · E5
August 11 · 27 min
S11 Ep5: Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine: what does social science tell us? with Michael Kofman
The ongoing war in Ukraine has recently hit a grim milestone: in June 2026 it surpassed the duration of World War One. In this episode of the We Society, Michael Kofman talks to host Will Hutton about why what began as a bid for quick victory has become a grinding war of attrition, and now exhaustion, and how a social science lens aids his understanding of the conflict. Michael Kofman is one of the world's foremost authorities on the Russian military and the war in Ukraine. A senior fellow in the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, he regularly presents evidence-led analysis of a conflict now in its fourth year. Born in Ukraine and travelling to the country every few months, he brings a rare combination of academic expertise and first-hand observation to a war that has reshaped modern warfare. This episode is ideal for listeners interested in topical issues, the war in Ukraine, the efficacy of international sanctions and modern warfare. In the We Society, join acclaimed journalist and Academy of Social Sciences president Will Hutton, as he invites guests from the world of social science to explore the stories behind the news and hear their solutions to society’s most pressing problems. In this series social science calls on aspects of business, education, economics, geopolitics, healthcare, human geography and more, exploring their impact on society and the social policy they can inspire. The We Society is for those interested in how social science impacts their world, and how evidence backed research can improve it. Don't want to miss an episode? Follow the show on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us at wesociety@acss.org.uk to tell us who we should be speaking to. The We Society podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences in association with the Nuffield Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust. Producer: Emily Uchida Finch Assistant Producer: Emily Gilbert A Whistledown Production for the Academy of Social Sciences
S11 · E4
August 5 · 28 min
S11 Ep4: The crisis of constant crisis with Danny Dorling
In today’s global media landscape we are confronted with seemingly endless urgent crises: issues like the housing crisis, the climate crisis and the wealth inequality crisis all vie for our attention, despite social science research proving these issues are often more nuanced than the headlines would have us believe. In this episode of the We Society, host Will Hutton and Danny Dorling discuss his latest book, The Next Crisis, which explores our growing obsession with the language of crisis. Today's public debate often presents every challenge as a huge existential emergency. Drawing on global survey data and historical evidence, Dorling asks which crises genuinely deserve our attention, which have been exaggerated, and how constant exposure to alarming headlines may itself be fuelling anxiety and pessimism. Professor Danny Dorling is one of Britain's leading social geographers. His social science research uses cutting-edge data visualisation to uncover the unseen social forces shaping modern Britain, from housing, health, employment, education, wealth and poverty. This episode is ideal for listeners interested in topical issues, social geography, the housing crisis and global media debate. In the We Society, join acclaimed journalist and Academy of Social Sciences president Will Hutton, as he invites guests from the world of social science to explore the stories behind the news and hear their solutions to society’s most pressing problems. In this series social science calls on aspects of business, education, economics, geopolitics, healthcare, human geography and more, exploring their impact on society and the social policy they can inspire. The We Society is for those interested in how social science impacts their world, and how evidence backed research can improve it. Don't want to miss an episode? Follow the show on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us at wesociety@acss.org.uk to tell us who we should be speaking to. The We Society podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences in association with the Nuffield Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust. Producer: Emily Uchida Finch Assistant Producer: Emily Gilbert A Whistledown Production for the Academy of Social Sciences
S11 · E3
July 29 · 34 min
S11 Ep3: Why Britain should back more innovators with Saul Klein
Saul Klein is one of Europe's leading venture capitalists and co-founder of Phoenix Court, the venture capital firm behind some of Britain's most successful high-growth technology companies. He likes to say he is investing with venture capital in ‘practical science fiction’. Having spent more than three decades backing entrepreneurs, he has helped build companies including Monzo - now a well-recognised online bank. He also serves on the Prime Minister's Council for Science and Technology, advising the government on how Britain can strengthen its innovation economy. In this episode of The We Society, Saul speaks to host Will Hutton about how Britain outperforms most other countries when it comes to innovation. They discuss why Britain's pension funds have historically invested so little in the country's own innovation economy, what recent reforms could change, and why stronger links between venture capital, government and entrepreneurship are essential if Britain is to improve productivity and living standards. Economics is one of the disciplines comprising the social sciences, with the creation and distribution of wealth a dynamic and often controversial topic. This episode is ideal for listeners interested in topical issues, economics, innovation, the possibilities of venture capital and UK entrepreneurship. In the We Society, join acclaimed journalist and Academy of Social Sciences president Will Hutton, as he invites guests from the world of social science to explore the stories behind the news and hear their solutions to society’s most pressing problems. In this series social science calls on aspects of business, education, economics, geopolitics, healthcare, human geography and more, exploring their impact on society and the social policy they can inspire. The We Society is for those interested in how social science impacts their world, and how evidence backed research can improve it. Don't want to miss an episode? Follow the show on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us at wesociety@acss.org.uk to tell us who we should be speaking to. The We Society podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences in association with the Nuffield Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust. Producer: Emily Uchida Finch Assistant Producer: Emily Gilbert A Whistledown Production for the Academy of Social Sciences
S11 · E2
July 21 · 30 min
S11 Ep2: Placing the Right Kind of Attention on Women’s Health with Professor Sophie Harman
Despite decades of campaigning, women's healthcare is an issue repeatedly neglected, with systemic issues in UK healthcare and on the international stage leading to women disproportionally affected in healthcare emergencies. In this episode of the We Society with Will Hutton, Will speaks to Professor Sophie Harman, who is Professor of International Politics at Queen Mary University of London and one of the world's leading authorities on global health politics. Her research examines the political forces that shape women's health, UK healthcare systems and the global governance that determines health outcomes. A recipient of a prestigious Philip Leverhulme Prize in 2018 in recognition of her research achievements, she advises governments and international bodies such as the UN on global health policies. Beyond ‘traditional’ academic research, she co-produced the BAFTA-nominated feature film Pili, made in collaboration with women living with HIV in rural Tanzania. This film demonstrates the innovative ways of presenting Social Science research, and the film’s profits returning to the women involved shows the power of social science in action. She talks to Will Hutton about her acclaimed book, Sick of It: The Global Fight for Women's Health (2024), where Sophie argues that while women's health has received growing public attention in recent years, it is still not receiving the right kind of attention. Collective action is needed to rebalance the prejudices and assumptions in women’s healthcare, backed by strong social policy and research. This episode is ideal for listeners interested in topical issues, UK healthcare, women’s health and the social policy needed to level healthcare inequalities. In the We Society, join acclaimed journalist and Academy of Social Sciences president Will Hutton, as he invites guests from the world of social science to explore the stories behind the news and hear their solutions to society’s most pressing problems. In this series social science calls on aspects of business, education, economics, geopolitics, healthcare, human geography and more, exploring their impact on society and the social policy they can inspire. The We Society is for those interested in how social science impacts their world, and how evidence backed research can improve it. Don’t want to miss an episode? Follow the show on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us on wesociety@acss.org.uk and tell us who we should be speaking to. The We Society podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences in association with the Nuffield Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust. Producer: Emily Uchida Finch Assistant Producer: Emily Gilbert A Whistledown Production for the Academy of Social Sciences
S11 · E1
July 14 · 36 min
S11 Ep1: Social policy solutions to the UK’s inequality crisis with Helen Miller and Sir Richard Blundell
The UK is experiencing a crisis of inequality: core tenets like our education and UK healthcare system are geographically unequal and suffering, but what are the expert social policy solutions to these issues, and can we dare to be optimistic for the future? In this episode of the We Society with Will Hutton, join Institute for Fiscal Studies Director Helen Miller and economist Sir Richard Blundell who talk us through the findings of one of the most comprehensive studies ever undertaken on inequality in the UK called the Deaton Review. This was a major six year review of inequalities in the UK, chaired by Nobel Prize-winning economist Sir Angus Deaton, and funded by the Nuffield Foundation. Drawing on research from economics, sociology, public health, philosophy and political science, the Review argues that Britain's inequalities extend far beyond income alone and presents a framework for how social policy makers should address their response. But what can be done about it? Helen, Sir Richard and podcast host Will Hutton come together to discuss the evidence and the potential solutions in local government funding and long-term social policy. Professor Sir Richard Blundell is a Co-Director of the ESRC Centre for the Microeconomic Analysis of Public Policy (CPP) and a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Fiscal Studies. Helen Miller is the Director of Institute for Fiscal Studies, the UK's leading independent economics research institute. Find out more about the IFS Deaton Review here: https://ifs.org.uk/inequality This episode is ideal for listeners interested in topical issues, social policy, UK healthcare, inequality and local government funding solutions. In the We Society, join acclaimed journalist and Academy of Social Sciences president Will Hutton, as he invites guests from the world of social science to explore the stories behind the news and hear their solutions to society’s most pressing problems. In this series social science calls on aspects of business, education, economics, geopolitics, healthcare, human geography and more, exploring their impact on society and the social policy they can inspire. The We Society is for those interested in how social science impacts their world, and how evidence backed research can improve it. Don’t want to miss an episode? Follow the show on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us on wesociety@acss.org.uk and tell us who we should be speaking to. The We Society podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences in association with the Nuffield Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust. Producer: Emily Uchida Finch Assistant Producer: Emily Gilbert A Whistledown Production for the Academy of Social Sciences
July 10 · 2 min
The We Society returns on Wednesday 15 July
The We Society returns for its 11th season on Wednesday, so join acclaimed journalist and Academy of Social Sciences president Will Hutton, as he invites guests from the world of social science to explore the stories behind the news and hear their solutions to society’s most pressing problems. In this series social science calls on aspects of business, education, economics, geopolitics, healthcare, human geography and more, exploring their impact on society and the social policy they can inspire. The We Society is for those interested in how social science impacts their world, and how evidence backed research can improve it.
S10 · E8
April 22 · 48 min
S10 Ep8: Harnessing Creative Destruction with Philippe Aghion
We end Season 10 with an intimate interview between the Nobel Prize winning economist Philippe Aghion and Will Hutton. They delve into the concept of "creative destruction," a term coined by economist Joseph Schumpeter, which highlights the dual nature of innovation in driving economic growth while simultaneously rendering older methods and certain industries and jobs obsolete. Aghion believes that for an economy to thrive creative destruction is key. They talk about certain countries such as Finland where creative destruction is allowed and supported to thrive by the Government. Aghion is Professor of Economics at the LSE. In the We Society podcast, join acclaimed journalist and Academy president Will Hutton, as he invites guests from the world of social science to explore the stories behind the news and hear their solutions to society’s most pressing problems. Don’t want to miss an episode? Follow the show on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us on wesociety@acss.org.uk and tell us who we should be speaking to. The We Society podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences in association with the Nuffield Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust. Producer: Emily Uchida Finch Assistant Producer: Emily Gilbert A Whistledown Production for the Academy of Social Sciences
S10 · E7
April 15 · 32 min
S10 Ep7: Whoever holds our data holds the power with Carissa Véliz
Professor Carissa Véliz is a philosopher who is examining the threats and possibilities of today’s digital world. She is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the Institute for Ethics in AI at the University of Oxford – and fellow at Hertford College. She currently holds a Leverhulme Major Research Fellowship and her work has been featured by the Ada Lovelace Institute. In her first landmark book, Privacy is Power (2020), she discussed the vital necessity of protecting our data as a precondition of sustaining our freedom. But the algorithms constructed by AI and data don’t just stop there; they have born a new era of data based predictions masquerading as objective. Like all predictions, they are shaped by human choices, assumptions, and incentives. In her latest book, Prophecy: Prediction, Power, and the Fight for the Future, from Ancient Oracles to AI (Out 21st April) Carissa Véliz challenges us to see predictions not as neutral forecasts, but as power over others. In the We Society, join acclaimed journalist and Academy president Will Hutton, as he invites guests from the world of social science to explore the stories behind the news and hear their solutions to society’s most pressing problems. Don’t want to miss an episode? Follow the show on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us on wesociety@acss.org.uk and tell us who we should be speaking to. The We Society podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences in association with the Nuffield Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust. Producer: Emily Uchida Finch Assistant Producer: Emily Gilbert A Whistledown Production for the Academy of Social Sciences
S10 · E6
April 8 · 30 min
S10 Ep6: Climate action: small human acts can make a big difference with Tim Lenton
The consequences of climate change are everywhere. From record-breaking wildfires to catastrophic floods, climate disasters are killing hundreds of thousands and displacing millions. In the past decade alone, climate-related disasters have forced an estimated 250 million people from their homes. So why aren’t we moving faster? What’s holding back the systemic shifts needed to avoid disaster? Professor Tim Lenton is one of the world’s leading climate scientists tackling exactly that question, but with a positive twist. Tim is a Professor of Climate Change and Earth System Science at the University of Exeter and founding Director of the Global Systems Institute. He is renowned for his pioneering work on climate “tipping points”; critical thresholds in the Earth system that, once crossed, can trigger dramatic and irreversible change. More recently, his research has focused on positive tipping points: how rapid, self-propelling shifts in technology, economics and social behaviour could accelerate climate action. His work shows that change does not always move slowly. Under the right conditions, it can cascade. Tim’s research and latest book tell a more hopeful story, one in which shifting and adjusting our lifestyles can create a positive ripple of change and steer us away from the current trajectory of climate disaster. In the We Society, join acclaimed journalist and Academy president Will Hutton, as he invites guests from the world of social science to explore the stories behind the news and hear their solutions to society’s most pressing problems. Don’t want to miss an episode? Follow the show on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us on wesociety@acss.org.uk and tell us who we should be speaking to. The We Society podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences in association with the Nuffield Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust. Producer: Emily Uchida Finch Assistant Producer: Emily Gilbert A Whistledown Production for the Academy of Social Sciences
S10 · E5
April 1 · 31 min
S10 Ep5: AI and the Future of Public Services with Imogen Parker
Artificial Intelligence is now at our fingertips, in our homes, and governing what we see and how we see it. We are currently riding a great wave of change. But while private companies have embraced AI, how is the public sector keeping up? How can public institutions build and maintain trust amongst all this change? Our guest today is Imogen Parker, she is Associate Director in Social and Economic Policy at the Ada Lovelace Institute, at the Nuffield Foundation which is on a mission to improve social wellbeing through research and innovation. She led the strategic development of the Institute, identifying in 2017 the profound impact data-driven technologies and AI were having on the way we live, work and interact with the state. Imogen works at the intersection of technology, policy and public life, exploring how artificial intelligence is governed and how it’s deployed. She’s spent her career working on public sector reform, from early years to pensions, immigration and education. And formerly leading research at Citizens Advice, she is only too aware of the pain caused from the public sector not responding to people’s needs. Their tagline might be described as ‘learn fast and write things’, the Ada Lovelace Institute moves at lightning speed, and Imogen is here to tell us their latest findings. In the We Society, join acclaimed journalist and Academy president Will Hutton, as he invites guests from the world of social science to explore the stories behind the news and hear their solutions to society’s most pressing problems. Don’t want to miss an episode? Follow the show on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us on wesociety@acss.org.uk and tell us who we should be speaking to. The We Society podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences in association with the Nuffield Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust. Producer: Emily Uchida Finch Assistant Producer: Emily Gilbert A Whistledown Production for the Academy of Social Sciences
S10 · E4
March 25 · 33 min
S10 Ep4: How happy is the world in 2026? With Jan-Emmanuel De Neve
Our guest, Professor Jan-Emmanuel De Neve shares with us the top findings from the recently released 2026 World Happiness Report. He is Professor of Economics and Behavioural Science at the University of Oxford and Director of the Wellbeing Research Centre. A leading voice in the science of happiness and wellbeing, Jan’s work brings data and empirical methods to questions once thought too subjective to measure. He has advised governments and international organisations on how to put wellbeing at the heart of public policy. Jan-Emmanuel tells us about the global country rankings, with a focus on the marked difference in ratings between nations like Finland and Afghanistan. He explains that Finland consistently ranks as the happiest country, attributing this success to their strong social support system, trust in institutions, and a deep connection to nature. He talks about the decline in British happiness rankings, particularly among younger generations facing unprecedented challenges related to economic instability and social media usage. Listen to our previous interview with Jan-Emmanuel’s colleague Richard Layard here where he explained why governments should centre wellbeing in their policies. In the We Society, join acclaimed journalist and Academy president Will Hutton, as he invites guests from the world of social science to explore the stories behind the news and hear their solutions to society’s most pressing problems. Don’t want to miss an episode? Follow the show on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us on wesociety@acss.org.uk and tell us who we should be speaking to. The We Society podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences in association with the Nuffield Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust. Producer: Emily Uchida Finch Assistant Producer: Emily Gilbert A Whistledown Production for the Academy of Social Sciences
S10 · E3
March 18 · 31 min
S10 Ep3: Using virtual reality to build a more inclusive NHS with Stephani Hatch
Professor Stephani Hatch has dedicated her career to making workplaces - especially the NHS - more inclusive by reducing discriminatory practices. She is the Vice Dean for Culture, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, and Professor of Sociology and Epidemiology at King's College London. Her work has seen her introduce 360 degree Virtual Reality headsets to NHS managers and staff to allow them to ‘walk in the shoes of’ racially minoritised staff in occupational roles. This followed her research which found that NHS Staff members who are black or from ethnic minority backgrounds were more than twice likely to experience workplace harassment and bullying compared with white British staff. This impacts mental health, and ultimately will affect the care of those using the NHS. What can be done? Stephani tells us in this conversation. In the We Society, join acclaimed journalist and Academy president Will Hutton, as he invites guests from the world of social science to explore the stories behind the news and hear their solutions to society’s most pressing problems. Don’t want to miss an episode? Follow the show on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us on wesociety@acss.org.uk and tell us who we should be speaking to. The We Society podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences in association with the Nuffield Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust. Producer: Emily Uchida Finch Assistant Producer: Emily Gilbert A Whistledown Production for the Academy of Social Sciences
S10 · E2
March 11 · 44 min
S10 Ep2: What does it mean to be grown up today? with Bobby Duffy and Carey Oppenheim
In this episode of the We Society with Will Hutton, we are joined by two esteemed academics placing journeys to adulthood under a Social Science microscope. Carey Oppenheim is a project lead on the Nuffield Foundation's Grown Up? Journeys to adulthood programme. Using young people's voices and robust data, Carey and her team are exploring the challenges and opportunities young people face as they transition into adulthood. Bobby Duffy is Professor of Public Policy and Director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London and was, until recently, the chair of the Campaign for Social Science, the advocacy arm of the Academy of Social Sciences. His book, Generations: Does When You're Born Shape Who You Are? focuses on generational divide. In the We Society, join acclaimed journalist and Academy president Will Hutton, as he invites guests from the world of social science to explore the stories behind the news and hear their solutions to society’s most pressing problems. Don’t want to miss an episode? Follow the show on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us on wesociety@acss.org.uk and tell us who we should be speaking to. The We Society podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences in association with the Nuffield Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust. Producer: Emily Uchida Finch Assistant Producer: Emily Gilbert A Whistledown Production for the Academy of Social Sciences
S10 · E1
March 4 · 30 min
S10 Ep1: 'I’m not psychic, just very lucky!' With Professor Richard Wiseman
In the first episode of Season 10, we are joined by Professor Richard Wiseman who has spent his career studying the intangible ways humans communicate with one another - not just through language, but with humour, magic tricks and belief in one’s own luck. He is professor of the public understanding of psychology at the University of Hertfordshire and one of the world’s leading experts on why some people seem to attract opportunity while others seem to miss it. In recent years, his academic research has focussed on the impact of magic not just on those watching it but those practicing it. He’s investigated the harms and benefits of pop psychology, and examined the links between paranormal belief and psychology. In the We Society, join acclaimed journalist and Academy president Will Hutton, as he invites guests from the world of social science to explore the stories behind the news and hear their solutions to society’s most pressing problems. Don’t want to miss an episode? Follow the show on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us on wesociety@acss.org.uk and tell us who we should be speaking to. The We Society podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences in association with the Nuffield Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust. Producer: Emily Uchida Finch Assistant Producer: Emily Gilbert A Whistledown Production for the Academy of Social Sciences

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