The We Society

AcSS

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

The We Society podcast is here to tell you about the thousands of ways the Social Sciences can help us understand and enhance this complicated and fascinating human network.

What can we do to fix the NHS? How can we better manage climate change? How do we end the cost of living crisis?

Brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences in association with the Nuffield Foundation and Leverhulme Trust, this podcast tackles the big questions through a social science lens and brings you some of the best ideas to shape the way we live.

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.

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88 episodes
Updated Wednesday

Episodes88

Newest first

Oct 4, 2023 · 31 min
S4 Ep1: Do we value universities enough in Britain? with Vivienne Stern
Vivienne Stern is the chief executive of Universities UK, a membership organisation that represents 140 UK universities. In this role, she's had to weather a raft of challenges from Brexit to the Covid pandemic. Host Will Hutton joins her in this conversation where they delve into just how important universities are for Britain, and how these treasured institutions can be protected for future generations. This is the first episode of Season 4 of the We Society Podcast from the Academy of Social Sciences which tackles the big questions through a social science lens. Throughout this series, you'll be hearing some of the best ideas to shape the way we live. Hosted by journalist and Academy President Will Hutton, we interview some of Britain’s top social scientists and public figures from across the globe to explore their evidence-led solutions to society’s most pressing problems. Don't want to miss an episode? Follow the We Society on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us on wesociety@acss.org.uk and tell us who we should be speaking to or follow us on twitter https://twitter.com/thewesocietypod Find out more about the Academy of Social Sciences here: https://AcSS.org.uk
Sep 29, 2023 · 1 min
S3 Ep7: The We Society returns for Season 4
The We Society returns on Wednesday (4 October) for Season 4. Expect to hear more conversations on ideas that shape the world we live from the world of Social Science. Our host, Will Hutton, is speaking to: Vivienne Stern from Universities UK, Daniel Susskind on the future of work in the age of AI, Neil Adger on the ongoing climate crisis, Ann Pettifor on global debt and many other fantastic guests. So join us from Wednesday and don't forget to subscribe so you're the first to know when a new episode is released.
Aug 10, 2023 · 40 min
7: Summer Recap: Hillary Clinton, Ai Weiwei, Gary Younge
Our host, Will Hutton, chooses some 'must listen' moments from the past three seasons featuring Hillary Clinton, Ai Weiwei, Mariana Mazzuccato, Gary Younge, and Heaven Crawley. To listen to the full episodes, you can find them all on the We Society page on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We'll be back in the Autumn with a roster of new guests who are changing the world for the better with the help of the Social Sciences. Hosted by journalist and Academy President Will Hutton, we interview some of Britain’s top social scientists to explore their evidence-led solutions to society’s most pressing problems. Don't want to miss an episode? Follow the We Society on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us on wesociety@acss.org.uk and tell us who we should be speaking to or follow us on twitter https://twitter.com/thewesocietypod Find out more about the Academy of Social Sciences here: https://AcSS.org.uk
May 25, 2023 · 37 min
S3 Ep6: What does the future hold? With Ian McEwan
Novelist Ian McEwan is one of Britain's finest fiction writers whose canon of work has won him the Booker Prize amongst countless other awards and accolades. He joins host Will Hutton as they delve into a discussion on freedom, writing, and the importance of Social Science for human progress. This is the final episode of season 3 of The We Society Podcast from the Academy of Social Sciences which tackles the big questions through a social science lens and brings you some of the best ideas to shape the way we live. Hosted by journalist and Academy President Will Hutton, we interview some of Britain’s top social scientists to explore their evidence-led 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 or follow us on twitter https://twitter.com/thewesocietypod Find out more about the Academy of Social Sciences here: https://AcSS.org.uk
May 18, 2023 · 30 min
S3 Ep5: The history of racism with Kenan Malik
Kenan Malik is an Observer columnist, a political thinker, and a seasoned broadcaster whose work mainly focuses on moral ethics and racism. He joins host Will Hutton in a wide-ranging discussion on racism following the publication of his latest book, Not So Black and White: A History of Race. In this conversation, Kenan sets out his case that racism is a modern concept that emerged from a post-Englightenment world. He explains how, in his view, racism could end and how the answer isn’t found in identity politics. Kenan Malik studied neurobiology at the University of Sussex and history and philosophy of science at Imperial College, London. His involvement in politics began by taking part in anti-racist movements during his youth. This is The We Society Podcast from the Academy of Social Sciences which tackles the big questions through a social science lens and brings you some of the best ideas to shape the way we live. Hosted by journalist and Academy President Will Hutton, we interview some of Britain’s top social scientists to explore their evidence-led 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 or follow us on twitter https://twitter.com/thewesocietypod Find out more about the Academy of Social Sciences here: https://acss.org.uk/
May 11, 2023 · 32 min
S3 Ep4: Artificial Intelligence and the next Industrial Revolution with Professor Nicholas Crafts
Professor Nicholas Crafts is an economic historian whose work engages with contemporary Britain. He joins host Will Hutton in a wide-ranging conversation that starts with the long-term merits of Britain’s Industrial Revolution and ends with how Artificial Intelligence could usher in a new Industrial Revolution. In this discussion, Professor Crafts sets out his view that Britain’s Industrial Revolution may have hindered us in the long run and explains what we can learn from the past in making the most of the new tech revolution. Professor Nicholas Crafts CBE is Professor of Economic History at the University of Sussex Business School, and has also taught at the LSE, Oxford University and the University of California, Berkeley. This is The We Society Podcast from the Academy of Social Sciences which tackles the big questions through a social science lens and brings you some of the best ideas to shape the way we live. Hosted by journalist and Academy President Will Hutton, we interview some of Britain’s top social scientists to explore their evidence-led 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 or follow us on twitter https://twitter.com/thewesocietypod Find out more about the Academy of Social Sciences here: https://AcSS.org.uk
May 4, 2023 · 31 min
S3 Ep3: Can sport change the wellbeing of the nation? With Professor Louise Mansfield
Professor Louise Mansfield has dedicated her working career to improving the physical and mental health of the nation through her research on sport and exercise. She tells host Will Hutton how sport engagement is a microcosm of society by reflecting existing inequalities. They delve into issues around gender stereotypes, class, and access to facilities in this fascinating conversation along with an exploration of the London 2012 Olympic legacy. They talk about how her recent research in Hounslow, London could lead to positive change in the rest of the UK. Professor Mansfield is Professor of Sport, Health and Social Sciences and Research Lead for Welfare, Health and Wellbeing in the Institute of Environment, Health and Societies at Brunel University. She is interested in partnership and community approaches in sport and physical activity and how it all links to issues of health, wellbeing, inequality and diversity. This is The We Society Podcast from the Academy of Social Sciences which tackles the big questions through a social science lens and brings you some of the best ideas to shape the way we live. Hosted by journalist and Academy President Will Hutton, we interview some of Britain’s top social scientists to explore their evidence-led 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 or follow us on twitter https://twitter.com/thewesocietypod Find out more about the Academy of Social Sciences here: https://acss.org.uk/
Apr 27, 2023 · 36 min
S3 Ep2: Housing for living, not investment with Polly Neate
Polly Neate is the CEO of Shelter, a charity which champions housing and tenant rights in Britain. She joins Will Hutton in a conversation that touches on the critical need for more social housing, the spiralling number of rough sleepers, the need for a radical rethink in landownership practices, and how we perceive housing in the UK. She brings us solutions that could see an end to 120,000 Children waking up homeless every day. Before her role at Shelter, Polly Neate headed the women’s domestic charity Women’s Aid. She isn’t afraid to take the Government to task when she thinks social justice is at risk and the evidence backs up her thinking. This is The We Society Podcast from the Academy of Social Sciences which tackles the big questions through a social science lens and brings you some of the best evidence-led ideas to shape the way we live. Hosted by journalist and Academy President Will Hutton, we interview some of Britain’s top social scientists to explore 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 or follow us on twitter https://twitter.com/thewesocietypod Find out more about the Academy of Social Sciences here: https://AcSS.org.uk
Apr 20, 2023 · 37 min
S3 Ep1: Can migration drive development? With Professor Heaven Crawley
Professor Heaven Crawley has spent the past few decades leading the research on migration at some of the world’s top universities. She joins host Will Hutton to dispel the myths about the 3.5% of the world’s population who are on the move. While migration might seem like a problem that only concerns the Global North, it certainly isn’t. Most people escaping famine, inequality or war settle in neighbouring countries. And in this episode, Professor Crawley sets out her solutions to the ongoing migrant crisis that continues to dominate the world’s headlines. Professor Crawley is head of Equitable Development and Migration at the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research in New York and is the Director of the South-South Migration, Inequality and Development Hub (MIDEQ), a project supported by the UK Government. This is The We Society Podcast from the Academy of Social Sciences which tackles the big questions through a social science lens and brings you some of the best evidence-led ideas to shape the way we live. Hosted by journalist and Academy President Will Hutton, we interview some of Britain’s top social scientists to explore 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 or follow us on twitter https://twitter.com/thewesocietypod Find out more about the Academy of Social Sciences here: https://AcSS.org.uk
Mar 17, 2023 · 2 min
S2 Ep9: The We Society Season 3 Trailer
Join host Will Hutton for Season 3 of the We Society which launches in April to hear more ideas that shape the world we live. From how we can tackle homelessness to rebooting our stagnating economy, the podcast will encourage you to think critically and collectively, as part of The We Society. In this podcast series, you will hear interviews from the top social scientists in our country. Tell us who we should be speaking to, or what questions we should be asking by emailing wesociety@acss.org.uk This podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences.
Dec 12, 2022 · 42 min
S2 Ep8: Ai Weiwei: You're either protecting humanity or hurting it
Ai Weiwei is a father, an artist, and a dissident who refuses to be silenced. He has exhibited worldwide and has gained a reputation for creating fearless artworks with a humanitarian spirit. He joins journalist Will Hutton for the final episode of Season 2 of the We Society where they discuss the possible threats to Taiwan from China, his years of exile growing up in North West China with his poet father, and the importance of protecting humanity through art. The We Society podcast on ideas that shape the world we live in. From countering social inequality to rebooting public services, host Will Hutton and his guests encourage you to think critically and collectively, as part of The We Society. This podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences. Tell us who we should be speaking to, or what questions we should be asking by emailing wesociety@acss.org.uk
Dec 5, 2022 · 39 min
S2 Ep7: Becky Francis: Education, Education, Education
Becky Francis has dedicated her life to improving education. She is the chief executive of the Education Endowment Foundation, an independent charity that supports schools, nurseries, and colleges to improve teaching and learning. Before that, she was Director of the UCL Institute of Education at University College London. If anyone knows how the school system in the UK is doing, it’s Becky Francis and she joins Will Hutton in conversation for our penultimate episode of this season. The We Society podcast on ideas that shape the world we live in. From countering social inequality to rebooting public services, host Will Hutton and his guests encourage you to think critically and collectively, as part of The We Society. This podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences. Tell us who we should be speaking to, or what questions we should be asking by emailing wesociety@acss.org.uk
Nov 28, 2022 · 38 min
S2 Ep6: Ann Phoenix: It takes a village to raise a child
Professor Ann Phoenix is a psychologist whose work at UCL Institute of Education focuses on psychosocial processes and social identities. She joins host Will Hutton to discuss the relevance of intersectionality, and how some young single mothers thrive while others flounder. The We Society podcast on ideas that shape the world we live in. From countering social inequality to rebooting public services, host Will Hutton and his guests encourage you to think critically and collectively, as part of The We Society. This podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences. Tell us who we should be speaking to, or what questions we should be asking by emailing wesociety@acss.org.uk
Nov 21, 2022 · 33 min
S2 Ep5: Torsten Bell: The UK is a stagnation nation
Torsten Bell is the Chief Executive Officer of the Resolution Foundation, a think-tank whose aim is to improve the lot of the ordinary person in Britain. Never far from the airwaves, Torsten takes the conversation deeper with host Will Hutton as they ponder what makes Britain a ‘stagnation nation’. The We Society podcast on ideas that shape the world we live in. From countering social inequality to rebooting public services, host Will Hutton and his guests encourage you to think critically and collectively, as part of The We Society. This podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences. Tell us who we should be speaking to, or what questions we should be asking by emailing wesociety@acss.org.uk
Nov 14, 2022 · 33 min
S2 Ep4: Mike Berners-Lee: Market forces won’t solve climate change
Professor Mike Berners-Lee is an author and a Professor at the Institute for Social Futures at Lancaster University. His work for the past few decades has focused on how to tackle the worsening climate emergency. Mike joins Will Hutton to discuss how there has to be a global shift in our values for us to have a chance of reversing climate change. The We Society podcast on ideas that shape the world we live in. From countering social inequality to rebooting public services, host Will Hutton and his guests encourage you to think critically and collectively, as part of The We Society. This podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences. Tell us who we should be speaking to, or what questions we should be asking by emailing wesociety@acss.org.uk
Nov 7, 2022 · 34 min
S2 Ep3: Greg Clark: Cities are our future
Professor Greg Clark is an urbanist and author who has worked with more than 300 cities across the world. He talks to host Will Hutton about how cities are at the front line of the climate change challenge and why they are so important for our future. The We Society podcast on ideas that shape the world we live in. From countering social inequality to rebooting public services, host Will Hutton and his guests encourage you to think critically and collectively, as part of The We Society. This podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences. Tell us who we should be speaking to, or what questions we should be asking by emailing wesociety@acss.org.uk
Oct 31, 2022 · 31 min
S2 Ep2: Linda Bauld: We must do better for the next pandemic
In the second episode of season 2 of the We Society podcast, Professor Linda Bauld, public health specialist and advisor to the Scottish Government, joins us to reflect on Britain's response to the Covid pandemic. The We Society podcast on ideas that shape the world we live in. From countering social inequality to rebooting public services, host Will Hutton and his guests encourage you to think critically and collectively, as part of The We Society. This podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences. Tell us who we should be speaking to, or what questions we should be asking by emailing wesociety@acss.org.uk
Oct 31, 2022 · 33 min
S2 Ep1: Sir Lawrence Freedman: Military defeat happens gradually then suddenly
Professor Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King's College London joins us to talk about all things Ukraine. The We Society podcast on ideas that shape the world we live in. From countering social inequality to rebooting public services, host Will Hutton and his guests encourage you to think critically and collectively, as part of The We Society. This podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences. Tell us who we should be speaking to, or what questions we should be asking by emailing wesociety@acss.org.uk
Oct 24, 2022 · 3 min
S1 Ep9: We Society Season 2 Trailer
The We Society podcast on ideas that shape the world we live in. From countering social inequality to rebooting public services, host Will Hutton and his guests encourage you to think critically and collectively, as part of The We Society. This podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences. Tell us who we should be speaking to, or what questions we should be asking by emailing wesociety@acss.org.uk
Sep 2, 2022 · 5 min
S1 Ep8: The We Society Season 1 Recap
We bring to you a short re-cap of Season 1 of the We Society, brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences before Season 2 is released in October.