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Purposeful podcasting: exploring societal issues with The We Society

Published on February 27, 2025

To celebrate seven series of their chart-topping podcast The We Society, we asked the team at the Academy of Social Sciences to select five episodes which best showcase the powerful insights, and possible solutions, the social sciences can offer to society…

Breaking the glass ceiling

S7 Ep7: Keep calm and chill with Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

As US President Donald Trump threatens or imposes trade tariffs, The We Society invited the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to share her thoughts during this period of uncertainty in world trade. The first woman and the first African to serve as Director General of the WTO, Dr Okonjo-Iweala also gives her perspectives on women in leadership positions and her beliefs on creating positive change in the world. Listen here >>

“My highlight from Season 7 was hearing Dr Okonjo-Iweala’s interview. I particularly enjoyed her take on the glass ceiling for women in leadership roles, her calm and measured approach to addressing political tensions, and her personal story that led to her Directorship of the WTO. Her relatability and calmness were reassuring given the tumultuous nature of recent politics.” – Emily Finch, Producer of The We Society Podcast

Fear in a digital age

S7 Ep2: Anxiety, Artificial Intelligence and work with Anthony Elliott

We’re living in a technological tsunami, with artificial intelligence despatching goods in response to our clicks, identifying our favourite music, accelerating likes and dislikes on social media, even replacing jobs. As the speed of AI innovation accelerates, power seemingly sits firmly in the hands of big tech companies, with governments and the public on the side-lines. Can we tame this AI revolution to work for societal and economic advantage? Or is it too late? Listen here >>

“What makes this episode compelling for me is the different perspective that Anthony brings to looking at how AI is shaping our lives and what this might mean for the future. It made me consider the impact that AI is having in my own life – whether for better or for worse!” – Dr Rita Garnder, Chief Executive Officer, Academy of Social Sciences

Tackling domestic homicide

S7 Ep5: Tracking and stopping domestic abuse with Jane Monckton-Smith

Content warning: This podcast episode covers themes of domestic abuse, violence against women and domestic homicide.

Around one in four women have experienced domestic abuse, according to the Crime Survey of England and Wales. But abuse is not usually a one-off event, it’s part of a protracted pattern, and by studying the timeline, perhaps this shocking statistic may change. Professor Jane Monckton-Smith has dedicated her career, first as a police officer, and now as Professor of Public Protection, to understanding this pattern, with her research informing policy and saving lives. Listen here >>

“What makes this episode compelling for me was being familiarised with Jane’s important research showing that there is an established timeline for homicides – the Homicide Timeline. Equipped with this knowledge civil society can do much more to prevent this dreadful pattern from occurring and reoccurring so more lives can be saved. One of our most important podcasts.” – Will Hutton, host of The We Society Podcast

The science of hate

S6 Ep7: Stopping hate crime with Matthew Williams and Neil Chakraborti

The riots which took place in the summer of 2024 in Britain, which emerged following the Southport stabbings, demonstrate how hate is bubbling just under the surface of our society. Behind the violence and destruction are statistics. Between 2012 and 2023, hate crimes in England and Wales rose by 252%, according to Home Office research. But this is just the tip of the iceberg… Listen here >>

“What makes this episode compelling for me is the personal reflections that both Matthew and Neil bring to this episode – it was fascinating to hear how their personal experiences of hate led to the impactful work they’re doing now.” – Amy Williams, Senior Communications Manager, Academy of Social Sciences

Building climate resilient communities

S4 Ep3: Reframing the climate crisis narrative with Neil Adger

2024 was the hottest year on record, being about 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels, and January 2025 has followed this trend. Extreme weather events are being felt more frequently and more intensely – with scientists claiming the recent wildfires in Los Angeles were made 35% more likely due to climate change. What are the likely impacts going to be for communities the world over and how can we adapt to a changing climate? Listen here >>

“What makes this episode compelling for me is the discussion around the lesser known and perhaps underappreciated impacts of climate change but also the note of hope that Neil shares on what researchers and communities are doing to encourage climate resilience in societies across the world.” – Dr Rita Gardner, Chief Executive, Academy of Social Sciences

Brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences, The We Society sees author, journalist and Academy President, Will Hutton invite expert guests from the world of social science to explore the stories behind the news and hear their solutions to some of society’s most pressing problems. See the full back catalogue of episodes.