The We Society
The We Society

The We Society

AcSS

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Episodes

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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 [email protected] 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.     

Recent Episodes

S10 Ep2: What does it mean to be grown up today? with Bobby Duffy and Carey Oppenheim
MAR 11, 2026
S10 Ep2: What does it mean to be grown up today? with Bobby Duffy and Carey Oppenheim
<div> <p>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.  </p><p>Carey Oppenheim is a project lead on the Nuffield Foundation's <a href="https://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/evidence-and-impact/our-programmes/grown-up">Grown Up? Journeys to adulthood</a> 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, <a href="https://atlantic-books.co.uk/book/generations/">Generations: Does When You're Born Shape Who You Are?</a> focuses on generational divide. </p><p>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.</p><p>Don’t want to miss an episode? Follow the show on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us on [email protected] and tell us who we should be speaking to. </p><p> The We Society podcast is brought to you by<a href="http://www.acss.org.uk/"> the Academy of Social Sciences</a> in association with the<a href="http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/"> Nuffield Foundation</a> and the<a href="http://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/"> Leverhulme Trust</a>. </p><p>Producer: Emily Uchida Finch<br>Assistant Producer: Emily Gilbert<br>A Whistledown Production for the Academy of Social Sciences </p></div>
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44 MIN
S10 Ep1: 'I’m not psychic, just very lucky!' With Professor Richard Wiseman
MAR 4, 2026
S10 Ep1: 'I’m not psychic, just very lucky!' With Professor Richard Wiseman
<div> <p>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. </p><p>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.</p><p>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. </p><p>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.</p><p>Don’t want to miss an episode? Follow the show on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us on [email protected] and tell us who we should be speaking to. </p><p> The We Society podcast is brought to you by<a href="http://www.acss.org.uk/"> the Academy of Social Sciences</a> in association with the<a href="http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/"> Nuffield Foundation</a> and the<a href="http://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/"> Leverhulme Trust</a>. </p><p>Producer: Emily Uchida Finch<br>Assistant Producer: Emily Gilbert<br>A Whistledown Production for the Academy of Social Sciences </p></div>
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30 MIN
S9 Ep8: US and China: behind the rhetoric with Rana Mitter
NOV 19, 2025
S9 Ep8: US and China: behind the rhetoric with Rana Mitter
<div>Joining Will Hutton for the final episode of Season 9 is Professor Rana Mitter, an authority on contemporary China and U.S relations. He is the ST Lee Chair in US-Asia Relations at the Harvard Kennedy School. <br><br>In the conversation, Professor Mitter argues that we should look past the often prevailing sense of doom regarding U.S.-China relations to explore the realities - both nations have distinct aspirations that do not lead automatically to conflict. He argues that the tendency of apocalyptic framing oversimplifies reality.<br><br>Professor Mitter puts forward his view that rather than a clash of liberalism versus authoritarianism, today’s geopolitics is defined by competing antiliberal views. They talk about China’s booming economy, especially now that the green energy market is open to investment following America’s renewed focus on fossil fuels. <br>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.<br><br>Don’t want to miss an episode? Follow the show on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us on [email protected] and tell us who we should be speaking to. <br><br> The We Society podcast is brought to you by<a href="http://www.acss.org.uk/"> the Academy of Social Sciences</a> in association with the<a href="http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/"> Nuffield Foundation</a> and the<a href="http://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/"> Leverhulme Trust</a>. </div><br><div>Producer: Emily Uchida Finch<br>Assistant Producer: Emily Gilbert<br>A Whistledown Production <br><br><br><br></div>
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34 MIN
S9 Ep7: Investing in the Early Years: Can policy catch up with evidence? with Eleanor Ireland
NOV 12, 2025
S9 Ep7: Investing in the Early Years: Can policy catch up with evidence? with Eleanor Ireland
<div>Almost a third of five-year-olds in Britain enter primary school without the essential language, communication, and literacy skills they need to thrive. Eleanor Ireland, our guest today, looks at the critical importance of early childhood development and the widening disadvantage gap as inequality deepens in Britain.<br><br>Eleanor is one of the Programme Heads for Education at the Nuffield Foundation, which tackles the UK’s biggest social challenges by funding research, generating evidence, and guiding decision-makers to implement solutions that improve people’s lives. <br><br>In her conversation with Will, they look at how support systems for parents and children have changed over the years, and the potential impact of the new UK Government policy of providing 30 hours of free childcare a week for working parents with under 5s.<br><br>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.<br><br>Don’t want to miss an episode? Follow the show on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us on [email protected] and tell us who we should be speaking to. </div><br><div>The We Society podcast is brought to you by<a href="http://www.acss.org.uk/"> the Academy of Social Sciences</a> in association with the<a href="http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/"> Nuffield Foundation</a> and the<a href="http://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/"> Leverhulme Trust</a>. </div><br><div>Producer: Emily Uchida Finch<br>Assistant Producer: Emily Gilbert<br>A Whistledown Production <br><br></div>
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32 MIN