Podcasts from our social science-related events http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/socsci/index.html en-us The British Library Talks and seminars British Library Podcasts British Library Audio webeditor@bl.uk http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast145670.html The British Library Addictions to legal and illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco are generally considered to be serious social problems. But what drives addiction? Are our compulsions biologically or socially driven? Are some people inevitable 'addicts'? And, what are the social problems caused by addictions? Our expert panel included Professor Gerda Reith, University of Glasgow, Professor David Nutt, Imperial College London and Professor Phil Withington, University of Sheffield. Chaired by Claire Fox, Institute of Ideas.In partnership with Academy of Social Sciences and The Economic and Social Research Council   http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast145670.mp3 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 BST 01:34:59 http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast145661.html The British Library Changes in how we live, including increases in geographical mobility and single households, can affect the intimate relationships we form with others. For some, friendships form the key support network rather than family. But is this really a new phenomenon; are family relationships really changing?With Professor Lynn Jamieson, AcSS, School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh; Graham Crow, AcSS, Director of the Scottish Doctoral Training Centre in Edinburgh; and Ceridwen Roberts, AcSS, Senior Research Fellow, University of Oxford.Supported by The Economic and Social Research Council and Academy of Social Sciences. http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast145661.mp3 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:00:00 BST 01:36:53 http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast145660.html The British Library Myths and Realities 15 looks at whether the public’s obvious delight and celebration of all the diverse members of Team GB, irrespective of individual ethnicities and identities, marks a significant shift in public perceptions towards ethnic identities. What does it mean to be ‘mixed race’? What does ethnicity mean for our image of ourselves and others?With Rania Hafez, academic, columnist, and founder director of Muslim Women in Education; Ann Phoenix, Professor and Co-Director of the Thomas Coram Research Unit, Institute of Education; Miri Song, Professor of Sociology, University of Kent. http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast145660.mp3 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 BST 01:32:37 http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast143270.html The British Library This event celebrates the launch of Social Welfare at the British Library, a new free online service offering a single point of access to our vast print and digital collections on social welfare and social policy.This conference explored issues such as the use of evidence in health policy; the gathering and dissemination of evidence about the voluntary and community sector; practitioner access to evidence; and the potential of charity archives for research.Our speakers were: Prof. Jon Glasby, Director, Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham (the keynote speaker);Prof. Pete Alcock, Director, Third Sector Research Centre, University of Birmingham; Dr Jo Moriarty, Social Care Workforce Research Unit, King’s College LondonDr Georgina Brewis, Research Officer, Institute of Education, University of London, and founder, Campaign for Charity Archives; Dr Diana Leat, independent commentator and researcher on the voluntary sector.The conference concluded with a panel discussion. http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast143270.mp3 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 00:00:00 BST 04:12:42 http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast134319.html The British Library Images of later life take two extremes, adverts featuring glowing post-retirement couples enjoying life vs lonely singletons in need of expensive care or support. Many of us will live to a very ripe old age; in just 30 years since 1980, the numbers of centenarians have risen from 2,500 to over 12,500 and are predicted to rise to 160,000 in another 30 years. Longer lives are the result of improved standards of medical treatment, nutrition, housing and living... but most of us may fear rather than celebrate the prospect.What does the evidence say about older lives? Will we grow old disgracefully or experience a sad decline?The event was chaired by Fi Glover, BBC journalist and presenter and our speakers were Chris Phillipson, Professor of Applied Social Studies and Social Gerontology, Keele University and Mary Gilhooly, Professor of Gerontology, School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University. http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast134319.mp3 Thu, 02 Aug 2012 00:00:00 BST 01:31:52 http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast132217.html The British Library Increased surveillance, security checks and CCTV are all increasingly deployed to support efforts to fight crime and terrorism. Recent reports suggest there are almost two million CCTV cameras in the UK: one for every 32 of us. But what impact do these cameras have on crime, on our perceptions of our own personal security, and on civil liberties?Join Dr Kirstie Ball, Reader in Surveillance and Organisation, Open University, and Dr Peter Fussey, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, University of Essex, as they discuss the complex evidence and issues surrounding the impact and effectiveness of surveillance.  The evening was chaired by Professor Bridget Hutter, Professor of Risk Regulation at the London School of Economics. http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast132217.mp3 Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:00:00 BST 01:33:45 http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast132215.html The British Library Pressure on the world's resources means we are increasingly encouraged to consume less power, water, even food. But few of us make more than minimal efforts to change our behaviour. What do we expect from government? Join leading academics to discuss how evidence can help the development of policies to help us move towards more sustainable lifestyles.The speakers are Professor Dale Southerton, Director, Sustainable Practices Research Group, University of Manchester and Ian Christie, Centre for Environmental Strategy, University of Surrey.The event was chaired by Drs Astrid Wissenburg, Director of Partnerships and Communications, ESRC  http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast132215.mp3 Sun, 10 Jun 2012 00:00:00 BST 01:37:32 http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast126503.html The British Library Ann Oakley’s biography of Barbara Wootton celebrates a remarkable life. Wootton was involved in many of the 20th century’s major public and social policy reforms. Hear Ann Oakley, Tessa Blackstone and Margaretta Jolly discuss the fascinating life of this unsung heroine of the 20th century. http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast126503.mp3 Thu, 04 Aug 2011 00:00:00 BST 01:30:13 http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast127506.html The British Library Young People: troubled, troublesome or terrific? Why do we have such contradictory views of young people? Fear and mistrust one minute; recognition and celebration the next. Are our perceptions of young people distorted? And what impact do our perceptions of young people and youth culture have on policy decisions? http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast127506.mp3 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 BST 01:39:29 http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast127505.html The British Library We’ve never had it so good? Food and Diet in the UK Every day brings a new food scare, recommended limit on consumption, dispute about fair trade and food miles, or seemingly contradictory articles about problems of obesity and anorexia. How do we make sense of this confusing landscape? http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast127505.mp3 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:00:00 BST 01:39:29 http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast127284.html The British Library Myths and Realities 9: Who benefits from Welfare Benefits? The current government has published its Welfare Reform Bill, which promised a radical overhaul of the benefit system. Is there as much fraud as claimed or do many people fail to take-up state support they are entitled to?Chaired by David Brindle, Public Services Editor of the Guardian; wth Prof. Jane Millar, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research) at the University of Bath; Prof. Stephen McKay, Professor of Social Research, Institute of Applied Social Studies, University of Birmingham; and Alison Gamham, Chief Executive of the Child Poverty Action Group. http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast127284.mp3 Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:00:00 BST 01:38:34 http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast121322.html The British Library There has been a steady decline in the importance of the sector since the 1960s. Even so, it still accounts for at least one in 10 jobs and a significant proportion of exports. With Professor Sir Mike Gregory, CBE, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge; Professor John Bryson, Professor of Enterprise and Economic Geography, University of Birmingham; Finbarr Livesey, Director for the Centre of Industry and Government, University of Cambridge; Fiona Toye, Chief Executive, Toye, Kenning and Spencer, Birmingham. A debate in our 'Myths and Realities' series. Recorded in the Conference Centre on 2 March 2011 http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast121322.mp3 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT 100 min 27 sec http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast117490.html The British Library The 1980s Revisited (Black History Month event) Frequently characterised as ‘racial riots’, the uprisings of the 1980s in Bristol, Brixton, Toxteth and Moss Side were significant reactions to the politics of late 20th-century Britain. This discussion brought together key witnesses to reflect on the context and legacy of these events. The speakers: Dr Gail Lewis, Linda Bellos OBE, Wally Brown CBE, Kunle Olulode, Prof. Louis Kushnick OBE, Dr Anandi Ramamurthy and Sean Creighton.Recorded in the Conference Centre on 25 October 2010 http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast117490.mp3 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT 00:56:39 http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast117497.html The British Library The concept of 'class' seems to have become increasingly complex, while at the same time we continue to see significant differentials in life chances within the UK. Commentators have been arguing about the role of social class in determining life chances for many years. The concept of 'class' seems to have become increasingly complex, while at the same time we continue to see significant differentials in life chances within the UK. This event looked at where we are now in terms of class difference and social mobility in the UK. The debate was chaired by David Walker. The speakers were: Professor Fiona Devine, Professor John Hills and Lee Elliot Major.Recorded in the Conference Centre on 1 November 2010 http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast117497.mp3 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT 01:13:11 http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast127283.html The British Library Broken down by age, sex and religion: <br />The history of the census in the UK Join our census experts as they discuss the historical legacy and impact of British Censuses since 1801 and look forward to the 21st British Census in 2011.Censuses of the population of Britain began in 1801, and 2011 brings the 21st. The records and data they have generated from one of the most important ways of understanding how society has changed in Britain, and throw up many intriguing stories and insights.  http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast127283.mp3 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT 01:32:35 http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast115721.html The British Library A debate in our 'Myths and Realities' series about whether or not educational standards are falling. The speakers are Sarah Maughan, Head of Assessment and Measurement at the National Foundation for Educational Research, Professor Roger Murphy of the School of Education at the University of Nottingham and Anastasia De Waal, Deputy Director, and Director of Family and Education, Civitas - all representing best practice in research and education. Introduced by Jude England of the British Library.Recorded in the Conference Centre on 8 September 2010 http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/podcast115721.mp3 Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:00:00 BST 97 min 36 sec