25 episodes
Society matters Aston University
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- Science
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5.0 • 6 Ratings
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Society matters is a podcast from the School of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) at Aston University. Presented by journalist Steve Dyson, the podcast series explores some of the fascinating work of academics within the School on current issues facing society.
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Did you iron my shirt? Why household work and who does it matters
Dr Emily Christopher, a lecturer in sociology and policy at Aston University, discusses her ongoing research into the gender split of household work. She suggests that although men are doing more housework tasks than they may have done historically, the majority continue to be responsible for ‘man-typed’ tasks that tend to be done solo, such as mowing the lawn or DIY. Many of the tasks that women are responsible for are being carried out simultaneously with other household tasks, including the cognitive labour of household management.
Read the full press release: https://www.aston.ac.uk/latest-news/podcast-research-household-chores-reveals-fascinating-home-truths -
Swear words - and why we use them in day-to-day conversations
Dr Robbie Love, Lecturer in English Language at Aston University, suggests that schools could include teaching about swearing in lessons to help teenagers understand the differences between harmless cursing and deeply offensive slurs. Dr Love also discusses how swearing has been a part of the English language for centuries, and that swear words can be ‘cathartic’ in terms of easing pain or frustration.
Read the full press release: https://www.aston.ac.uk/latest-news/podcast-schools-could-teach-students-about-swearing-promote-responsible-language-use -
From the cradle to the grave: how the NHS can survive
Dr Alexis Paton, a health expert at Aston University, discusses how years of austerity have left the NHS devalued and underfunded. She argues that swift investment and long-term, cross-party planning are now needed for survival, with a focus on training more staff and maintaining existing hospital infrastructures.
Read more: https://www.aston.ac.uk/latest-news/nhs-needs-swift-investment-and-long-term-planning-survive -
Rishi Sunak: It matters that we have the UK’s first prime minister of Indian descent
Dr Parveen Akhtar, a senior lecturer and deputy head of politics, history and international relations at Aston University, discusses how the UK having its first non-white prime minister is a ‘big moment’. But she says his ability at restoring economic stability and tackling the cost-of-living crisis will decide his fate at the polls.
Read more: https://www.aston.ac.uk/latest-news/podcast-uks-first-non-white-prime-minister-big-moment-can-rishi-sunak-survive -
Managing emotions for a political purpose
Dr Ilaria Scaglia, a senior lecturer in modern history at Aston University, explains how the ‘history of emotions’ can provide vital lessons for politics today, particularly when studying the 1920s and 30s. She said that the past can guide society on how it decides to conduct itself now, as individuals and countries.
Read more: https://www.aston.ac.uk/latest-news/podcast-history-emotions-provide-vital-lessons-politics-and-society -
COP27: can protest change climate policy?
Dr Graeme Hayes, a reader in political sociology at Aston University, says protest through collective action can achieve meaningful climate change. But speaking ahead of the COP27 climate talks in Egypt, the expert in environmental activism argues that governments will only be persuaded to do the right thing if they face sustained movements, not one-off actions.
Read more: https://www.aston.ac.uk/latest-news/podcast-collective-action-only-way-change-global-climate-policies