The Sound of Politics

Professor Stephen Coleman
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Politicians speaking – on the news; in parliament; surrounded by whatever scenes might make them look like real people. How many of us are really listening to them? How many of us try to avoid them? How should we try to make sense of them? Hosted by Professor Stephen Coleman, this podcast is about how politicians speak: what to listen out for when you hear them; how to recognise their communication strategies; how to strip away the verbiage; and how to speak back to them. Join Stephen, and his guests, to analyse the Sound of Politics.

  1. 6d ago

    On Not Sounding Like A Politician: Can Andy Burnham Change the Tone of British Politics?

    Who are political speeches really for? Party conference speeches are among the most high-profile events in British politics, but are they designed to persuade voters, motivate party members, impress the media, or shape the political agenda? In this episode, Professor Stephen Coleman explores how political speeches have changed over time and asks what modern politicians are trying to achieve when they address a conference hall, a television audience and the wider public all at once. How has the tone of political communication evolved? Has political language become more performative, more hostile, or simply more strategic? Joining Stephen is Neal Lawson, Director of Compass, who reflects on the state of political discourse in Britain and considers whether a different style of politics is possible. The conversation then turns to Andy Burnham and the question of whether political leaders can change not only what politics is about, but also how politics is conducted. Can a more conversational, inclusive and less confrontational approach reconnect citizens with democratic debate? And what might that mean for the future of political communication in the UK? This episode explores political communication, political rhetoric, party conferences, public engagement, political leadership, democracy and the changing tone of political discourse in Britain. Guest: Neal Lawson Presenter: Professor Stephen Coleman Producer: Carl Hartley Visit www.thesoundofpolitics.com to discover more episodes and join the conversation. The Sound of Politics is a podcast about political communication, political rhetoric, public opinion, democracy, political leadership and the language of politics. Hosted by Professor Stephen Coleman, each episode explores how politics is communicated and how citizens can better understand it.

    On Not Sounding Like A Politician: Can Andy Burnham Change the Tone of British Politics?

  2. 6d ago ·  Bonus

    Political Literacy and Young Voices: Students Explore Conflict and Global Politics

    How do young people make sense of conflicts taking place around the world? From wars and humanitarian crises to international tensions and media coverage, today's students are growing up in a world shaped by global events. But how do they understand what they're seeing and hearing, and what role does political education play in helping them make sense of it? In this special episode of The Sound of Politics, students from Leeds City Academy take over the podcast to interview Professor Katy Parry from the University of Leeds about conflict, international affairs and the challenges of understanding complex global issues in a rapidly changing media environment. The episode forms part of a wider political literacy project developed by Professor Stephen Coleman, Carl Hartley and Leeds City Academy Citizenship teacher James Goldie. Working together, they supported students in developing the skills to research, plan, present and produce a podcast on issues they considered important. As many of these students will be voting for the first time at the next General Election, the project aimed to strengthen political literacy, oracy, critical thinking and digital media skills, while creating opportunities for young people to engage directly with academic expertise and public debate. This episode explores political literacy, youth engagement, global conflicts, media literacy, citizenship education, democracy and the importance of helping young people develop informed political voices. Guest: Professor Katy ParryInterviewers: Students from Leeds City AcademyProject Leads: Professor Stephen Coleman and Carl HartleySchool Lead: James GoldieProducer: Carl Hartley Visit www.thesoundofpolitics.com to discover more episodes and join the conversation. The Sound of Politics is a podcast about political communication, political rhetoric, public opinion, democracy, political leadership and the language of politics. Hosted by Professor Stephen Coleman, each episode explores how politics is communicated and how citizens can better understand it.

    Political Literacy and Young Voices: Students Explore Conflict and Global Politics

  3. Sep 9

    Young Voters and Politics: How Do Children Learn About Democracy

    How do children and young people make sense of politics? As the UK prepares to extend voting rights to 16-year-olds, questions about political literacy, civic engagement and democratic participation have become increasingly important. But how do younger audiences actually understand the political world around them? In this episode, Professor Stephen Coleman explores how children learn about politics and asks what happens when young people encounter political messages, campaigns and public debate. How do they interpret political events? What shapes their political understanding? And what should politicians, educators and communicators know about engaging with a new generation of voters? Joining Stephen is Dr Rebecca Simpson-Hargreaves from the University of Manchester, whose research examines how children and young people develop political awareness and understanding. Together, they explore the ways younger audiences engage with political issues and consider what the extension of voting rights to 16-year-olds could mean for political communication and democratic participation. This episode explores young voters, political literacy, civic education, democracy, political communication, youth engagement and the future of democratic participation. Guest: Dr Rebecca Simpson-Hargreaves Presenter: Professor Stephen Coleman Producer: Carl Hartley We'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, suggest topics to cover, or ask questions. Leave a comment below or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thesoundofpolitics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. And if you like this podcast then please follow to be the first to hear when a new episode is released.  The Sound of Politics is a podcast about political communication, political rhetoric, political leadership, democracy, public opinion and the language of politics. Hosted by Professor Stephen Coleman, each episode explores how politics is communicated and how citizens can better understand it.

    Young Voters and Politics: How Do Children Learn About Democracy

  4. Aug 28

    Class and Politics: Why Has Social Class Disappeared from Political Debate?

    Why do politicians rarely talk about class anymore? Social class remains one of the strongest influences on people's life chances, shaping everything from income and education to health and housing. Yet despite its continuing importance, class has become far less visible in political language and public debate. In this episode, Professor Stephen Coleman explores the changing role of class in political communication and asks why discussions of inequality are often framed in terms of aspiration, opportunity or identity rather than social class itself. What has happened to the language of class? Why has it become less prominent in mainstream politics? And what might be lost when politicians stop talking about class and economic inequality? Joining Stephen is Professor Andrew Sayer, one of Britain's leading social theorists and an influential scholar of class, inequality and social justice. Together, they examine how political language shapes public understanding of inequality and consider what the disappearance of class from political discourse reveals about contemporary politics. This episode explores social class, political communication, inequality, political language, public opinion, social mobility and the role of language in shaping political debate. Guest: Professor Andrew Sayer Presenter: ⁠⁠Professor Stephen Coleman⁠⁠ Producer: ⁠⁠Carl Hartley⁠⁠ We'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, suggest topics to cover, or ask questions. Leave a comment below or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thesoundofpolitics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. And if you like this podcast then please follow to be the first to hear when a new episode is released.  The Sound of Politics is a podcast about political communication, political rhetoric, political leadership, democracy, public opinion and the language of politics. Hosted by Professor Stephen Coleman, each episode explores how politics is communicated and how citizens can better understand it.

    Class and Politics: Why Has Social Class Disappeared from Political Debate?

  5. Aug 21

    Local News and Democracy: Who Holds Power to Account When Reporters Disappear?

    What happens to democracy when local journalists disappear? Across the UK and beyond, newsrooms have shrunk, local newspapers have closed, and fewer reporters are attending council meetings, court hearings and community events. But what does this mean for accountability, transparency and public trust? In this episode, Professor Stephen Coleman explores the growing crisis in local journalism and asks what happens when there is nobody left to scrutinise those in power. Why does local news matter for democracy? What role do journalists play in holding councils, public bodies and local institutions to account? And what are the consequences when important decisions are made without public scrutiny? Joining Stephen is Dr Tor Clark, journalism scholar at the University of Leicester, who worked as a political journalist from 1988-2014, and whose research examines local news, democratic participation and the changing media landscape. Together, they explore how the decline of local reporting is creating an accountability gap and consider what can be done to strengthen local journalism in the future. This episode explores local journalism, democracy, public accountability, media trust, community reporting, local government and the crucial role of journalism in democratic life. Guest: ⁠Tor Clark Presenter: ⁠Professor Stephen Coleman⁠ Producer: ⁠Carl Hartley⁠ We'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, suggest topics to cover, or ask questions. Leave a comment below or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thesoundofpolitics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠. And if you like this podcast then please follow to be the first to hear when a new episode is released.  The Sound of Politics is a podcast about political communication, political rhetoric, political leadership, democracy, public opinion and the language of politics. Hosted by Professor Stephen Coleman, each episode explores how politics is communicated and how citizens can better understand it.

    Local News and Democracy: Who Holds Power to Account When Reporters Disappear?

  6. Aug 7

    Free Speech on Campus: Are Universities Still Places for Open Debate?

    Are universities becoming less open to controversial ideas, or has concern about free speech on campus been exaggerated? Debates about academic freedom, student protest and so-called "cancel culture" have become increasingly prominent in public life, raising important questions about what universities are for and how disagreement should be managed. In this episode, Professor Stephen Coleman explores the politics of free speech on campus and asks whether universities can remain places where difficult, unpopular and challenging ideas are openly discussed. Why have disputes about free expression become such a powerful political issue? How should universities balance freedom of speech with concerns about harm, inclusion and student wellbeing? And what happens when competing rights and values come into conflict? Joining Stephen is the documentary maker Ric Bienstock, whose acclaimed BBC documentary Speechless examined free speech, academic freedom and cancel culture in higher education. Drawing on her research and reporting, Ric reflects on how these debates play out in practice and why they continue to generate such strong reactions. Together, they explore free speech, academic freedom, political communication, public debate, universities and the challenges of maintaining open discussion in a democratic society. Guest: Ric BienstockPresenter: Professor Stephen ColemanProducer: Carl Hartley To find out more about Ric's documentary, Speechless, then click on it's website: https://www.speechlessfilm.com/. We'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, suggest topics to cover, or ask questions. Leave a comment below or visit ⁠⁠⁠www.thesoundofpolitics.com⁠⁠⁠. And if you like this podcast then please follow to be the first to hear when a new episode is released.  The Sound of Politics is a podcast about political communication, political rhetoric, political leadership, democracy, public opinion and the language of politics. Hosted by Professor Stephen Coleman, each episode explores how politics is communicated and how citizens can better understand it.

    Free Speech on Campus: Are Universities Still Places for Open Debate?

  7. Jul 31

    Antisemitism and Political Discourse: Why Words Matter

    How do we talk about antisemitism in political and public life? Discussions about antisemitism often involve questions of language, history, identity and political responsibility. Yet disagreements frequently arise over how antisemitism is defined, recognised and communicated. In this episode, Professor Stephen Coleman explores the language of antisemitism and asks how politicians, journalists and citizens discuss one of society's oldest and most enduring forms of prejudice. Why do debates about antisemitism become so politically charged? How does language affect public understanding of discrimination? And what happens when difficult conversations about prejudice become entangled with wider political arguments? Joining Stephen is Dr Ben Gidley, Reader in Sociology and Psychosocial Studies at Birkbeck, University of London, whose research focuses on racism, migration, identity, belonging and contemporary forms of antisemitism. Together, they examine how language can clarify, complicate and sometimes polarise discussions about antisemitism in contemporary society, while exploring the responsibilities of politicians, media organisations and citizens in fostering meaningful democratic debate. This episode explores political communication, antisemitism, public opinion, media framing, political language, democracy and the ways language shapes public understanding of prejudice and discrimination. Guest: Dr Ben GidleyPresenter: Professor Stephen ColemanProducer: Carl Hartley We'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, suggest topics to cover, or ask questions. Leave a comment below or visit ⁠⁠⁠www.thesoundofpolitics.com⁠⁠⁠. And if you like this podcast then please follow to be the first to hear when a new episode is released.  The Sound of Politics is a podcast about political communication, political rhetoric, political leadership, democracy, public opinion and the language of politics. Hosted by Professor Stephen Coleman, each episode explores how politics is communicated and how citizens can better understand it.

    Antisemitism and Political Discourse: Why Words Matter

  8. Jul 31

    The Language of Islamophobia: How Words Shape Public Opinion

    How does language shape the way we understand Islamophobia? Political debates are influenced not only by the issues being discussed, but also by the words used to describe them. Terms such as prejudice, discrimination, extremism and Islamophobia carry powerful meanings that shape public understanding and political responses. In this episode, Professor Stephen Coleman explores the language of Islamophobia and asks how politicians, journalists and citizens discuss anti-Muslim prejudice in public life. Why do disagreements emerge over the use of the term Islamophobia? How does language influence perceptions of discrimination? And what role does communication play in shaping public debate about identity, belonging and social cohesion? Joining Stephen is Dr Salman Al-Azami, Senior Lecturer in Language, Media and Communication at Liverpool Hope University, whose research examines media representation, Islamophobia and the ways Muslim communities are portrayed and discussed in public discourse. Together, they explore how language can illuminate difficult issues, but also become a source of misunderstanding, disagreement and political controversy. This episode explores political communication, media framing, Islamophobia, public opinion, political language, democracy and the relationship between language and social attitudes. Guest: Dr Salman Al-AzamiPresenter: Professor Stephen ColemanProducer: Carl Hartley We'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, suggest topics to cover, or ask questions. Leave a comment below or visit ⁠⁠⁠www.thesoundofpolitics.com⁠⁠⁠. And if you like this podcast then please follow to be the first to hear when a new episode is released.  The Sound of Politics is a podcast about political communication, political rhetoric, political leadership, democracy, public opinion and the language of politics. Hosted by Professor Stephen Coleman, each episode explores how politics is communicated and how citizens can better understand it.

    The Language of Islamophobia: How Words Shape Public Opinion
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About

Politicians speaking – on the news; in parliament; surrounded by whatever scenes might make them look like real people. How many of us are really listening to them? How many of us try to avoid them? How should we try to make sense of them? Hosted by Professor Stephen Coleman, this podcast is about how politicians speak: what to listen out for when you hear them; how to recognise their communication strategies; how to strip away the verbiage; and how to speak back to them. Join Stephen, and his guests, to analyse the Sound of Politics.

Information

  • Creator
    Professor Stephen Coleman
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Professor Stephen Coleman
  • Show Website
    The Sound of Politics

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