The Science & Belief in Society Podcast

Listen to the podcast brought to you by the International Research Network for the Study of Science & Belief in Society

“Don’t Miss” – New Scientist

A podcast covering the latest research in the social study of science and belief, hosted by Dr Will Mason-Wilkes, Dr James Riley and Dr Rachael Shillitoe, and Dr Richard Grove, Research Fellows at the University of Birmingham. Each episode features Will, James, Rachael and Richard chatting to expert guests about their current research, how their disciplinary approach contributes to our understanding of science and belief in society and their sometimes meandering journeys into the field. We discuss the insights that various disciplines can bring to the study of science and belief in society, including history, quantitative and qualitative sociology, social psychology and media studies.

Season 2

In Season 2, coming soon, Rachael, Will and James are joined by new co-host Dr Richard Grove, a social psychologist and research fellow at the University of Birmingham. This season we bring you more cutting edge, multidisciplinary, international research covering all things science, belief and society.

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Season 1

In the first season, recorded during 2020 lockdown, Dr Will Mason-Wilkes, Dr James Riley and Dr Rachael Shillitoe caught up with Network members from around the world to discuss their research and their academic journeys. In this first series, we speak to researchers based in the USA, UK, South Africa, India and Australia. Click on the guest’s name to be taken to the recording.

  • FERN ELSDON-BAKER
    Introducing the Network
    (20 OCT 2020)
  • SHIRI NOY
    Sociological Research on Science and Religion in the USA
    (3 NOV 2020)
  • KIMBERLY RIOS
    Science, Religion and Stereotypes
    (1 DEC 2020)
  • RENNY THOMAS
    Science and Religion amongst Indian Scientists
    (12 JAN 2021)
  • ALEXANDER HALL
    The Humanist Blockbuster and the Evolutionary Epic
    (9 FEB 2021)
  • BANKOLE FALADE
    Science and Religion in African Contexts
    (9 MAR 2021)
  • JAMES UNGUREANU
    Historical Research on Science and Religion – The Conflict Thesis Revisited
    (12 APR 2021)
  • LOIS LEE
    Science and Non-Religion
    (6 MAY 2021)
  • TOM AECHTNER
    Science and Religion in Mass Media
    (3 JUN 2021)

From time to time we will also launch special edition podcasts.

Our latest special is an interview with Dr Cary Funk and Dr Courtney Johnson from Pew Research Center. This was first published on 26 January 2021. Visit the link below to hear more.

Podcast Special: Pew Research Center

Our previous special was a spin-off interview with Dr Tom Aechtner, which we published on 24 November 2020, as news broke about the proposed Covid-19 vaccine.

Podcast Special: COVID, Conspiracies & Vaccines – Dr Tom Aechtner

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