Global social challenges
There are multiple interlocking crises currently gripping the planet. Significant threats and dangers lie ahead of us, but so do opportunities, as new ways of being, thinking, and doing emerge.
This stream of Transforming Society is a space for exploring the complexities of the global social challenges across disciplines and fields. It seeks to build and share the knowledge needed to shape a fairer world, across and for the global south and north, hoping to foster dialogue between academics, practitioners, policy makers and the wider public.
In this episode of the Transforming Society Podcast Malcolm Carey and Gurnam Singh, guest editors of the Critical and Radical Social Work special issue on social work and social control, speak with Richard Kemp about the social work paradox of care and control.…Read more
Scott Timcke, author of 'Algorithms and the End of Politics', explores how agentic AI, with its autonomous decision-making, threatens democratic principles by undermining transparency, accountability and human control.…Read more
In 'Organising for Change', Silke Roth and Clare Saunders show how social change organisations resist far-right influence through adaptation, local mobilisation, and hybrid activism.…Read more
Peter Beresford explores how neoliberal politics fuel division by scapegoating marginalised groups while benefiting the wealthy, urging a new inclusive approach to social justice.…Read more
Gerald Roche advocates for a global language rights movement, linking local struggles like those of Irish rappers Kneecap and Tibetan activist Tashi Wangchuk, to strengthen collective action and achieve meaningful change.…Read more
Most read articles and most listened to podcast episodes in 2024 from Transforming Society, published by Bristol University Press and Policy Press, sharing impactful research aimed at inspiring social change. …Read more
Over the past 10-15 years, digital businesses have transformed daily life but raised issues like housing shortages and job insecurity. Luke Yates, author of 'Platform Politics', explores platform regulation and suggests policy changes.…Read more
In this episode, George Miller talks to Heather Browning and Walter Veit about the ethics of captivity, the challenges of balancing animal welfare with the need for public engagement, and the potential for zoos to drive meaningful conservation efforts. We also get to hear about Walter’s recent memorable encounter with Frank the feisty king penguin.…Read more
Molly Dingel and Gemma Punti, authors of 'Increasing diversity and racial emotions on campus' in Emotions and Society, explore the backlash to antiracist efforts in higher education settings.…Read more
Life expectancy is about more than just health – it’s about the kind of society we live in. In this episode, Richard Kemp speaks with David Walsh and Gerry McCartney about the monumental impact austerity has had, and continues to have, on life expectancy.…Read more