Thinking Allowed Episodes Episode guide
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Ale drinkers, Northern accents
New research on how society works. Ale drinkers. Northern accents.
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'Queer' wars, Nigerian beauty pageants
'Queer' wars: the global struggle for lesbian/gay rights. Also, Nigerian beauty pageants.
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Glasgow gangs - Russian gangs
Glaswegian and Russian gangs: their origins, organisation and meaning.
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TV in prison - Live music in prison
Television in British prisons. Also, BB King and prison 'blues'.
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Migrant women, Wedding paradoxes
Laurie Taylor explores the role in British society of migrant women over the past 60 years
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The Flaneur - Walking in the City
Laurie Taylor explores the history and meaning of the urban stroller, past and present.
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Happiness and government, Good parenting
Laurie Taylor asks if the government should aim to promote well-being.
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Ethnography Award winner, Transcultural football
The 2016 BSA Thinking Allowed Ethnography winner. Also, transcultural football.
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The BSA and Thinking Allowed Ethnography Award Shortlist
A special programme on the shortlist for the BSA and Thinking Allowed Ethnography Award.
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Dance halls, Pick-up artists
Laurie Taylor discusses the social and cultural history of 'going to the Palais'.
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Eviction, Self-build
Laurie Taylor looks at the rising number of people losing their homes in the US and UK.
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Philanthropy - Charity
Philanthropy and charitable giving: who do they benefit, and is there a price?
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Small towns, Patient rescue and resuscitation
A study of Todmorden. Also, the rescue and resuscitation of chronic patients.
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The debt collection industry, Spousal job loss
Laurie Taylor explores what happens when everyday forms of borrowing go bad.
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Refusing adulthood, How young people feel about being poor
Laurie Taylor asks if and why some people refuse to grow up.
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Museums and nationalism, Imagining utopias
Laurie Taylor asks what can be learnt about nationalism from cultural institutions.
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Weather forecasting, Young people and politics
Laurie Taylor explores a scientific art form rooted in unpredictability.
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Consumerism, Work-life balance
Laurie Taylor explores the history of the modern, material world.
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The Creative Economy, 'Grudge' Spending
The new politics of culture and creativity. Plus why people begrudge spending on security.
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Con Men in New York, Iconography of punishment
A look at con men in New York and the iconography of punishment.
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Modern slavery, School lunch boxes
Laurie Taylor explores tensions at the heart of contemporary struggles against enslavement
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The end of 'careers', Humour at work
Laurie Taylor explores personal identity in an era of uncertain working lives.
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Fashion and Beauty
Laurie Taylor explores the pleasures and dangers in keeping up appearances.
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A Special Programme on Rituals
A special programme on rituals, at Christmas and beyond.
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Chess worlds, Competitive entrepreneurs
Laurie Taylor looks at chess communities and the competitive culture of the self-made men.
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Land Ownership, Home at work
Laurie Taylor explores forgotten acres and looks at creating a sense of 'home' at work.
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Everyday life, Cafe society
Laurie Taylor takes a sociological look at everyday life. Plus cafe society.
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Frauds of the left, Siblings
Laurie Taylor examines the intellectual credibility of key thinkers of the new left.
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Elite jobs, Hairdresser craft
How elite students get elite jobs and a look at hairdressing as a craft.
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Zoos explored, Funeral arranging
Laurie Taylor goes on a sociological safari, plus a look at reasons behind funeral choices