New Books in Sociology
New Books Network
This podcast is a channel on the New Books Network. The New Books Network is an academic audio library dedicated to public education. In each episode you will hear scholars discuss their recently published research with another expert in their field.
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Discover our 150+ channels and browse our 28,000+ episodes on our website: newbooksnetwork.com
Subscribe to our free weekly Substack newsletter to get informative, engaging content straight to your inbox: https://newbooksnetwork.substack.com/
Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky to learn about more our latest interviews: @newbooksnetworkSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 22, 2024 • 42min
Sarah Ball, "Behavioural Public Policy in Australia: How an Idea Became Practice" (Routledge, 2022)
Sarah Ball, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Melbourne and former public servant, shares insights from her book on Australia's behavioral public policy. She discusses the rise of behavioral insights in decision-making and the complexities of navigating bureaucracy. Sarah delves into the ethical implications of 'nudging' in policy and shares her research experiences within the public sector. She emphasizes the importance of a citizen-centered approach and the transformative role of technology, including AI, in shaping modern public policies.
Oct 22, 2024 • 1h 11min
Emrah Yildiz, "Zainab's Traffic: Moving Saints, Selves, and Others Across Borders" (U California Press, 2024)
Emrah Yildiz, an expert in the anthropology of Islam, discusses his upcoming book, which delves into the intricate pilgrimage journey from Tehran to the Sayyida Zainab shrine near Damascus. He explores the complex interplay of faith, mobility, and identity amidst sociopolitical tensions. The conversation touches on the transformative cultural exchanges in bazaars, including the trade of unique items like Ceylon tea and Syrian lingerie. Yildiz also emphasizes how diverse narratives shape our understanding of pilgrimages and the dynamic relationships within communities.
Oct 21, 2024 • 54min
Tamara Jacka, "Ginkgo Village: Trauma and Transformation in Rural China" (Anu Press, 2023)
Tamara Jacka, Emeritus Professor at The Australian National University, shares her insights on the transformative experiences in Ginkgo Village, rural China. She discusses the impact of traumatic historical events, like the civil war and famine during the Great Leap Forward, on villagers’ lives. Jacka emphasizes the importance of ethnographic storytelling to foster empathy and understanding. The conversation also delves into evolving gender dynamics, challenges faced during fieldwork, and the resilience of communities navigating socio-economic changes.
Oct 20, 2024 • 49min
Anna Lora-Wainwright, "Resigned Activism: Living with Pollution in Rural China" (MIT Press, 2021)
In this engaging discussion, Anna Lora-Wainwright, a Professor of Human Geography of China at Oxford University, explores the intricacies of living with pollution in rural China. She introduces the concept of 'resigned activism,' showing how villagers navigate their daily struggles amidst industrial contamination. The conversation dives into grassroots responses, the emotional toll of pollution, and the challenges of seeking justice against a backdrop of socio-economic inequalities. Drawing on her rich fieldwork, Lora-Wainwright highlights community resilience and quiet forms of resistance.
Oct 18, 2024 • 1h 20min
Mahmoud Muna and Matthew Teller, "Daybreak in Gaza: Stories of Palestinian Lives and Culture" (Saqi Books, 2024)
Mahmoud Muna, a Jerusalem-based writer and bookseller, and Matthew Teller, a UK journalist and broadcaster, discuss the impactful stories in 'Daybreak in Gaza.' They highlight the resilience of Gazan culture through vignettes of artists, students, and health workers, showcasing humanity amid despair. The duo emphasizes the moral duty to amplify Palestinian voices, especially in light of recent conflicts. They explore education as a beacon of hope and dive into the struggles faced by journalists documenting life in Gaza, challenging misconceptions and advocating for empathy.
Oct 18, 2024 • 41min
Jennifer Chudy, "Some White Folks: The Interracial Politics of Sympathy, Suffering, and Solidarity" (U Chicago Press, 2024)
Dr. Jennifer Chudy, a political science professor at Wellesley College, dives into her latest work revealing the complexity of racial sympathy among white Americans. She explains how this sympathy shapes public opinion on critical issues like social welfare and criminal justice reform. Chudy discusses the emotional nuances and political implications of racial attitudes, illuminating why some white individuals feel distress over racial inequality. She also explores the relationship between liberalism and sympathy, considering their role in shaping future political engagement.
Oct 17, 2024 • 41min
Shared Paths: Exploring Jewish and Muslim Experiences in America
Mujahid Bilici, an Associate Professor of Sociology known for his insights on Muslim experiences in America, joins Samuel Heilman, a distinguished expert in Jewish studies. They discuss their upcoming book, highlighting the shared challenges faced by Jewish and Muslim communities in the U.S. The conversation reveals how both groups navigate their identities while dealing with prejudice and maintaining cultural practices. Themes of interfaith understanding and historical connections emerge, offering a hopeful perspective on coexistence amid societal challenges.
Oct 17, 2024 • 1h 5min
Reunited: Family Separation and Central American Youth Migration
Ernesto Castañeda, Director of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies, discusses the poignant themes in his co-authored book, illuminating the harrowing migration journeys of Central American youth. He reveals the harsh realities of gang violence, economic despair, and the yearning for family reunification that drive these minors to leave home. Castañeda emphasizes the emotional burdens of family separation and the critical role of schools and communities in fostering belonging and integration for these resilient young migrants.
Oct 16, 2024 • 1h 1min
Rachel O'Sullivan, "Nazi Germany, Annexed Poland and Colonial Rule: Resettlement, Germanization and Population Policies in Comparative Perspective" (Bloomsbury, 2023)
Rachel O'Sullivan, an author focused on the nexus of colonialism and Nazi population policies, delves into the complexities of Nazi Germany's actions in annexed Poland. She explores the resettlement of ethnic Germans and the Germanization processes, revealing their colonial parallels. The discussion highlights exclusionary tactics against Poles and Jews, alongside the brutal realities of wartime oppression. O'Sullivan emphasizes the need to intertwine colonial narratives with Holocaust studies, challenging conventional historical frameworks.
Oct 15, 2024 • 57min
Meghana Joshi, "Children are Everywhere: Conspicuous Reproduction and Childlessness in Reunified Berlin" (Berghahn, 2024)
Meghana Joshi, a teaching associate professor at the University of Buffalo, dives into her groundbreaking ethnographic work on parenting and childlessness in reunified Berlin. She discusses how demographic anxieties shape social inclusion and exclusion, revealing the contrasting experiences of ethnic Germans with fertility issues. The conversation touches on the societal attitudes towards reproduction and family structures, while also exploring cultural differences in emotional journeys around parenthood between Berlin and India.
