AntiSocial

Is it classist to stop Geordies using the term of endearment 'pet'? After the University of Newcastle sent out guidance to researchers advising they avoid using the word 'pet' as it might feel patronising or sexist to women, people took to social media to claim this was a classist move. It sparked a wider discussion about accents and class. Others claimed accents shouldn't be used as a marker of identity and that speaking with Received Pronunciation could be an equalising tool that could prevent prejudice. So what are the origins of RP and what does the data show about our perceptions of accents?GUESTS: Jasmine Andersson, writer and journalist Jonathan Meades, writer and critic Lynda Mugglestone, Professor of the history of English at the University of Oxford Dr Christian Ilbury, lecturer in Socio-linguistics at the University of Edinburgh

What kind of online content could be considered 'extreme misogyny' and who's promoting it? Dr Joe Whittaker, lecturer in Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy at Swansea University has been researching the ‘manopshere’, where content that might be considered ‘extreme misogyny’ is published and shared. Much of this activity takes place in forums that promote the ‘incel’ ideology, made up of men who say they are involuntarily celibate and are unhappy about it.

Should some forms of misogyny be classed as extremism?After the Government announced it would look at ‘extreme misogyny’ in a review of its counter-extremism strategy, a fierce row kicked off on social media.Would creating a category of ‘extreme misogyny’ be a long-overdue move, or dangerous overreach that risks labelling young men and boys as radical? We look at the kind of misogynist content the government might be worried about, what the law does and doesn’t say about extremism, and how the government’s de-radicalisation programme Prevent is already dealing with forms of misogyny.Guests: Ally Fogg, co-founder of the Men & Boys Coalition Dr Charlotte Proudman, barrister and founder of campaign group Right to EqualityDr Joe Whittaker, lecturer in Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy at Swansea University. Jonathan Hall KC, UK’s independent reviewer of terrorist legislation Evelina Gibson, former Prevent officer

The so-called ‘Battle of Cable Street’ in 1936 is often held up by counter-protesters as a model of how to defeat fascism - but it failed to stop antisemitic violence and actually led to a recruitment boost for the British Union of Fascists. Professor Nigel Copsey separates the history and the myth for us.

Are counter-protests important for sending a message or can they make confrontation or violence more likely? Is marching in the street a vital expression or is it the wrong place to tackle serious issues? After riots took place outside hotels housing refugees and migrants, counter-protests were swiftly assembled in cities around the UK. They were largely peaceful, but some counter-protesters were arrested and have been charged. Can having two competing sides up the ante and make violence and disorder more likely or is it important two groups of people can be seen to be disagreeing in public? Adam Fleming hears of the history of antifascist counter-protests through history and whether they were effective. He also hears about protest crowd psychology. Guests: Maxine Bowler, Stand up to Racism, Sheffield Andrew Trotter, who was Deputy Assistant Commissioner at the Met Police from 1998-2004 where he had overall command for demonstrations and riots.Professor Nigel Copsey from the University of Teeside Professor Cliff Stott from Keele University who's studied the psychology of crowds

The greenhouse gas emissions caused by meat, dairy, and plant-based alternatives.Sarah Bridle, professor of food, climate, and society at the University of York, digests the data.

Should meat and dairy be taken off menus to help save the planet from climate change?A university is accused of “going woke” after reports it is transitioning to 100% plant-based catering by 2027. Climate activists are calling on universities and other public bodies like councils to ditch animal food products to help tackle the climate crisis. But what did the university in question actually decide and how widespread is the shift to plant-based menus? What’s the evidence about the climate impact of meat and dairy versus vegan alternatives? And what is the best way to change people’s behaviour when it comes to what they eat?Presenter: Adam Fleming Producers: Simon Maybin, Jordan Dunbar, Ellie House, Natasha Fernandes Editor: Bridget Harney

The term “Anglo-Saxon” has become controversial, but where does it come from?As people argue online about whether the term is tainted by racism, history professor Joanna Story tells its origin story.

Should the term “Anglo-Saxon” be dropped because it’s been adopted by racists?People online are angry because a history journal has dropped “Anglo-Saxon” from its title. Critics say it is pandering to American academics who are unduly worried about the term being used by white supremacists. The journal says that’s got nothing to do with it. It’s part of an ongoing debate about whether “Anglo Saxon” is useful and appropriate. How did the argument start? Where did the term actually come from? And how has it been used in modern times to talk about race?Presenter: Adam Fleming Producers: Simon Tulett, Simon Maybin, Natasha Fernandes Editors: Bridget Harney, Sam Bonham

Pro-Palestinian student protesters have called for their universities to divest from firms with links to Israel, and specifically the conflict in Gaza, but how would that actually work? Adam Fleming discusses the practicalities and protest history of divestment with Chris Marsicano, assistant professor of higher education and public policy at Davidson College, in North Carolina.