Thinking Allowed

Erving Goffman - Laurie Taylor is joined by Professor Gregory Smith, Dr Rachel Hurdley and Dr Susie Scott to discuss the work and influence of this groundbreaking Canadian sociologist and theorist of social interaction.

Walter Benjamin - Laurie Taylor is joined by the philosopher Jonathan Rée and Professor of political aesthetics, Esther Leslie to discuss the work and influence of this pioneering German intellectual and theorist.

Michel Foucault - Laurie Taylor is joined by Professor Stephen Shapiro, Professor Vikki Bell and Professor Lois McNay to discuss the life and work of this iconoclastic French philosopher and theorist.

Drug enforcement - Laurie Taylor talks to Neil McKeganey about his research into the impact of drug enforcement operations on the availability of illegal drugs in 3 different areas of the UK. Also, sociologist Diana Frost explores Militant Tendency's domination of Liverpool politics in the 1980s.

Nigel Fielding on the effects of court procedures on ordinary people, including victims, witnesses and defendants. Also, The Minutemen - Laurie talks Harel Shapira about the patriotic activists who patrol the Mexcian/US border in search of illegal immigrants.

'Teddies' and 'Gollies' - Rhoda Zuk, talks to Laurie about her historical study into the racist meaning of teddy bears and golliwogs in children's literature. Author and Illustrator Jean Upton, a distant relative of Florence Upton, creator of the first 'Golliwogg' joins them. Also, Alison Pearlman and Alan Warde on the blurring of boundaries between high and low culture in restaurant cuisine.

Food work - Around 60% of UK patients aged 65 or older are at risk of malnutrition while in hospital; Ben Heaven discusses the conflicts between dignity and nutrition on hospital wards. Also, Bangladesh/India border: Delwar Hussain tells Laurie about his detailed exploration of Boropani, a coal mining village on both sides of the border.

Carol Vincent discusses the findings of the first dedicated UK study of black Caribbean middle-class families and their strategies and priorities for their children's education. Also, Neon - Laurie Taylor talks to Christoph Ribbat author of Flickering Light which charts the rise and fall of neon. They are joined by the cultural critic, Matthew Sweet.

Laurie Taylor talks to Christine Fair co-author of a new study which finds that support for political violence in Pakistan is higher amongst the middle classes than the poor. Also, Terrorism Studies - Laurie Taylor explores a ‘new’ academic field emerging from the post 9/11 world with Harvard social scientist, Lisa Stampnitzky author of "Disciplining Terror: How Experts Invented 'Terrorism' . They’re joined by John Bew, a British expert on terrorism.

Maternal Situations - Dr Lisa Smyth explores the tensions between sectarianism and civility experienced by working class mothers in inner city Belfast. Also, The Global Pigeon - Laurie Taylor talks to American sociologist, Colin Jerolmack, who spent over 3 years studying pigeon and human interaction across three continents; from 'pigeon wars' in the skies over Brooklyn to the Million Dollar Pigeon Race in South Africa.

Welfare reforms. Ruth Patrick discusses her research into the impact of a revolution in 'welfare' provision for out of work benefits claimants between 2011 and 2013. Also, crime in the Armed Forces - Laurie Taylor talks to Professor Clive Emsley, about his pioneering, historical study into criminal offending by members of the British armed forces from WW1 to the present day. They are joined by Dr Deirdre MacManus, who recently completed a study into the relationship between combat experience and violent crime amongst British soldiers returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Remembering Diana - did Princess Diana's death lead to a major shift in British culture? Professor of Sociology, Vic Seidler, talks to Laurie Taylor about his new book which analyses the repercussions of Diana, Princess of Wales', death in 1997. They are joined by the writer and social commentator, Bea Campbell. Also, the anthropologist, Henrietta Moore discusses the history and significance of Ethnographic research.

Nasar Meer discusses his study into ethnic minority Scots' relationship to Scottish Nationalism and identity. Also, does Austerity Kill? Laurie Taylor talks to political economist, David Stuckler, about the public health costs of the financial crisis. They are joined by David Smith Economic Editor of the Sunday Times.

A matter of time - Jane Sturges, discusses her research into professionals caught up, both reluctantly as well as willingly, in a 'long hours' work culture. Empty labour - Laurie Taylor explores with sociologist Roland Paulsen the reasons why some employees spend large percentages of their day engaged in private pursuits. They're joined by the writer, Michael Bywater. Also,

The multicultural prison. How do diverse British nationals, foreign and migrant populations negotiate their tensions and differences within prison walls? Laurie talks to the criminologist, Coretta Phillips about her research in Rochester Young Offenders' Institution and Maidstone Prison. Also why jellied eels make us squirm, Alex Rhys-Taylor on expressions of distaste and the production of class distinctions.