Thinking Allowed

Live music - from Dance Hall to the 100 Club. Laurie Taylor talks to writer and Professor of Music, Simon Frith, co-authors of The History of Live Music in Britain. They discuss the evolving nature of musical fashions; the impact of developing technologies and the balance of power between live and recorded music businesses. Dr Catherine Tackley, musician and lecturer, and Caspar Melville, lecturer in Global Cultural Industries, join the debate.

Stammering and identity - Dr Clare Butler discusses her research on how people who stammer learn to control, conceal and rise above the stigma of a style of speech which departs from the norm. Also, poverty in the US - why does America have more poor people than any other developed country? Laurie Taylor talks to Monica Prasad about her new book, 'The Land of too Much; She contends that a particular tradition of government intervention in America has undermined the development of a European-style welfare state. They're joined by Professor of Social Policy, Peter Taylor-Gooby, who provides a British perspective.

Middle class enclaves and escapes. In this special edition partly recorded at the British Sociological Association's 2013 conference Laurie Taylor discusses research into the various manifestations of the desire for enclaves, escapes and the 'good life'. Maggy Lee talks about the rapid expansion of residential tourism and 'lifestyle migration' between Hong Kong and mainland China. Nick Osbaldiston looks at 'lifestyle migrants' in Australia who move to small, mainly coastal communities. And Ceren Yalcin explores the proliferation of 'sealed off' housing complexes in Istanbul. They're joined by Rowland Atkinson who has done extensive research into gentrification, gated communities and housing inequality.

Laurie Taylor discusses the 'Great British Class Survey' and debates the merits of this new approach to class stratification with Mike Savage, Professor in Sociology at the LSE and one of the survey researchers. They are joined by Professor Colin Mills, lecturer in Sociology at Nuffield College, Oxford and Beverley Skeggs, Professor of Sociology at Goldsmiths College, London. Also, Professor Dick Hobbs offers a tribute to the eminent criminologist, Geoff Pearson who died recently.

The Power of oil - Laurie Taylor presents a special programme which explores the role of oil in shaping our society, economy and environment. He talks to James Marriott of Platform, co-author with Mika Minio-Paluello of 'The Oil Road'. They're also joined by Timothy Mitchell whose work focuses on the relationship between democracy and oil; and by Professor John Urry, whose latest work pioneers a sociology of energy, analysing our carbon addiction in the light of ever dwindling resources.

Heritage politics in the UK - Laurie Taylor talks to Ruth Adams, the author of a new study which argues that the heritage lobby has transformed the architectural heritage of the aristocracy from a minority interest to a cause with popular support? Also, Dr Caroline Gatrell discusses her sociological exploration of the everyday lives of modern day parish priests. She is joined by Bishop Nigel Peyton, co-author with Caroline of a new book ‘Managing Clergy Lives’.

Dr Tracey Jensen charts the rise of 'new thrift' projects in popular culture; how to do more with less in an age of austerity. Also,'Thatcherism' - Laurie Taylor is joined by Dr Robert Saunders, co-editor of Making Thatcher’s Britain and Geoff Andrews, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Studies to discuss Margaret Thatcher’s ideology and its impact on academic research and universities.

Women in combat - Laurie Taylor explores gender and the military in the light of the US decision to allow women into the frontline of battle. He talks to Anthony King, Professor in Sociology at the University of Exeter; Christopher Coker, Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Joanna Bourke, Professor of History at Birkbeck College.

The geographer, Kendra Strauss, discusses her research into the origins and rise of gang labour in the UK. Professor of Human Geography, Ben Rogaly joins the discussion. Also, Industrial Ruination. Laurie Taylor talks to Alice Mah about her comparative study into urban dereliction in three contrasting contexts - Newcastle, UK; Niagara Falls, Canada; and Ivanova, Russia.

The language of food politics, Professor Guy Cook explains how our choices and beliefs about what we eat are influenced by the persuasive power of words. Also, an Italian food market - Rachel Black talks to Laurie Taylor about her ethnographic account of Porto Palazzo, one of Europe's largest outdoor markets. Professor Sophie Watson currently studying street markets and joins the discussion.

The Guatemalan cemetery with no more room. Anthropologist Kevin O'Neill discusses the harsh effects of an aggressive policy of disinterment when poor relatives can't pay the dues. Also, Art Auctions - How do auctioneers and buyers transact sales in seconds? Laurie Taylor talks to Professor Christian Heath about his study into the tools and techniques which lead to the strike of a hammer. They're joined by the arts writer and critic, Georgina Adams.

Drugs for life - Laurie Taylor explores the growing medicalization of our everyday lives. Anthropologist, Joseph Dumit talks about his research into the burgeoning consumption of medicine in the US. John Abraham, British sociologist and co-director of the Centre for Research in Health and Medicine (University of Sussex) joins the discussion. Also, hanging on to a subcultural identity - teds, mods, punks or goths… - when youth has passed. Professor Angela McRobbie analyses the phenomenon.

Katherine Appleford discusses her research on class, motherhood and fashion - how mothers influence their daughters' fashion choices. Also, 'Red Racisms' - Laurie Taylor talks to the Professor Ian Law, about his study of racism in Communist and Post-Communist countries. They're joined by the historian, Michael Stewart.

The growth of 'Chav' or 'Ned' Pride in Scotland. Laurie Taylor talks to Sociologist, Robert Young, who contends that some young Scots are proudly adopting the 'Ned' label as a mark of sub cultural rebellion. Steph Lawlor, who has also studied the 'chav' phenomenon, joins the discussion. Also, Weapon Dogs - Laurie considers whether status canines are the new urban menace when he talks to Simon Harding author of 'Unleashed’.

Stan Cohen (1942-2013) - his work and legacy. Howard Becker, Stuart Hall and Conor Gearty pay tribute to Stan Cohen, a friend, colleague and one of the most significant sociologists of our times. Laurie Taylor is joined in the studio by three younger academics, Dr Karen Lumsden, Dr David Scott and Dr Claire Moon to discuss Stan Cohen's on-going influence.