Thinking Allowed

Organised crime in the UK - Professor Dick Hobbs, joins Laurie Taylor, to discuss his study into 'Dogtown', a composite of several overlapping neighbourhoods in East London where activity which was once the preserve of professional criminals has now been normalised. They consider whether or not the idea of organised crime has become outdated. Also, the Mafia in the UK, Dr Felia Allum explores the extent to which Italian organised crime functions outside its territory of origin.

Bolt Wars', rock climbers in conflict. Lisa Bogardus describes a battle for the cliffs in which climbers clash about the need to reduce risk and danger. Also, Russian women prisoners. Sociologist, Judith Pallot, talks to Laurie Taylor about a study of prisoners and officers in different regions of Russia. They discuss how vast distances between prisons and women’s homes impact on women and their families. They're joined by the criminologist, Dr Sharon Shalev.

Neo Liberalism – its birth and development. Laurie Taylor talks to Daniel Stedman Jones about the origins of Neo liberal economics. Also, What does the 'love of difference' via music contribute to contemporary perspectives on racism? Jo Haynes speaks about the complex relationship between race and music. Professor Paul Gilroy joins the discussion.

Consumer pleasures - in a New Year special edition, Laurie Taylor explores the place of shopping in our lives, as well as within sociological thought. He's joined by Professor Colin Campbell, Dr Kate Soper and Professor Rachel Bowlby.

Intoxication. Why do so many people chose to alter their consciousness with stimulants, whether legal or illicit? Laurie Taylor explores the role and meaning of both alcohol and drugs in human life with three experts James Mills, author of 'Cannabis Nation', Professor of criminology Fiona Measham and Chris Hackley author of influential research articles on binge drinking.

Military Migrants. Laurie explores the impact of our increasingly multinational armed forces. Vron Ware and Les Back discuss with Laurie. Also, Deborah Butler discusses her research on female jockeys.

British politics, heritage and history. Laurie Taylor explores the divergent stories political parties tell about our history with Emily Robinson who contends that politicians' manipulation of the past leaves them unable to speak of different futures. They are joined by Mary Riddell, Assistant Editor of the Telegraph. Also, Allison James talks about her research on the experience of sick children in hospital.

Tim Strangleman discusses his study into work identity and 'loss': how older railway workers have reacted to change in their industry. Also, How to be Gay - Laurie Taylor talks to David Halperin author of a new book which charts and celebrates gay male identity and culture and explores the way in which a gay male sensibility subverts mainstream culture, from Grand Opera to Broadway Musicals. They are joined by writer and cultural critic Owen Jones.

Sociologist, Kate Woodthorpe explores how funeral arrangements illuminate the modern family relationships. Red Tape in India. Laurie Taylor talks to Professor Akhil Gupta about his research on why state bureaucracy hinders the fight against poverty in rural Uttar Pradesh. Anthropologist, Dr Alpa Shah, joins the discussion.

Archaeology of homelessness. Rachael Kiddey discusses the significance of artefacts found in two homelessness sites in Bristol and York. What can these items, as well as oral histories from the homeless, reveal about what it means to have no shelter in the 21st century? 'The Last Refuge' Laurie Taylor considers Peter Townsend's landmark research, fifty years after its publication. He is joined by Julia Johnson, one of the authors of a new study which charts the changes and continuities in care for older people in England and Wales and by Robin Darton, an expert in social care.

The British riots of 2011. Laurie Taylor talks to Daniel Briggs about his research into the nature and causes of last year's summer of discontent and damage. Also, the sociologists, Jill Ebrey and Guy Standing, ask whether or not the weekend as a time for rest, family life and pleasure, is under threat from contemporary patterns of work.

Couchsurfing, Laurie Taylor talks to Paula Bialski about her research amongst coach surfers and online hitchhiking website users which documents new forms of human hospitality and connection. Also, trauma advocacy in Croatia; Vanessa Pupavac and Ben Shephard reflect on the growth of compensation schemes for victims of civil war

The strip and lap dancing industry. Laurie Taylor talks to Kate Hardy about her research which suggests that the proliferation of these clubs has little to do with the demands of male customers. Also, the anthropologist, Daniel Miller asks what the ubiquity of blue jeans tells us about our individual and social lives. He's joined by the sociologist, Sophie Woodward.

'Against Security', are the stringent checks at airports really for our benefit American sociologist, Harvey Molotch, talks to Laurie Taylor about his new book and the complex systems which are designed to make us feel safe in public places. They're joined by the design critic, Stephen Bayley. Also, Alberto Toscano discusses Sociology's failure to address the financial crisis.

The 'New' Arab Man. Laurie Taylor talks to Marcia Inhorn about her study which found that ordinary Arab men who confront childlessness and infertility are re-thinking conventional masculinity. Also, Matthew Bond discusses his research into elite club membership in the House of Lords. Karel Williams, Professor of Sociology, joins the discussion.