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Over the course of a year, academics, journalists, philosophers, and artists from around the world came together to explore the question of social cohesion: what it means, how we can achieve it, and whether it is possible or even desirable. In a four-part podcast series, members of the Humboldt Residency Programme discuss how aspects of diversity, nationalism and populism, technology, and the power of arts and culture contribute to the (un)making of communities.
The podcast series
The podcast is also available here:
Summary of the episodes
The first episode of the Humboldt Residency Podcast takes us back to the roots of nationalism and reviews the historical effects of right-wing populism in forging homogenous communities. Listen in to the conversation between
- Richard Mole, Professor of Political Sociology at University College London
- Alexander Stagnell, Postdoctoral Researcher in Rhetoric at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium, and Södertörn University, Sweden
- Ronen Steinke, political commentator and author, Berlin
Moderator: Ronen Steinke, political commentator and author (Berlin)
In the second episode of the Humboldt Residency Podcast, researchers from South Africa, Israel, Chile, and Sweden ask whether liberal or leftist political perspectives can achieve social cohesion in diverse and multicultural societies. Coming together to discuss mechanisms of group identity and polarisation are:
- Alexander Stagnell, Postdoctoral Researcher in Rhetoric at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium, and Södertörn University, Sweden
- Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser, Professor of Political Science at Diego Portales University, Chile
- Christa Rautenbach, Professor of Law at North-West University, South Africa
- Julia Elad-Strenger, Professor of Psychology at Bar Ilan University, Israel
Moderator: Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser, Professor of Political Science, Diego Portales University (Santiago de Chile)
Four members of the Humboldt Residency Programme reflect on the power of art and culture to foster relationships within communities. How do the form and content of artistic expression help people to forge individual and group identities? And how can art give voice to those facing social and political repression? Listen in to a conversation between
- Amina Atiq, Yemeni-Scouse poet and performance artist, Liverpool
- Lea Kuhar, philosopher and sociologist, Ljubljana/Berlin
- Mala Pandurang, Professor of English and Principal of BMN College, Mumbai
- Cynthia-Miller Idriss, creative lead of the 2022 cohort of the Humboldt Residency Programme and Director of the Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL), American University, Washington, D.C.
Moderator: Cynthia-Miller Idriss, Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL) at American University (Washington, D.C.)
What helps to combat misinformation? Members of the Humboldt Residency Programme talk about the threat of online radicalisation and the need for digital literacy as well as successful measures that could help to counter extremism in digital spheres. Coming together to explore these issues are:
- Angela Saini, science journalist and author, New York/London
- Cynthia-Miller Idriss, creative lead of the 2022 cohort of the Humboldt Residency Programme and Director of the Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL), American University, Washington, D.C.
- Pasha Dashtgard, Research Assistant Professor at the Department of Justice, Law and Criminology, American University, Washington D.C.
Moderator: Angela Saini, journalist and author (New York/London)