The Hardcore Humanities Podcast

I am very happy to share my conversation with Classicist Robin Diver. Robin has completed an amazing hat-trick of Classical studies at Birmingham University, having completed an undergrad, masters and more recently, a fantastic PhD. Robin's PhD explored adaptations of Greek Mythology in children's anthologies and how they dealt with issues of sexual violence. In this episode we discuss how the Victorians presented Greek mythology to Victorian children, how the baby boomers did it and the more recent trend of retelling classic tales for kids. Enjoy!Thrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am very happy to share my conversation with New Testament textual critic Timothy Mitchell. Tim originally studied Science at Lancaster University, Pennsylvania. He then moved into religious studies by graduating from the Luther Rice University, Georgia, with a Master of Divinity. Tim is currently studying New Testament Textual Criticism for his PhD at Birmingham University. In this episode I ask Tim about ancient literature, how was it written, circulated and corrupted? And what does this mean for one of the most important texts in world history - the New Testament?Why not check out Tim's blog? => http://thetextualmechanic.blogspot.com or visit the Facebook page The Textual Mechanic | FacebookOr keep up to date with his academic work at https://bham.academia.edu/TimothyMitchellThrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am very excited to bring you Classicist Charlotte Charleston Stokes. After receiving her undergrad in Classical Civilisations and Literatures, Charlotte stayed on at Birmingham for her masters, for which she is currently studying. Charlotte's main interest is monsters, old and new. In this episode we discuss whether gender is important when studying monsters, horror theory, Medusa and Roman romance advice. Enjoy!Thrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am very pleased to bring you historian of Socialist Yugoslavia: Helena Trenkić. Helena studied History at Cambridge University for her undergrad and will soon have completed her masters, both of which in History. Next year Helena will begin her PhD, again at Cambridge. Helena looks at Social Yugoslavia's policy of non-alignment and asks whether it helped to create a 'socialist citizen'. In this episode we discuss one of Helena's main sources: history text books used in Yugoslavian schools during this period. We also talk WWII, Lenin, Stalin, Marx, Tito, Socialism and much more. I hope you enjoy this episode!Thrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am very happy to bring you environmental historian: Isobel Akerman. Isobel has an undergrad in History from the University of York and is currently studying for her MPhil in Modern History at Cambridge. Isobel's work looks at the environmental idea and how it has been communicated to the general public, using London's Kew Gardens as a case study. Isobel has also written an environment focused travel guide of the city of York (click here to pre-order) and her blog 'Big Jump History' looks at the UK's environmental past (check it out here!. In this episode we chat about the history of environmentalism, the politicisation of the environment, Kew Gardens and much more, enjoy!Keep up to date with Isobel:Twitter: @isobelakermanInstagram: bigjumphistoryBlog: https://www.bigjumphistory.comThrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/ 

I am very happy to introduce you to historian Reuben Duffy. After gaining a joint honours degree in History, Politics and International Relations from the University of Strathclyde, Reuben started his masters in Modern History at St Andrews. Reuben is interested in modern Scotland and his work focuses on Scotland's involvement the with British Empire and the eventual decolonisation process. In this episode we discuss whether there were any uniquely Scottish elements of the British Empire, decolonisation, class and religion. Oh, and we touch upon the question of modern Scotland and independence (sorry not sorry...). Enjoy!Thrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am very pleased to share my conversation with historian Lucy Coatman. Lucy has an undergrad in Theology but will soon be completing her Mlitt at St Andrew's University. Her main focus is 19th century women. However, Lucy is particularly fascinated by Baroness Mary Vetsera. Baroness Mary was found dead with heir to the Austro Hungarian thrown: Crown Prince Rudolph. Their bodies were discovered at Mayerling hunting lodge, approximately 20 miles outside Vienna, on 30th January 1889. This story has been heavily dramatised on stage and screen, but Lucy helps us clear up the fact from the fiction by charting us through what we know and what we'll never know about one of history's most fascinating and tragic tales. I hope you enjoy the episode...Why not follow Lucy on Twitter at @lucy_coatman and check out her website too! www.lucycoatman.comThrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am thrilled to introduce you to classicist Edward Armstrong. After gaining an undergrad in Ancient History, Edward compounded that subject with Classics for his MPhil, both completed at the University of Sydney. Edward is currently studying for his PhD at St Andrews University. Edward explores one of the founding fathers of historical inquest: Thucydides. In this episode we discuss Edward's main focus - how Thucydides uses character and rhetoric - as well as the great tragedian Euripides and Ancient Greek Religion. Happy listening!Interested in learning more about Edward's work? Check out his academia profile here: https://st-andrews.academia.edu/EdwardArmstrongThrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am very happy to bring you historian Joseph Stanley. Joseph is an expert on the 18th and 19th centuries, with a particular interest in the Yorkshire mining industries. After gaining his undergrad in History at Durham University, he went on the study for a PGCE at Cambridge. Joesph has recently completed his PhD which explored protest movements and the culture of work in Yorkshire, 1786 - 1839. In this episode we discuss working conditions down the mines, changes within the family unit, women and children, work houses and the industrial period more broadly. Enjoy!Keep up to date with Joseph and his work here: @joestanley_s65.Thrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am very excited to introduce you to the fascinating philosopher that is Charlotte Zemmel. Charlotte works in the field of epistemology. She has an undergrad in Natural Sciences and she is currently at Cambridge University studying for her masters in History and Philosophy of Science. In this episode we discuss Charlotte's work on Social Epistemology and Cognitive Diversity: what they are and why they are important. Enjoy!Thrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am very pleased to introduce you to philosopher of science: Shaun Stanley. Shaun gained both his undergrad and his masters in Philosophy from the Witz University in Johannesburg, South Africa. He is soon to finish four years of study for his PhD at the University of Bristol. His work explores the relationship between Darwinian  evolutionary theory and non-evolutionary social science, with a focus on cultural evolution theory - this fascinating subject is what we spend most the episode discussing. Enjoy!Thrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am very happy to be sharing my conversation with classicist Martina Delucchi. As an Italian, Martina has always had a love for the ancient world. She studied Classics at the University of Genoa and then went on to gain two masters; one also from the University of Genoa, this time  in Archaeology, and one from the University of Pisa in Classical Philology. For her PhD at the University of Bristol, of which she is current studying, Martina is exploring ancient Greek colonial and foundational myths, focusing on the little-known myth of Telephus. We also discuss why we should study the ancient world in the first place. Keep up to date with Martina's work here: https://bristol.academia.edu/MartinaDelucchi and why not following the University of Brisotl's Classics department on Twitter? https://twitter.com/bristol_clah Enjoy!Thrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

To celebrate reaching 20 episodes, I am thrilled to be releasing another extended special. Please meet philosopher Benjamin Zemmel. Benjamin is Jewish and works in the field of religion and ethics. After gaining his undergrad in Judiac Studies, he went on to gain his master in Philosophy from Birmingham University. Benjamin will soon embark upon another postgrad, this time at Edinburgh University in Epistemology. In this episode we not only discuss the historical arguments for and against God's existence, but we also explore some of the more recent additions to the debate. I hope you will enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it. Oh, and don't forget to check out Benjamin's podcast 'The Jewish Philosophy Podcast' here: https://jewishpodcasts.fm/jewishphilosophypodcast and check them out on twitter: @TheJewishPhilo1.Thrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am very happy to be sharing the second part of my conversation with Jan-Wilem Prügel. Make sure you have listened to part one before getting stuck into this episode! (It is episode 16). In this conversation, we cover the eclectic philosophical movement of 19th century America known as 'Transcendentalism', for which Jan is currently studying as the focus of his DPhil at Oxford University. However, before that we pick up where we left off on how German legal theories made there way into the legal system of Latin America. Thrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am very happy to introduce you to literary historian Inigo Purcell. After completing his MPhil in Medieval Literature at Cambridge, he began his PhD; a joint programme at the University of Bristol and the Macquarie University in Sydney. Inigo's work explores one of the most famous and continually told stories in history: King Arthur. In this episode we discuss the story's literary sources, the politics that  surround the story's foundations and how/why King Arthur continues to have such staying power. Why not keep update to date Inigo on Twitter? @inigo_purcellYou can also check out his blog here: inigopurcell.wordpress.comThrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am very pleased to bring you this conversation with historian Katherine Arnold. Katherine has a masters from University College London in History and is soon to be finishing her PhD after 4 years of study at the London School of Economics. Katherine is a specialist of 19th century Germany, with a specific focus on German imperialism and the natural history of its colonies. In this episode we discuss the the huge changes Germany went through in the 19th century, the second reich and Europe's tradition of exhibiting artefacts gathered from territories overseas.Why not have a look at Katherine's website: https://www.lse.ac.uk/International-History/People/PhD/arnold/arnoldhttps://www.lse.ac.uk/International-History/People/PhD/arnold/arnoldOr follow Katherine on Twitter at @karnold01Thrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am very happy to introduce you to Jan-Willem Prügel. Jan's studies cover so many different fields and periods that I couldn't keep our conversation to the usual 30-40 minutes in length. So here is the first half of our 1hr and 30 minutes long conversation. Jan is a historian of law, economics and intellectual ideas. After studying law at Heidelberg University, he gained his masters in History from Cambridge. Jan currently works for the German Ministry of  the Interior and is studying part-time for his DPhil at Oxford - and he still found time to talk to me! His work covers the legal debates around the removal of the Native American population in the early 19th century, the legality of the USA's Declaration of Independence,  legal thought in Latin America and the 19th century intellectual  movement known as Transcendentalism. This episode covers the former two but you'll have to wait until the second part of the conversation is released to hear our discussion of the latter two. Thank you for listening.Thrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am very excited to be sharing my conversation with historian Diego Repenning Lopez. Diego is originally from Chile but has always had a fascination with Russia and the mysterious territory of Siberia. He came to the UK to study Russian at the University of Bristol and has since completed his masters and his PhD there. In this episode Diego will help us understand that there is more to Siberia than extreme weather and Soviet dissidents. We discuss the history of Siberia, how it came to be 'Russian', how it has been governed, its status as a colony and much more.Thrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am thrilled to introduce you to political historian Rachel Reville. Rachel has studied at York university before completeling here masters at the London School of Economics. She is currently doing her PhD at Oxford part-time as she works in for a Labour member of parliament in Westminster.  In this episode we discuss Rachel's work, the career of 32nd President of the United States, Franklin D Roosevelt and the impact his New Deal policies had on the British left. Thrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am super excited to share my conversation with Cambridge social scientist Catherine Cooke. Catherine is doing some tough but very important work on generated violence in Bermuda. Bermuda has never seen research of this kind so Catherine is blazing a trial. In this episode we discuss the history of Bermuda, society on a collection of tiny islands in the middle of the Atlantic and the focus of Catherine's work: gendered violence.Thrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am extremely happy to be bringing you Oxford historian Berklee Baum. Berklee is an expert on the memorialisation of genocides. After studying the memorialisation of the holocaust by the USA and the UK, Berklee is currently studying for her PhD in a similar vain but now she brings more countries and genocides into the equation. In this episode we explore what memorialisation is, how and by whom questions regarding memorials are decided and  why some genocides get remembered more than others.Why not follow Berklee on twitter? @BaumBerkleeThrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am very pleased to bring you, from Cardiff University, ancient historian Clare Parry.  Clare has studied ancient history all the way from degree level to MPhil. She is a specialist in ancient Near Eastern iconography. Clare is exploring how we can use ancient iconography to help us understand and interpret the Bible, she is currently working on the dramatic book of Isaiah. In this episode we discuss ancient civilisations, symbols and characters from mythology as diverse as Moses, Cupid and Gandalf the Wizard.You can find Clare on Twitter: @ClareParry_Thrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

To celebrate reaching 10 episodes I am extremely excited to bring you an extended episode! Please meet historian Rachel Chua. Rachael originally studied law at the London School of Economics but decided to switch her focus to history (good choice) and is now studying at University College London for her PhD. Her work explores China and in this episode we discuss the Qing Empire, the opium wars, western missionaries in China, Chinese medicine and the cultural revolution. Thrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am very excited to share my conversation with historian Ferdinand Mowinckel. Ferdinand is currently studying for his masters of studies at Oxford, after graduating from Exeter University in History. In our chat we discuss his work which explores inter-war Germany: Weimar Republics, politics and satire and his current work on the diary accounts of Weimar youths.Thrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am thrilled to bring you Cambridge sociologist Lucy Mahaffey. Lucy has a double major from the University of Oklahoma and is currently studying for her MPhil at Cambridge. In our talk we discuss Lucy's amazing research into a tough and very troubling subject: modern slavery/people trafficking. What are their definitions? How can we act? What are some of the victim's stories?Thrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am delighted to introduce you to historian and international relations expert William Klintworth. William is a graduate of Exeter University where he studied History and International Relations. He now at Cambridge studying for his masters in Politics and International Studies, for which he focuses on China. In our discussion we talk about Britain's withdrawal from territories 'East of Suez', China in the twentieth century and China in the future.Why not follow William on Twitter? > @WillKlintworthThrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am very happy to be sharing my conversation with theologian and church historian Colin Donnerlly.  With an MPhil from Oxford and a soon to be completed PhD from Durham, Colin is an authority on this subject.  In this episode we discuss early reformer Thomas Bilney, the nature of 'conversions' and whether religion and politics can be truly separate. Thrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

It is an absolute pleasure to introduce you to social scientist Luke Waktins. Luke will soon be embarking upon a PhD in sociology, adding to his masters and bachelor degrees, both from the University of Bath. Luke's work focuses on contemporary youth culture and his most recent research is on drill music. In this episode we discuss the debates surrounding drill music: violence, freedom of expression, artists and why/how it has become so popular.Thrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am thrilled to be bringing you Joelle Lucas. Joelle is a theologian from Durham University where she gained her masters in Biblical Theology and is currently studying for her PhD. Joelle's work explores friendship and in this episode we discuss the meaning of friendship, different types of friendship and why Joelle thinks we need to re-examine our understanding of friendship (and how I think FRIENDS -that's Rachel, Ross, Phoebe, Chandler, Joey and Monica - might have a part to play...)Check out Joelle's blog https://friendsofvirtue.home.blog/ or visit her Durham academia profile https://durham.academia.edu/JoelleLucas.Thrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am very proud to introduce you to historian Hannah Westwick. Hannah is currently studying for her Masters of Studies at Oxford University. She specialises in female travellers and travel literature. We talk about why these inspirational women started to travel, where they travelled to, how they were welcomed (or not) by their hosts, safety and why we travel at all.Thrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

I am very excited to introduce you to political scientist Isabelle DeSisto. She is a graduate of Harvard University and is currently studying for her MPhil at Cambridge. We talk about her work in international relations, foreign exchange programs, the USSR, Cuba and the International response to the 1986 disaster at Chernobyl.Keep up to date with Isabelle on twitter at @isadesis or visit her website isabelledesisto.com.Thrive by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Jamie puts questions to a variety of researchers from the best universities in the UK. Each episode will feature a different academic and a discussion about their specialist work. If you want to take a deep dive into history, politics, arts, culture, religion, theology, sociology, anthropology and lots more, then this is the podcast for you.