In Our Spare Times
by Oxford University
An academic podcast in which a panel of Oxford students and young researchers join hosts Jan-Willem Prügel, Aled Walker and Alice Harberd to discuss their academic and intellectual passions. Each episode will have a different theme, ranging from Marxism to Medieval Song, Cicero to Sondheim -- a tribute to the astonishing diversity of thought which takes place in Oxford.Twitter: @Oxford_IOST
Episodes
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Conservatism
In this episode, Jan-Willem Prügel discusses the historical origins and philosophical characteristics of Conservatism with two brilliant Oxford students of the humanities. Some say Conservatism is not even a proper political belief, some think of it as shorthand for the politics of the Tory or...
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Number Systems
Jan-Willem Prügel questions three Oxford mathematicians about the mythical entities known as numbers. What are they? And perhaps even more importantly, why are they? Show notes: https://media.podcasts.ox.ac.uk/ball/in_our_spare_time/sparetimes-number-systems-show-notes.pdf
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The Problem of Evil
Oxford students discuss the problem posed by the existence of evil in the world to the Christian and Hindu gods.
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Nuclear Fusion
Aled Walker, Justin Ball, Valerian Chen, Jason Parisi discuss nuclear fusion as part of the In Our Spare Time series.
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Language, Mobility and Belonging
A new episode of of in our spare time, this time looking at the social aspects of language.
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Criminology
Oxford graduate students discuss Criminology, and the societal affects of real-life crime documentaries. In the final months of 2014, the most downloaded podcast on iTunes wasn't on politics or on current affairs, it was no grand historical narrative, and it certainly wasn't a comedy. The podcast...
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Évariste Galois
Oxford graduate students discuss the life and work of 19th century French mathematical prodigy Évariste Galois To appear on a commemorative stamp is surely the greatest stamp of fame. Évariste Galois -- 'Révolutionnaire et Géomètre', as the French stamp says -- was one of the most unusual and...
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Clytemenstra
Host Alice Harberd discusses Clytemnestra, a fascinating character from Greek Tragedy, with Emily Clifford and Lily Aaronovitch.
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Science and Politics
Oxford DPhil students discuss the relationship between scientific advice and government policy The relationship between scientists and politicians has never been an easy one. These days scientists advice our government on anything from run-of-the-mill policy decisions, to cyber-warfare, to…
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The American election of 1896
Host Aled Walker is joined by DPhil students Nonie Kubie and Daniel Rowe to discuss the American presidential election of 1896, a fascinating and pivotal moment in American history. "Having behind us the commercial interests and the labouring interests and all the toiling masses, we shall answer...
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Shakespeare and Music
Alice Harberd, Michael Dobson, Fleur Smith, Adriana Stoiber, and Simon Smith discuss Shakespeare and Music.
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Marxism
Host Aled Walker and guests Cameron J. Quinn and Xavier Cohen discuss the life, the work, and the legacy of Karl Marx. Many famous men and women have found their final rest in Highgate cemetery: Michael Faraday rubs shoulders with George Eliot, Christina Rossetti with Anna Mahler. Yet of all…
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The Prime Number Theorem
Oxford Students discuss the Prime Number Theorem. Prime numbers have fascinated mathematicians since there were mathematicians to be fascinated, and The Prime Number Theorem is one of the crowning achievements of 19th century mathematics. The theorem answers, in a precise form, a very basic and...
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The life of Oscar Wilde
Oxford students discuss the life of Oscar Wilde. "What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything, and the value of nothing." "Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination." "True friends stab you in the front." This great wit of the English language needs no...
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Medieval Song
Oxford students discuss medieval songs. The thirteenth century was a time of great change in Europe. The cities of Florence, Paris and Arras became thriving commercial centres; following the disastrous reign of King John of England, the French crown had also grown significantly in strength. Into...
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Cicero's 'De Inventione''
Oxford students discuss roman senator Cicero. In 43BC, a year after the assassination of Julius Caesar, a man's severed head and hands were nailed to the speaker's podium of the Roman Senate. They had belonged to Marcus Tullius Cicero, who had risen from humble origins to become one of the most...
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Dark Matter
Oxford Students discuss Dark Matter. For over three millennia, astronomers have been observing the heavens. Yet, less than one hundred years ago, observations were made suggesting the existence of a previously unknown substance, permeating the universe in vast abundance, yet invisible to even the...
About this show
An academic podcast in which a panel of Oxford students and young researchers join hosts Jan-Willem Prügel, Aled Walker and Alice Harberd to discuss their academic and intellectual passions. Each episode will have a different theme, ranging from Marxism to Medieval Song, Cicero to Sondheim -- a tribute to the astonishing diversity of thought which takes place in Oxford.Twitter: @Oxford_IOST
Hosted by
Oxford University
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