The Very Short Introductions Podcast
A concise and original introduction to a wide range of subjects—from Public Health to Buddhist Ethics, Soft Matter to Classics, and Art History to Globalization—by the expert authors of the Very Short Introductions series. For wherever your curiosity may take you.
Episodes
December 14, 2023 • 11 mins
In the last episode of Season 7, Liba Taub introduces the science of ancient Greece and Rome and details the link between poetry, philosophy, and science. A PDF transcript for this episode can be found here: https://oxfordacademic.blubrry.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/VSI-Ep-79-Ancient-Greek-and-Roman-Science-transcript.pdf Learn more about Ancient Greek and Roman Science: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/aca...
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December 7, 2023 • 14 mins
In this episode, David A. Bell introduces Napoleon Bonaparte and his revolutionary life and career. A PDF transcript for this episode can be found here: https://oxfordacademic.blubrry.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/VSI-Ep-78-Napoleon-transcript.pdf Learn more about “Napoleon: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/napoleon-a-very-short-introduction-9780199321667 David A. Bell is the Sidney and Ruth...
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November 30, 2023 • 14 mins
In this episode, Ross H. McKenzie introduces condensed matter physics, the field which aims to explain how states of matter and their distinct physical properties emerge. A PDF transcript for this episode can be found here: https://oxfordacademic.blubrry.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/VSI-Ep-77-Condensed-Matter-Physics-transcript.pdf Learn more about “Condensed Matter Physics: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com...
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November 16, 2023 • 15 mins
In this episode, Naomi Zack introduces democracy and the challenges posed against such a foundational part of our lives in the 21st century. A PDF transcript for this episode can be found here: https://oxfordacademic.blubrry.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/VSI-Ep-76-Democracy-transcript.pdf Learn more about “Democracy: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/democracy-a-very-short-introduction-978019...
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November 9, 2023 • 14 mins
In this episode, Lyman Tower Sargent introduces utopianism, an idea that is commonplace in our society and has shaped our politics, literature, and religion. A PDF transcript for this episode can be found here: https://oxfordacademic.blubrry.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/VSI-Ep-75-Utopianism-transcript.pdf Learn more about “Utopianism: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/utopianism-a-very-short...
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November 2, 2023 • 11 mins
In this episode, Elleke Boehmer introduces the world-renowned figure of Nelson Mandela and looks critically at his legacy. A PDF transcript for this episode can be found here: https://oxfordacademic.blubrry.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/VSI-Ep-74-Nelson-Mandela-transcript.pdf Learn more about Nelson Mandela: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/nelson-mandela-a-very-short-introduction-97801928030...
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October 26, 2023 • 15 mins
In this episode, David Sterritt introduces the Beats, the generation of writers in the 1950s and 1960s who broke taboos and countered conservative culture to change American literature. A PDF transcript for this episode can be found here: https://oxfordacademic.blubrry.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/VSI-Ep-73-The-Beats-transcript.pdf Learn more about The Beats: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product...
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October 19, 2023 • 18 mins
In this episode, Jolyon Mitchell introduces martyrdom and explores why we view historical martyrdom differently than acts of martyrdom in today’s world. A PDF transcript for this episode can be found here: https://oxfordacademic.blubrry.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/VSI-Ep-72-Martyrdom-transcript.pdf Learn more about Martyrdom: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/martyrdom-a-very-short-introduct...
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October 12, 2023 • 12 mins
In the first episode of Season 7, David Weir introduces what we mean when we refer to the “bohemian” lifestyle and culture, and the way it has influenced spheres such as literature and cinema. A PDF transcript for this episode can be found here: https://oxfordacademic.blubrry.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/VSI-Ep-71-Bohemians-transcript.pdf Learn more about Bohemians: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/...
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June 8, 2023 • 9 mins
In the last episode of Season 6, Alan Tansman introduces Japanese literature, a canon that stretches back 1500 years, and includes writers such as Murasaki Shikibu and Haruki Murakami. Learn more about Japanese Literature: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/japanese-literature-a-very-short-introduction-9780199765256 Alan Tansman is Professor and Louis B. Agassiz Chair in Japanese at the Universi...
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June 1, 2023 • 13 mins
In the episode, Thomas Dixon introduces the history of emotions, showing the complex nature of our emotions and how they have developed culturally. Learn more about The History of Emotions: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-history-of-emotions-a-very-short-introduction-9780198818298 Thomas Dixon is Professor of History and Director of the Centre for the History of the Emotions at Queen …
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May 25, 2023 • 14 mins
In this episode, David Bender introduces nutrition, a topic of interest to us all as we try to live healthier lives but one which can prove confusing due to the wealth of information and misinformation available to us. Learn more about Nutrition: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/nutrition-a-very-short-introduction-9780199681921 David Bender is Emeritus Professor of Nutritional … Read more
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May 18, 2023 • 13 mins
In this episode, Karen Radner introduces Ancient Assyria, a kingdom which grew to be geographically vast, socially diverse, and multicultural. Learn more about Ancient Assyria: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/ancient-assyria-a-very-short-introduction-9780198715900 Karen Radner holds the Alexander von Humboldt Chair of the Ancient History of the Near and Middle East at LMU Munich. Her research...
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May 11, 2023 • 14 mins
In this episode, Jonathan Slack introduces stem cells and how they can be used in the treatment of a range of diseases. Learn more about Stem Cells: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/stem-cells-a-very-short-introduction-9780198869290 Jonathan Slack is Emeritus Professor at the University of Bath and the University of Minnesota. His work specialises in embryonic development and … Read more
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May 4, 2023 • 17 mins
In this episode, Ian Stewart introduces the concept of infinity and discusses its application to mathematics, science, and everyday life. Learn more about Infinity: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/infinity-a-very-short-introduction-9780198755234 Ian Stewart is Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at Warwick University. He is a well-known and highly successful writer on mathematics and its applic...
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April 27, 2023 • 17 mins
In this episode, Philip Mladenov introduces marine biology, a field whose importance is ever growing as our oceans undergo rapid and profound changes due to human influence. Learn more about Marine Biology: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/marine-biology-a-very-short-introduction-9780198841715 Philip Mladenov has 40 years of professional experience in marine and environmental research, teachin...
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April 20, 2023 • 17 mins
In the first episode of Season 6, Ian Goldin introduces development, the process by which nations escape poverty and achieve economic and social progress. This crucial process has been the subject of extensive examination for hundreds of years. Learn more about Development: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/development-a-very-short-introduction-9780198736257 Ian Goldin is Director of the Oxford...
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December 15, 2022 • 11 mins
In the final episode of Season 5, Daniel Haybron introduces the emotion most of us aspire to have—happiness—and how our pursuit of it impacts our well-being. Learn more about “Happiness: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/happiness-a-very-short-introduction-9780199590605 Daniel Haybron is is the Theodore R. Vitali C.P. Professor of Philosophy at Saint Louis University. His research focuses …
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December 8, 2022 • 10 mins
In this episode, Charles Barr introduces British cinema, the home of Ealing Studios and Alfred Hitchcock, and delves into its global significance. Learn more about “British Cinema: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/british-cinema-a-very-short-introduction-9780199688333 Charles Barr worked for many years at the University of East Anglia, helping to develop one of the first UK programmes in …
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December 1, 2022 • 18 mins
In this episode, Michelle Baddeley explores behavioural economics, a field that allows us to understand our own decision-making processes and how this can impact our financial behaviour. Learn more about “Behavioural Economics: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/behavioural-economics-a-very-short-introduction-9780198754992 Michelle Baddeley is an expert in behavioural economics and behavioural ...
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