January’s episode of the LSE IQ podcast asks the question, ‘What’s the point of social science in a pandemic?’. 

On 23 March 2020, Boris Johnson announced the country’s first national lockdown. In the months since, there has been a seismic shift in all our lives. As we embark on 2021 and, hopefully, the latter stages of the pandemic, this episode reflects on how we’ve got to where we are. While the scientific community has taken centre stage in the fight to overcome the virus, how have social scientists helped us navigate – and evaluate –the UK’s response?

We talk to anthropologists Laura Bear and Nikita Simpson, economic historians Patrick Wallis and Joan Roses, Clare Wenham and behavioural economist Adam Oliver.

‘The government hasn’t really thought about women at all’ – Clare Wenham

Listen to this episode on the LSE player. Or search for LSE iQ on your favourite podcast app. We’re also now available on Spotify.

Header and featured image: A member of the LSE’s cleaning staff in September 2020. Photo: LSE in Pictures.