The latest episode of LSE IQ poses the question: What’s the point of social science in a pandemic?

When governments across the world were forced to take unprecedented measures in response to COVID-19 in 2020, much attention was focused on the teams of scientific and medical experts assembled to advise and develop national policy responses. With the notable exception of the controversial role played by behavioural science, there has been less focus on the many and varied contributions made by social scientists.

In this episode the LSE IQ team talk to anthropologists Professor Laura Bear and Nikita Simpson, Economic historians Professor Patrick Wallis and Professor Joan Roses, Assistant Professor of Global Health Policy Dr Clare Wenham and behavioural economist Dr Adam Oliver, who reflect on how they and their disciplines have provided scientific advice to government, engaged with policymakers and shaped the public response to COVID-19.

Listen to the episode on the player below, or on: 🔊 LSE Player 🔊 Spotify 🔊 Apple Podcasts and find all the episodes of LSE IQ here.