Tapestry of Cohesion Podcast
Tapestry of Cohesion is a podcast by the Social Cohesion Research Programme (SCRP) at the S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, exploring the critical issues shaping social cohesion in today’s world. Through insightful conversations with experts across disciplines, we examine the challenges and opportunities of building more inclusive and resilient societies.
As a platform for meaningful dialogue, this series spotlights key themes from the International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS), positioning it as the premier forum for advancing discussions on cohesion.
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Title & Author |
Date |
Synopsis |
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Episode 3: How Rituals Shape our World: From Faith to Football with Professor Harvey Whitehouse |
4 April 2025 |
Renowned Professor Harvey Whitehouse, from the Centre for the Study of Social Cohesion at the University of Oxford, explores the powerful bonds that hold communities together. In this episode, he shares key insights from his latest book, Inheritance: The Evolutionary Origins of the Modern World, delving into themes of conformism, religiosity, and tribalism. Amongst other topics, he unpacks the impact of doctrinal and imagistic rituals on our lives, the complex relationship between religion and morality, the idea of toxic masculinity, and highlights The Twinning Project — an initiative that uses sports to help prepare prison inmates for social reintegration. |
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21 March 2025 |
Religion experts Professor Yoshiko Ashiwa and Venerable Chuan Sheng explore the evolving role of faith in modern society, highlighting how religion can offer spiritual and moral guidance amid contemporary challenges like instant gratification and social media addiction. They emphasise that religions and rituals need not be static or rigid; instead, our approaches to religion can be fluid, adapting to the diverse circumstances individuals face at different stages of life. |
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Episode 1: Lord Alderdice on Effective Leadership for Multicultural Societies |
07 March 2025 |
As a seasoned politician and expert in navigating complex negotiations between diverse groups, Lord John Alderdice shares his insights on the role of leadership in multicultural societies. He explores the intricate balance between democracy, human nature, and societal differences — shedding light on the challenges and opportunities in fostering social cohesion. |