In the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the world has turned to science for effective solutions. However, using scientific research to influence government policies, especially in the middle of a crisis, requires the use of multiple other skills, which the humanities can provide. The field of humanities is more relevant now than ever before. In this podcast episode, Dr. Amy Daughton, Lecturer and Head of the Department of Theology and Religion at the University of Birmingham, discusses the importance of humanities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This discussion is based on Prof Charlotte Hempel’s paper “Let’s hear it for the humanities in the fight against COVID-19,” originally published in Brill’s Religion Media Centre.  Guest: <a href='https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/tr/daughton-amy.aspx'>Dr Amy Daughton</a> Host: <a href='https://www.leighgiangreco.com/about'>Leigh Giangreco</a>

Episode 27: Filling the Gaps in Animal Ethics—What Has Been Neglected and What Can Be Done, with Judith Benz-Schwarzburg

With the challenges the world is facing today, the humanities and social sciences are needed and more relevant than ever to help us understand what it means to ‘lead a good life’. The authors and editors, with whom Brill collaborates, dedicate their academic life to asking critical questions on globalization, the rise and fall of societies, migration, the functioning of our democracies, the history of conflicts and international relations, inequality, water security or climate change, to name just a few. In this year’s article we let our authors and editors explain – from their personal perspectives – why it is crucial for society to continue investing in research in the humanities and social sciences. They give us a glance into their field of research, individual work, methodologies and motivation, and they demonstrate why the humanities have been and will remain a vital pillar of academia and society.