Authors

Theory Buzz Podcast

Social theory examines the fundamental problems, inequalities, and forms of violence that shape our world, but can often be uninviting or perplexing to those not steeped in its language. We aim to clarify its importance, and in the process, learn, politicize, and personalize the most incisive social theory around the globe today.

 

Theory Buzz Podcast (TBP) is a podcast that brings authors, books, and theory together in a dynamic way. Away from both lofty pretenses and empiricist disdain, we cut through the jargon to elucidate important ideas and emphasize their significance to our moment. Every month, we hold a friendly but productive conversation with an author of a recent book in social theory, broadly conceived (don’t hold us to account on “recent”). Our conversations will address the history and trajectories of these works, while emphasizing their relevance to, and impact on, the worlds we live in. 

 

Hosts:


Elisabeth Anker 
is an Associate Professor of American Studies and Political Science at George Washington University. She is the author of Orgies of Feeling: Melodrama and the Politics of Freedom (Duke, 2014) and the forthcoming book Ugly Freedoms (Duke, 2022 expected).  She is also co-editor of the journal Theory & Event, and a frequent contributor on international television and radio news. @libankerDC

 
Bassam Haddad is Director of the Middle East and Islamic Studies Program and Associate Professor at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University. He is the author of Business Networks in Syria: The Political Economy of Authoritarian Resilience (Stanford University Press, 2011) and co-editor of A Critical Political Economy of the Middle East (Stanford University Press, 2021). Bassam is Co-Founder/Editor of Jadaliyya Ezine and Executive Director of the Arab Studies Institute. He serves as Founding Editor of the Arab Studies Journal and the Knowledge Production Project. Bassam is co-producer/director of the award-winning documentary film, About Baghdad, and is Director of the Middle East Studies Pedagogy Initiative (MESPI). He received MESA's Jere L. Bacharach Service Award in 2017 for his service to the profession. @4bassam

ARTICLES BY Theory Buzz Podcast