The Almanac Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/almanac From climate change to gender inequality, from democracy to wars, the Almanac explores big world challenges through honest conversations with researchers from the humanities and social sciences. We translate complex research into something clear, engaging, and relevant, so you can understand the past, question the present, and think more critically about the future. Produced by Natália da Silva Perez and Pieter van den Heede ©Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication 822cc163-4579-595d-a986-8a236f8af106 yes en Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:58:17 +0100 Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:59:08 +0100 https://img.transistorcdn.com/2CqY-Y9oUASCslQB_SeOB7U-yZ1ax2ekWsm3zijW6Bo/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8zOGUz/ZjMyMGE3YzcyNDQw/YTMwNzhhMjAwMTdh/MTMyNC5wbmc.jpg The Almanac episodic Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication From climate change to gender inequality, from democracy to wars, the Almanac explores big world challenges through honest conversations with researchers from the humanities and social sciences. We translate complex research into something clear, engaging, and relevant, so you can understand the past, question the present, and think more critically about the future. Produced by Natália da Silva Perez and Pieter van den Heede From climate change to gender inequality, from democracy to wars, the Almanac explores big world challenges through honest conversations with researchers from the humanities and social sciences. history, past, present, Erasmus University Rotterdam Natália da Silva Perez dasilvaperez@eshcc.eur.nl No No The Governance of the Syrian Refugees in Lebanon 3 3 4 4 The Governance of the Syrian Refugees in Lebanon full 2529761b-0f47-48f2-965b-b8c6de0d28b8 https://almanac.transistor.fm/s3/4 In this episode, Rima Rassi discusses how Lebanon's political structure, shaped by sectarian differences and the memory of the Civil War, influenced the country's response, or lack thereof, in addressing Syrian refugee influx. Join us as she delves into the "policy of no policy," investigates the classification of refugee status, and looks at how Lebanon's parliament impacted national reaction. 

]]> In this episode, Rima Rassi discusses how Lebanon's political structure, shaped by sectarian differences and the memory of the Civil War, influenced the country's response, or lack thereof, in addressing Syrian refugee influx. Join us as she delves into the "policy of no policy," investigates the classification of refugee status, and looks at how Lebanon's parliament impacted national reaction. 

]]> Wed, 25 Jun 2025 13:52:35 +0200 Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication 2340 In this episode, Rima Rassi discusses how Lebanon's political structure, shaped by sectarian differences and the memory of the Civil War, influenced the country's response, or lack thereof, in addressing Syrian refugee influx. Join us as she delves into the "policy of no policy," investigates the classification of refugee status, and looks at how Lebanon's parliament impacted national reaction. 

]]> history, past, present, Erasmus University Rotterdam No Isabella Restrepo Vargas Natália da Silva Perez Pieter van den Heede Is the Behaviour in Online Gaming Trangressive Play or Playful Transgression? 3 3 3 3 Is the Behaviour in Online Gaming Trangressive Play or Playful Transgression? full d8f1e379-c40b-4b95-a135-b0f1459fecfb https://almanac.transistor.fm/s3/3 In this episode, Vivian Chen discusses whether gaming is truly toxic or if the conversation around toxicity is oversimplified. Tune in for a critical look at the complexities of online play as she dives into the social dynamics of gaming and how context, gender, and friendships shape interactions and the surprising ways these behaviors spill over into workplaces.
 

]]> In this episode, Vivian Chen discusses whether gaming is truly toxic or if the conversation around toxicity is oversimplified. Tune in for a critical look at the complexities of online play as she dives into the social dynamics of gaming and how context, gender, and friendships shape interactions and the surprising ways these behaviors spill over into workplaces.
 

]]> Wed, 25 Jun 2025 13:52:00 +0200 Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication 1421 In this episode, Vivian Chen discusses whether gaming is truly toxic or if the conversation around toxicity is oversimplified. Tune in for a critical look at the complexities of online play as she dives into the social dynamics of gaming and how context, gender, and friendships shape interactions and the surprising ways these behaviors spill over into workplaces.
 

]]> history, past, present, Erasmus University Rotterdam No Isabella Restrepo Vargas Natália da Silva Perez Pieter van den Heede The Political, Cultural and Economic Influence of Fandoms 3 3 2 2 The Political, Cultural and Economic Influence of Fandoms full 42d5afad-3771-48d2-bb58-b1024ecd2d70 https://almanac.transistor.fm/s3/2 In this episode, Simone Driessen explores how fandoms, once celebrated for their creativity and engagement, have grown to shape cultural narratives, influence power structures, and even fuel polarization. Join us as she unpacks how fandoms engage with extremism, cancel culture, and how subtle cues become markers of allegiance.
 
 

]]> In this episode, Simone Driessen explores how fandoms, once celebrated for their creativity and engagement, have grown to shape cultural narratives, influence power structures, and even fuel polarization. Join us as she unpacks how fandoms engage with extremism, cancel culture, and how subtle cues become markers of allegiance.
 
 

]]> Wed, 25 Jun 2025 13:51:21 +0200 Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication 1634 In this episode, Simone Driessen explores how fandoms, once celebrated for their creativity and engagement, have grown to shape cultural narratives, influence power structures, and even fuel polarization. Join us as she unpacks how fandoms engage with extremism, cancel culture, and how subtle cues become markers of allegiance.
 
 

]]> history, past, present, Erasmus University Rotterdam No Isabella Restrepo Vargas Natália da Silva Perez Pieter van den Heede Decolonial Approaches in Latin American, Caribbean, and European Museums 3 3 1 1 Decolonial Approaches in Latin American, Caribbean, and European Museums full 72ba529a-c2de-49a5-8ff7-bf80474b3327 https://almanac.transistor.fm/s3/1 In this episode, Camila Andrea and Naomi Oosterman explore the complications of decolonial techniques in Latin American, Caribbean, and European museums. Tune in to look at how decolonization involves more than just restitution of stolen goods and the Silence and Discomfort strategy, which aims to promote difficult conversations regarding colonialism, community involvement, and cultural narratives.

]]> In this episode, Camila Andrea and Naomi Oosterman explore the complications of decolonial techniques in Latin American, Caribbean, and European museums. Tune in to look at how decolonization involves more than just restitution of stolen goods and the Silence and Discomfort strategy, which aims to promote difficult conversations regarding colonialism, community involvement, and cultural narratives.

]]> Wed, 25 Jun 2025 13:50:31 +0200 Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication 1782 In this episode, Camila Andrea and Naomi Oosterman explore the complications of decolonial techniques in Latin American, Caribbean, and European museums. Tune in to look at how decolonization involves more than just restitution of stolen goods and the Silence and Discomfort strategy, which aims to promote difficult conversations regarding colonialism, community involvement, and cultural narratives.

]]> history, past, present, Erasmus University Rotterdam No Isabella Restrepo Vargas Natália da Silva Perez Pieter van den Heede The Development of the Dutch Gaming Industry 2 2 1 1 The Development of the Dutch Gaming Industry full dfc318fd-1a47-4bb4-9a98-d8905facca29 https://almanac.transistor.fm/s2/1 In episode 1, Anne Heslinga joins us to discuss the gaming industry in the Netherlands, from its beginnings to the present. We explore issues faced by game developers and the future prospects for the industry.

Find more about Anne Hesliga's work here.

]]> In episode 1, Anne Heslinga joins us to discuss the gaming industry in the Netherlands, from its beginnings to the present. We explore issues faced by game developers and the future prospects for the industry.

Find more about Anne Hesliga's work here.

]]> Thu, 27 Jun 2024 23:24:15 +0200 Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication 1200 In episode 1, Anne Heslinga joins us to discuss the gaming industry in the Netherlands, from its beginnings to the present. We explore issues faced by game developers and the future prospects for the industry.

Find more about Anne Hesliga's work here.

]]> history, past, present, Erasmus University Rotterdam No Isabella Restrepo Vargas Natália da Silva Perez Pieter van den Heede Rotterdam and Slavery 2 2 3 3 Rotterdam and Slavery full 5d16908a-38eb-4c3d-96ed-e7fb5b0835c9 https://almanac.transistor.fm/s2/3 In the next episode, we sit down with Alex van Stipriaan, emeritus professor and specialist in Afro-Caribbean history, to talk about Rotterdam's past with slavery, which has been neglected within history.

To find publications, media products and more, visit Alex van Stipriaan's website

]]> In the next episode, we sit down with Alex van Stipriaan, emeritus professor and specialist in Afro-Caribbean history, to talk about Rotterdam's past with slavery, which has been neglected within history.

To find publications, media products and more, visit Alex van Stipriaan's website

]]> Thu, 27 Jun 2024 23:03:25 +0200 Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication 1757 In the next episode, we sit down with Alex van Stipriaan, emeritus professor and specialist in Afro-Caribbean history, to talk about Rotterdam's past with slavery, which has been neglected within history.

To find publications, media products and more, visit Alex van Stipriaan's website

]]> history, past, present, Erasmus University Rotterdam No Isabella Restrepo Vargas Natália da Silva Perez Pieter van den Heede How is History Represented in Textbooks? 2 2 2 2 How is History Represented in Textbooks? full b937ff7c-7fc5-4273-82a4-1fe20eddf95b https://almanac.transistor.fm/s2/2 In the second episode, we interview Dr. Tina van der Vlies and discuss whether historical narratives in history textbooks are really neutral. Join us for this episode for a thought-provoking discussion that challenges what you know about the past and its implications for the future.

You can find more about Dr Tina van der Vlies' work here.

]]> In the second episode, we interview Dr. Tina van der Vlies and discuss whether historical narratives in history textbooks are really neutral. Join us for this episode for a thought-provoking discussion that challenges what you know about the past and its implications for the future.

You can find more about Dr Tina van der Vlies' work here.

]]> Thu, 27 Jun 2024 18:45:13 +0200 Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication 2052 In the second episode, we interview Dr. Tina van der Vlies and discuss whether historical narratives in history textbooks are really neutral. Join us for this episode for a thought-provoking discussion that challenges what you know about the past and its implications for the future.

You can find more about Dr Tina van der Vlies' work here.

]]> history, past, present, Erasmus University Rotterdam No Isabella Restrepo Vargas Natália da Silva Perez The Racialization of British Women during the Long Nineteenth Century 2 2 4 4 The Racialization of British Women during the Long Nineteenth Century full 51fe4941-0289-4c91-8196-37790159d841 https://almanac.transistor.fm/s2/4 In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Toni Weller, a research fellow in history at De Montfort University, who explains how complicated it was to be a woman during a time when sexually transmitted illnesses and wars reduced female bodies to the status of information items.


Find more of Dr Toni Weller's work here

]]> In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Toni Weller, a research fellow in history at De Montfort University, who explains how complicated it was to be a woman during a time when sexually transmitted illnesses and wars reduced female bodies to the status of information items.


Find more of Dr Toni Weller's work here

]]> Wed, 05 Jun 2024 21:49:58 +0200 Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication 2065 In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Toni Weller, a research fellow in history at De Montfort University, who explains how complicated it was to be a woman during a time when sexually transmitted illnesses and wars reduced female bodies to the status of information items.


Find more of Dr Toni Weller's work here

]]> history, past, present, Erasmus University Rotterdam No Isabella Restrepo Vargas Natália da Silva Perez Pieter van den Heede Europe's Migration Crisis on Twitter 1 1 3 3 Europe's Migration Crisis on Twitter full 3fe0599e-66d6-4ec0-8015-11be405de051 https://almanac.transistor.fm/s1/3 In episode 3, Maria Avraamidou discusses how Europe's migration crisis in 2015 was debated on Twitter.

Check out her article in the European Journal of Cultural Studies.

]]> In episode 3, Maria Avraamidou discusses how Europe's migration crisis in 2015 was debated on Twitter.

Check out her article in the European Journal of Cultural Studies.

]]> Wed, 08 Nov 2023 09:00:00 +0100 Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication 1278 In episode 3, Maria Avraamidou discusses how Europe's migration crisis in 2015 was debated on Twitter.

Check out her article in the European Journal of Cultural Studies.

]]> history, past, present, Erasmus University Rotterdam No Natália da Silva Perez Pieter van den Heede Isabella Restrepo Vargas How Can We Productively Engage with Historical Analogies? 1 1 4 4 How Can We Productively Engage with Historical Analogies? full 738c6c66-1ed7-4787-8ef6-5e60fee008a2 https://almanac.transistor.fm/s1/4 In episode 4, Pieter van den Heede discusses how we can productively engage with historical analogies. He does so by introducing the 'Magic Yarn Ball' as a metaphorical intervention.

Check out his article (co-written with Sara Polak) in Journal of Applied History.

]]> In episode 4, Pieter van den Heede discusses how we can productively engage with historical analogies. He does so by introducing the 'Magic Yarn Ball' as a metaphorical intervention.

Check out his article (co-written with Sara Polak) in Journal of Applied History.

]]> Wed, 08 Nov 2023 09:00:00 +0100 Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication 1821 In episode 4, Pieter van den Heede discusses how we can productively engage with historical analogies. He does so by introducing the 'Magic Yarn Ball' as a metaphorical intervention.

Check out his article (co-written with Sara Polak) in Journal of Applied History.

]]> history, past, present, Erasmus University Rotterdam No Natália da Silva Perez Pieter van den Heede Isabella Restrepo Vargas The Migration History of Rotterdam 1 1 2 2 The Migration History of Rotterdam full 61458196-a397-453d-9298-90f7b4611a4e https://almanac.transistor.fm/s1/2 In episode 2, Paul van de Laar discusses the migration history of Rotterdam from the 1600s to the present.

Check out the book De Echte Rotterdammer komt van buiten - Rotterdam migratiestad 1600-2022 by  Peter Scholten and Paul van de Laar.

]]> In episode 2, Paul van de Laar discusses the migration history of Rotterdam from the 1600s to the present.

Check out the book De Echte Rotterdammer komt van buiten - Rotterdam migratiestad 1600-2022 by  Peter Scholten and Paul van de Laar.

]]> Wed, 08 Nov 2023 09:00:00 +0100 Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication 1402 In episode 2, Paul van de Laar discusses the migration history of Rotterdam from the 1600s to the present.

Check out the book De Echte Rotterdammer komt van buiten - Rotterdam migratiestad 1600-2022 by  Peter Scholten and Paul van de Laar.

]]> history, past, present, Erasmus University Rotterdam No Natália da Silva Perez Pieter van den Heede Isabella Restrepo Vargas The History of Rotterdam's Entertainment Culture 1 1 1 1 The History of Rotterdam's Entertainment Culture full 60a2ed98-2c99-4e43-b7e9-8fe27803ecbe https://almanac.transistor.fm/s1/1 In episode 1, we are joined by Vincent Baptist! Vincent will discuss the history of Rotterdam's entertainment culture and the history of the Zandstraat-neighbourhood.

Check out Vincent's article:
Nostalgia for Urban Vices: Cultural Reminiscences of a Demolished Port City Pleasure Neighborhood

]]> In episode 1, we are joined by Vincent Baptist! Vincent will discuss the history of Rotterdam's entertainment culture and the history of the Zandstraat-neighbourhood.

Check out Vincent's article:
Nostalgia for Urban Vices: Cultural Reminiscences of a Demolished Port City Pleasure Neighborhood

]]> Wed, 08 Nov 2023 09:00:00 +0100 Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication 1635 In episode 1, we are joined by Vincent Baptist! Vincent will discuss the history of Rotterdam's entertainment culture and the history of the Zandstraat-neighbourhood.

Check out Vincent's article:
Nostalgia for Urban Vices: Cultural Reminiscences of a Demolished Port City Pleasure Neighborhood

]]> history, past, present, Erasmus University Rotterdam No Natália da Silva Perez Pieter van den Heede Isabella Restrepo Vargas