Waseda Launches Season 2 of Research Podcast

Following the success of the first season of its English language podcast “Rigorous Research, Real Impact,” Waseda University launched season two on September 23, 2025 (Tue). The eight-episode season continues to broadly showcase the diverse work of Waseda University social sciences and humanities researchers while also introducing the English-based degree programs they teach in. “Rigorous Research, Real Impact” is available for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube. 

 Season two will feature eight knowledgeable Waseda researchers casually conversing with Waseda PhD students about their recent, rigorously conducted research in the humanities/social sciences, their thoughts on working in Japan at Waseda, and the merits of the English-degree programs they are a part of. Short 15-minutes episodes will cover a range of themes that include legendary game designer Hideo Kojima, territorial disputes in Northeast Asia, and hybrid peacebuilding. It’s the perfect choice for international listeners considering attending university in Japan, current students contemplating further study in graduate school, and researchers looking to make the move to Japan and work for a university that stresses the importance of interdisciplinary approaches. 

Episode Release Schedule

One episode released every two weeks.

  *Please note the schedule is subject to change.

■Episode 1（Release date: 2025/09/23）：

Associate Professor Theron Muller (Faculty of Human Sciences)—

“Translanguaging and Identity: Research in the Japanese Context”

■Episode 2（Release date: 2025/10/7）：

Associate Professor Brian Hikari Hartzheim (Faculty of International Research and Education)—

“Hideo Kojima and the Art of Game Design”

■Episode 3（Release date: 2025/10/21）：

Professor Alexander Bukh (Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies)—

“Social Constructed Borders: Territorial Disputes in Northeast Asia”