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All eight episodes of “Rigorous Research, Real Impact” Season 2 are out now!

Following the success of the first season of its English language podcast “Rigorous Research, Real Impact,” Waseda University launched Season 2 in autumn of 2025. The eight-episode season broadly showcases the diverse work of Waseda University social sciences and humanities researchers while also introducing the English-degree programs they teach in. Rigorous Research, Real Impact is available for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube.

About Season 2
Season 2 features eight Waseda researchers talking with PhD students about their impactful research in the humanities/social sciences, their experience working in Japan at Waseda, and the merits of the English-based degree programs they teach in. Short 15-minutes episodes cover a range of themes that include legendary game designer Hideo Kojima, territorial disputes in Northeast Asia, and hybrid peacebuilding.

It’s a great 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 Introductions

■Ep. 1: “Translanguaging and Identity: Research in the Japanese Context” (2025/09/23): 
Associate Professor Theron Muller (Faculty of Human Sciences)

Episode 1 explores how multilingual communication actually works in real life, i.e not as separate languages you switch between, but as interconnected tools that shape how we think, interact, and form identity. Associate Professor Theron Muller breaks down his sociolinguistic research in Japan and shows why understanding translanguaging matters for anyone curious about language and culture. Listeners also gain insights into academic life at Waseda! 

Why listen?
Because this episode demonstrates how you can turn something you use every day, language, into a means for understanding people and society. 

■Ep. 2: “Hideo Kojima and the Art of Game Design” (2025/10/7): 
Associate Professor Brian Hikari Hartzheim (Faculty of International Research and Education)

This episode is a must-listen if you’re curious about how video games do much more than entertain. They shape culture and tell complex stories, while also reflecting on society’s deepest questions. Associate Professor Bryan Hikari Hartzheim breaks down the creative philosophy behind legendary game designer Hideo Kojima, explaining how his work pushes the boundaries of interactive storytelling and influence. You’ll also get a feel for how game studies fit into broader academic and cultural conversations, plus insights into studying new media in an interdisciplinary university setting.

Why listen?
Because it takes the conversation about gaming and expands it by exploring the art and impact of design while showcasing how games can reflect and challenge the world we live in.

■Ep. 3: “Social Construction of Territorial Disputes in Northeast Asia” (2025/10/21):
Professor Alexander Bukh (Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies)

From Dokdo/Takeshima to the Northern Territories, Episode 3 unpacks the why behind some of the most sensitive and complex territorial issues in Northeast Asia by showing that these disputes aren’t just matters of history or politics but are shaped by social narratives and identity. Professor Alexander Bukh breaks down his award-winning research, explaining how national stories and non-state actors influence how countries and people think about their borders. He also shares his academic journey and what it’s like to research and teach international relations at Waseda.

Why listen?
Because if you’ve ever wondered how and why international disputes become emotionally charged,  this episode gives you a fresh look into the stories, identities, and social forces that power them.

■Ep. 4: “Market Makers: The Politics of Market Design” (2025/11/04):
Associate Professor Jack Seddon (Faculty of Political Science and Economics)

People often associate markets with supply and demand. But that is only part of the picture. This episode takes you behind the scenes of the global economy and shows you how markets become shaped by politics and power. Associate Professor Jack Seddon uses his research on the London Metal Exchange to reveal the hidden rules and struggles that determine how global markets function, and why they matter far beyond finance classrooms. He also shares his own journey from capital markets lawyer to researcher, and highlights why studying political economy matters today.

Why listen?
Because this insightful episode decodes how and why the world’s markets work the way they do for anyone who has wondered.

■Ep. 5: “Hybrid Peacebuilding: Local Voices in Conflict Resolution” (2025/11/18):
Associate Professor Megumi Kagawa (Faculty of Social Sciences)

In this episode, Associate Professor Megumi Kagawa takes you into the real-world challenges of building peace. Referencing her extensive experience with community-driven peace efforts in the Bangsamoro region of the Southern Philippines, she explains what hybrid peacebuilding means and why national agreements often fall short at the local level. She advocates for connecting with grassroots actors who shape the long road from conflict to lasting peace. The conversation also highlights Japan’s evolving role in peace efforts and what it’s like to engage in peace and social innovation through Waseda’s Transnational and Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Innovation (TAISI) program.

Why listen?
Because this episode unveils a different side of peace from an expert directly involved in its creation. You’ll learn that peace is not some abstract ideal, but is built through listening, adaptation, and collaboration with local communities. 

■Ep. 6: “Authors, Abnormality, and Identity in Modern Japan” (2025/12/2):
Associate Professor Pau Pitarch (Faculty of Letters, Arts and Sciences)

In Episode 6, Graduate School of Political Science PhD student Peter sits down with Associate Professor Pau Pitarch to explore a unique moment in Japanese cultural history. Nowadays, “abnormality” often comes with the implication of  shame. In contrast, Prof. Pitarch shares how early 20th-century writers and artists in Japan actually embraced “abnormality” as a creative identity that pushed the boundaries of literature and self-expression. He goes on to showcase how global movements in psychology, art, and modernity shaped this period and why it still matters for how we think about creativity and identity today. 

Why listen?
Because this episode turns history and literature into a lively, relatable conversation about how people define themselves and their art, making it a great choice for anyone interesting in learning more about creativity and the power of unconventional thinking.

■Ep. 7: “University vs. Corporate Startups: A Tale of Two Entrepreneurial Paths” (2025/12/16): 
Professor Alex Coad (Faculty of Commerce)

In this episode, Professor Alex Coad discusses what differentiates entrepreneurs coming out of universities from those born in the corporate world. He challenges the assumption that great academic research automatically leads to successful startups. Through his conversation with PhD student host Fabian, he highlights the cultural and identity shifts university-based entrepreneurs often have to make  and briefly shares his thoughts on a number of global entrepreneurial ecosystems (including Japan’s evolving landscape).

Why listen?
Because if you’re curious about what makes startups succeed or struggle, this episode gives you insights and practical perspectives from an expert.

■Ep. 8: “Institutionalized Socialization: How Companies Help Newcomers Belong” (2026/1/13):
Professor Yuhee Jung (Faculty of Social Sciences)

In the final episode of Season 2, Professor Yuhee Jung explores the question: How do new employees go from being outsiders to feeling truly part of an organization? Drawing on her research in organizational behavior and human resources, she shows how structured socialization, like training programs, mentoring, and ongoing support, helps builds trust, commitment, and long-term success in companies. The conversation also connects these insights to real workplace trends in Japan and Professor Jung’s own international career experience, thereby offering a fresh perspective on work culture and belonging, as well as career development.

Why listen?
Because this episode turns academic research into practical insight both workers and companies can make use of and relates it to evolving norms in today’s workplaces.