Waseda University Podcasts: Rigorous Research, Real Impact

Waseda University Podcasts: Rigorous Research, Real Impact
Podcast Description
On “Rigorous Research, Real Impact”, seven knowledgeable Waseda University researchers active in the fields of the social sciences and the humanities casually converse with the MC about their recent, rigorously conducted research, the positive impact it has on society, and their thoughts on working in Japan at Waseda in short 15 to 30 minute episodes.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast covers a variety of topics such as gender diversity in executive roles, skilled migration policies, central bank digital currencies, cultural influences in fantasy gaming, and the effects of populism on democracy. For example, one episode discusses why women are increasingly appointed as Chief Human Relations Officers in the US while remaining underrepresented in other executive settings, and another explores the social constructs around skill in migration.

On “Rigorous Research, Real Impact”, seven knowledgeable Waseda University researchers active in the fields of the social sciences and the humanities casually converse with the MC about their recent, rigorously conducted research, the positive impact it has on society, and their thoughts on working in Japan at Waseda in short 15 to 30 minute episodes.
In this final episode of the first installment of the series, Assistant Professor Robert Fahey (Waseda Institute for Advanced Study) serves as the guest and talks candidly with his Research Assistant Romeo Marcantuoni (Ph.D. Candidate, Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies) about their joint research project examining the rise of Japan’s Sanseito party, which was founded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their conversation explores the interplay between conspiracy beliefs, the increasingly complex information environment, populist movements, and the broader political system in Japan and beyond.
Link to their discussion paper ”From conspiracy theory movement to challenger party: The case of Japan’s Sanseito”: https://www.waseda.jp/inst/wias/assets/uploads/2025/01/dp2024001.pdf
Link to the transcript: https://www.waseda.jp/top/en/news/83437
About the Guests:
Guest Assistant Professor Robert A. Fahey:
Dr. Robert A. Fahey is an assistant professor of political science at the Waseda Institute for Advanced Study in Tokyo, Japan. His research interests include populism, polarisation, the effects of conspiracy theory belief, and Japanese politics. He is currently working on a series of large-scale surveys aimed at discovering what kinds of conspiracy beliefs are widespread in East Asian countries, and how those beliefs impact the political and social life of those nations.
MC Ph.D. Candidate Romeo Marcantuoni:
Romeo Marcantuoni is a Ph.D. candidate at the Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies at Waseda University. He earned his MA and BA in Japanese Studies at KU Leuven, Belgium. His research centers on Japan's progressive parties.

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