Author Archives: Sociology at Work

Tribute to Emeritus Professor John Western

Emeritus Professor John Western passed away on 5 January 2011. Professor Western made a significant contribution to Australian sociology, particularly in the areas of youth experiences of the criminal justice system, social inequality, and the study of professionals. He was also President of The Australian Sociological Association (TASA) in 1988-1989 and he received the inauguralContinueContinue reading “Tribute to Emeritus Professor John Western”

Students for Humanity

Students for Humanity is a great website creating a space where students from privileged and under privileged backgrounds can interact. The project was created by Frerieke van Bree, an architect and teacher originally from Netherlands, and her colleagues who provided online mentoring for a group students from Khayelitsha, in South Africa. While there seem toContinueContinue reading “Students for Humanity”

Methods Resources and Support

The UK-run site, Methods@manchester, was launched in September. It offers various resources for social scientists looking for innovative ways to carry out research. This includes visual/sound, mixed methods, surveys, experimental methods, ‘e-science’ or information and communication and technology data management, collaborative approaches, ethnography, quality assessments and interviewing techniques. You can also ask questions of otherContinueContinue reading “Methods Resources and Support”

World Humanitarian Day

The 19th of August is World Humanitarian Day, a project coordinated by the United Nations to celebrate and recognise the vital and difficult work of humanitarian workers everywhere. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojQOyo6lrMQ World Humanitarian Day commemorates the events of the 19th of August 2003, when 22 people were killed after the United Nations office in Iraq was bombedContinueContinue reading “World Humanitarian Day”

Accounting for Sociology in a World of Auditors, UK

Michael Hughes is the Director of Studies and Knowledge for the Audit Commission, UK, reviewing reports on local government services. He tells us why we should ‘never underestimate the value of a sociology degree in providing a foundation of skills and concepts for understanding other disciplines and their models’. Michael Hughes michael-hughes@audit-commission.gov.uk I am DirectorContinueContinue reading “Accounting for Sociology in a World of Auditors, UK”

Knowing That My Work Makes a Real Difference: The Career of One Applied Quantitative Sociologist, UK

  Tony Alderton reflects on his career in civil service and his current role as a researcher for Early Years and Childcare with the Kent County Council in the UK. Dr Tony Alderton Tony.Alderton@kent.gov.uk I am employed… As the Researcher for Early Years and Childcare with Kent County Council in the UK. The Council deliversContinueContinue reading “Knowing That My Work Makes a Real Difference: The Career of One Applied Quantitative Sociologist, UK”

An Organisational Perspective: Applying Sociology to the Health Sector in Melbourne, Australia

Christine Walker answers some questions about her work as Chief Executive Officer for Chronic Illness Alliance in Melbourne, Australia, which connects not-for-profit groups with government and academics in order to advocate for better healthcare for people with chronic illnesses. Dr Christine Walker christine@chronicillness.org.au Tell us about your organisation.  Chronic Illness Alliance (CIA) is a peakContinueContinue reading “An Organisational Perspective: Applying Sociology to the Health Sector in Melbourne, Australia”