Sociology at Work

Applied Sociology Career Spotlight: Graduate Programs versus Small Business

An Asian woman wearing glasses speaks with a man wearing a hat, who is turned towards her

Here are some of the benefits of joining Graduate Training Schemes versus beginning your career in small to medium-sized enterprises.

Sociology of Law

Bronze sculpture of lady justice - a woman figure blindfolded holds scales

Sociology student and Fullbright Scholar, Jesse Fenichel, worked as a "temp attorney" over the summers before heading to the Philippines to study the ever-growing market for outsourcing American legal work overseas. The Philippines and India are two key nations where much of the outsourced work is happening. As part of his PhD dissertation, Fenichel will studyContinue reading "Sociology of Law"

Applied Sociology Career Spotlight: Politics

Students of diverse racial and religous backgrounds sit in a packed lecture theatre

Angelia Schultz has a Masters in sociology and she ran in the Democratic nomination for the USA state of Aberdeen in 2014. She stood on a platform promoting stronger provision of healthcare and education, drawing on sociology.

Applied Sociology Career Spotlight: Urban Planning

Aerial view of a building with green trees beneath

The Californian Department of Transportation in the USA has a cultural studies team who are unearthing the city's cultural heritage.

Our Responsibility as Sociologists

A woman holds up a sign with Donald Trump's picture. It says: Elect a clown, expect a circus

The President of the International Sociological Association (ISA), Professor Margaret Abraham, has addressed the Executive Order by USA President Donald Trump. The Order suspends visas to people born in seven Muslim-majority nations: Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Libya and Somalia. Professor Abraham writes in the ISA newsletter: This ban is discriminatory, stigmatizing communities and people, and exacerbatingContinue reading "Our Responsibility as Sociologists"

The Power of Sociology

A Malaysian teacher wears a hijab and face mask, while looking over some papers, while two students look on. They are outdoors, with other classmates and teachers in the background

Malaysian sociologist Professor Abdul Rahman Embong says that after a turbulent transition from colonial rule, sociology is now receiving a "revived interest" from students. “[Students] can see the power and relevance of sound social theories and sociological perspectives together with strong methodologies to analyse social conditions and suggest change.” Quote via: International Sociological Association's Global Dialogue.

If Karl Marx Was Alive

As we commiserate with our American colleagues on Inauguration Day 2017, may this courageous lady's sign bring you some mirth and sociological comfort. "If Karl Marx was alive he would say, I told you so." Photo: Pete Birkinshaw.

Sociology More Nimble on its Feet

A young Asian woman fills in paperwork while speaking to a group of women

The quote below comes from a great book with lots of useful case studies of applied sociology in action. In Public Sociology: Research, Action, and Change, Philip Nyden, Leslie Hossfeld and Gwendolyn Nyden, argue: "In their active engagement with various publics, sociologists become more aware of emerging issues and responding to those issues in their research.Continue reading "Sociology More Nimble on its Feet"

Social Survey Invented by Sociology

A sign saying "ASK MORE QUESTIONS" in the centre of a white wall, beside two analogue clocks

Here's a fun read by E. W. Burgess, who was writing in 1916 about the importance of social surveys as a "constructive service by departments of sociology": "Indeed a case might well be made for the statement that the social survey was an invention of the sociologist. In every department of sociology in theContinue reading "Social Survey Invented by Sociology"

Applied Sociology Goals for 2017

Christmas baubles and tinsel surround a neon sign that reads: 2017

Dear colleagues: if you're celebrating the new year - do you have resolutions? Here are some ideas for enhancing our collective sociological practice! We're on our way with the first one... number six is a bit tricky to say the least. (We have our work cut out for us with the rise of ultra conservativeContinue reading "Applied Sociology Goals for 2017"