Data are necessary for robust social science but very expensive to collect. Current regulations limit the ability for public servants and researchers sharing their data with the public. What does the open data movement mean for applied sociologists? Here’s two brief case studies on what’s happening in the European Union and in the USA. Open Data inContinueContinue reading “Open Data, Open Access and What They Mean for Applied Sociology”
Category Archives: Practitioners
Using Sociology to Support Domestic Violence Victims
We explore the experience delivering care in domestic violence shelters, and how this differs from the academic theories of domestic violence survivors.
Work-Life-Balance Optional
Large infographic showing icons of a plate with forks, a palm tree, hearts, clock, house and chats. It says 98% of people send work-related emails nights and weekends, 44$ of people feel well-prepared at work, and 77% of people say personal values influence their decisions
New Anti-racism Strategy in Australia
Australia will implement an anti-racism strategy from July 2012. In this post I sketch out some ideas as to how applied sociology might contribute to this process. The 2011 Mapping Social Cohesion Report shows that 14% of all Australians have experienced racial or religious discrimination. Race Discrimination Commissioner Dr Helen Szoke (right) noted to SBS Newsthat government and other areasContinueContinue reading “New Anti-racism Strategy in Australia”
Sociology As Applied Science
A comic shows a sociologist at one end of a continuum and a mathematician at the other end, poking fun at the ‘impurity’ of our practice. But there is another way to read the utility of applied sociology.
Supporting Women’s Well-Being, Education and Civic Engagement Improves Societies
A new infographic shows the importance of improving women’s socioeconomic outcomes, to prevent maternal deaths, reducing child marriages, and increase national gross domestic product.
United Nations Microfinance Scheme for Refugees Living in Camps
Many refugees are displaced from their homes for years. They might live in refugee camps for decades. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its partners support microfinancing efforts. Through small loans, refugees are empowered to maintain businesses and trading efforts, thus building up their long-term security. The UNHCR writes: The difficultyContinueContinue reading “United Nations Microfinance Scheme for Refugees Living in Camps”
Get Informed and Get Involved in the United Nations Say No to Gender Violence Campaign
The United Nations has launched its latest campaign, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. This year also marks the 15 year anniversary of the United Nations Trust Fund to End violence. The United Nations reports that up to 70% of women and girls will be beaten, coerced into sex or abused in their lifetime. OtherContinueContinue reading “Get Informed and Get Involved in the United Nations Say No to Gender Violence Campaign”
How to Read and Respond to Media Reports on Social Science
Andrew Gottlieb of The Psychology Lounge recently posted a useful article about the way the media misrepresents social science research. Although Gottlieb is a clinical psychologist, his analysis has relevance for applied sociology. I include his tips on how to identify the typical ways journalists misuse scientific data. I then discuss some of my ownContinueContinue reading “How to Read and Respond to Media Reports on Social Science”
United Nations Day, 2011
Hope you had/have a Happy UN Day, wherever you are in the world! This year, the UN commemorates the fact that the global population will reach 7 billion people by the 31st of October. Earlier in the day, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon released this message: “Let us unite, seven billion strong, in the name of theContinueContinue reading “United Nations Day, 2011”
Sociology at Work 