3456 - Scholarly Activism in and for Sociology

Session Submission Type: Invited Session

Description

This panel is inspired by recent public debates about the role of scholarly activism within sociological professions. At the core, these discussions center on whether diverse forms of activism and public engagement are an integral, perhaps even expected, part of the contributions of contemporary sociologists. For some activism is not a critical facet of scholarly careers and may even result in negative assessments of the profession by external audiences. For others, activism and public engagement are entirely congruent with the intellectual and political ethos of the disciple. The participants of this panel represent different viewpoints between these contrasting understandings. Guided by short position statements published shortly before the conference and questions from the audience, the participants’ conversations are meant to highlight ways in which sociology and its professional association can think about scholarly activism as an important and valuable element of academic careers and intellectual contributions. What are, for example, the institutional constraints on scholarly activism across the profession? Can activism echo the rigor and standards of sociological research? What is the role of scholarly activism in teaching and public communication? What, if anything, are the consequences of incorporating activism in the sociological profession?

Sub Unit

• Presidential Panel

Session Organizer

• Juan Pablo Pardo-Guerra, University of California, San Diego

Presider

• Juan Pablo Pardo-Guerra, University of California, San Diego

Panelists

• Daniel Laurison, Swarthmore College

• Philip N. Cohen, University of Maryland

• Margaret Weigers Vitullo, American Sociological Association

• Fabio Rojas, Indiana University