(PEP1) Committing Sociology for the Common Good: Bridging the gap between academia and public engagement
What is the relevance of sociology and sociologist for today’s world? How do sociologists engage with the public to address contemporary social problems? Participants in this panel will engage with those questions while providing examples that illustrate how sociology and public sociology can inform public debate, community activism and grassroots movements.
Presentations will highlight how collaboration between sociologists and community organizations can incentivize positive social change. They will also discuss about the use of methodological tools to facilitate public engagement and the ethical implications of researching and collaborating with non-academic publics and vulnerable populations. By discussing the work of sociologists engaged with the public, this panel seeks ultimately to stress the fundamental role that the discipline of sociology can play in addressing today’s most pressing social challenges.