News
Maria do Mar Pereira's research on the status that scholarship from, and about, different countries has in global academic exchanges . The article focuses on a presentation that Maria do Mar gave on this research at a conference organised by the Society for Research into Higher Education, entitled "In Depth and In Between?: Conducting Ethnographic Research on Higher Education across International Borders". The title of Maria do Mar's article was "Not all “Internationals” are Created Equal: Negotiating Global Academic Hierarchies in International Ethnographies of Higher Education".
Professor Bhambra: recognition from Centre for Indian Studies in Africa
Professor Bhambra has been honoured with a Research Associate position from the Centre for Indian Studies in Africa at Wits University in South Africa in recognition of her collaborative work there
Thursday, June 23rd will bring one of the most important votes in the country's history - a referendum to decide whether the UK will remain in, or leave, the European Union. The decision will have significant effects on British society and economics, on British identity and on the lives of millions of people, Brits and non-Brits, within and beyond the UK.
Because it is such a momentous social and political occasion, it is important to think about the referendum sociologically. Indeed, as sociologists, we have an important role to play in this debate, because we can raise awareness of the sociological issues at stake in a decision about EU membership and the sociological factors shaping the current discourses and debate in the UK about that membership. Unfortunately, sociological thinking has often been absent from the debate, and as a result a very important issue is being discussed in simplistic, problematic and at times very dangerous and toxic ways.
Staff in the department have been following the debates closely and reflecting on the referendum sociologically, and we have decided to compile some of those reflections in one page. You can access them .
Book Launch of Genes and the Bioimaginary: Science, Spectacle, Culture By Deborah Lynn Steinberg
You are warmly invited to the launch of Deborah Lynn Steinberg's latest book, Genes and the Bioimaginary: Science, Spectacle, Culture (Ashgate/Routledge).
Professor Elizabeth Ettorre (Liverpool University) and Professor Stuart Murray (Carleton University, Canada) will be talking about the book and its significance. Deborah will also say a few words.
The launch is taking place on June 14th at 5.30 in Ramphal Builing, Room 1.04, University of 糖心TV.
Wine, soft drinks and refreshments will be served.

Photo competition update - *winners*
Thank you for all of the entries which we received to our photo competition 2016. We saw some excellent interpretations of the theme, and we look forward to using your photographs to promote our department.
We are very pleased to announce the winners of our competition ‘What Sociology means to me’ are as follows:
- 1st place: Morteza Hashemi Madani - 200 Amazon voucher
- 2nd place: Maria do Mar Pereira - £100 Amazon voucher
- 3rd place: Elena Mylona - £50 Amazon voucher
The judges were highly impressed with these creative, innovative and intelligent entries - a big congratulations goes to the above people! We will be printing their images and putting them up within the department.
Also, a big thank you goes to all those who have taken part in this year’s competition!
Best wishes
Andre Celtel (Director of Student Experience and Progression, Philosophy) and Kat Moore (Senior Marketing Assistant, Philosophy)
Thursday 19th May, 1:30pm - 5:30pm
Wolfson Research Exchange, The Library, University of 糖心TV
Issues of pollution are often raised within debates about global environmental governance, but primarily in relation to smog and climate change, rather than global health.
This informal roundtable discussion invites panellists from different fields to discuss the important theme of pollution, health, and global environmental governance. Refreshments available throughout the event and wine and nibbles afterwards.
Social Justice Research Cluster Graduate Seminar Series
Social Justice Research Cluster Graduate Seminar Series
Inequality and Social Justice In Education: Issues of Class, Race, Gender and Sexuality.
Social Justice Research Cluster, Department of Sociology, University of 糖心TV.
PG students from all universities welcome. May 2016.
Event Outline
In an epoch constrained by labour market opportunities for young people and high levels of precarious employment and unemployment, the acquisition of educational qualifications gains increasing significance within an increasingly globalized and highly skilled economy that young people now find themselves competing in. Young people today are barraged with the pervasive public discourse that asserts success in work and life more generally with high levels of formal education. Politically, educational success and failure is increasingly framed in terms of individual agency, the winners and losers within education system are merely those who have worked hard and those who have not. However, academic research has long provided evidence illustrating that different individuals and groups have different educational experiences and outcomes with much research seeking to address the question of why this is. The seminar series will explore research-addressing issues of social justice and inequality within primary, secondary and higher education both in terms of a UK context and overseas. There will be a meticulous focus on issues relation to social class, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion and disability.
Event details and speakers can be found here.
Visit the event Facebook page for updates:
Call for Papers: BSA Regional Postgraduate Event
BSA Regional Postgraduate Event: ‘Close to home: moral dilemmas, ethical practice and complexities of reflexivity in ethnographic research.’
Friday 3 June 2016, London School of Economics
Confirmed speakers: Claire Alexander (University of Manchester), Michaela Benson (Goldsmiths), Karen Lumsden (Loughborough University), Lisa Mckenzie (LSE), Laurie Taylor (BBC Radio 4).
Ethnography as a methodological tool is founded in a long tradition of social science research and over the past decade ethnography has moved once again to forefront of sociological concern. Considered one of the few research methods able to escape the shackles of the academy in full form, in recent months ethnographic accounts have both topped the best sellers lists internationally alongside attracting much academic and lay commentary and critique (Goffman, 2015; Martin, 2015; Mckenzie, 2015). Central to such debates is the concern and question regarding who is permitted to conduct ethnographic research citing the occupational hazard ethnographers risk in eroticising or misrepresenting their research subjects and sites. Appreciating the diverse forms that ethnographic research can take, this event explores the role of the researcher in ethnographic research, reflecting on the challenges the researcher faces in the collection and presentation of data. The event opens with the question of how the researcher can facilitate critical thought and provide valuable contribution to the discipline, whilst avoiding inaccuracies or enacting symbolic violence, however unintentional. Critically reflecting on the concept of reflexivity, the event looks to investigate power dynamics alongside the emotional experience of the research field.
Amy Hinterberger Awarded Wellcome Trust Seed Award in Humanities & Social Science
has been awarded a for her project, Blood and tissue samples as ‘human subjects’. The Award is for £39,897. The project will run from October 2016 – July 2017. The research will investigate transformations in the definition of the human research subject in biomedicine across the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States.
New monograph from Dr Mark Carrigan Social Media for Academics
The Department of Sociology is proud to announce the publication of Dr Mark Carrigan’s new monongraph. Social media is an increasingly important part of academic life that can be a fantastic medium for promoting your work, networking with colleagues and for demonstrating impact. However, alongside the opportunities it also poses challenging questions about how to engage online, and how to represent yourself professionally.
This practical book provides clear guidance on effectively and intelligently using social media for academic purposes across disciplines, from publicising your work and building networks to engaging the public with your research. It is supported by real life examples and underpinned by principles of good practice to ensure you have the skills to make the most of this exciting medium.