What is Public Sociology? And how do we do it?
A BSA Early Career Forum Event
25 November 2026 (1-2.30pm GMT)
Online
About the Event
Public sociology is a practice that brings sociological theory and methods into public debate, questioning implicit assumptions and opening up alternative ways of imagining our collective future. As far-right movements gain influence across Europe, public sociology is arguably needed now more than ever to help construct an egalitarian path beyond neoliberalism and challenge increasingly influential authoritarian and exclusionary alternatives.
To that end, the BSA’s Early Career Forum (ECF) is hosting a webinar on 25 November 2026, 1-2.30pm, with Professor Les Back and Dr Garrett L Grainger. Drawing on Michael Burawoy’s seminal work on public sociology, the webinar will introduce participants to the idea and practice of public sociology and consider its importance in the current political moment. It will also offer practical “tricks of the trade” that ECF members can use to build their public profile, communicate sociological ideas beyond academia, and contribute to public debate.
This webinar is the first in a three-part workshop series on public sociology running throughout the 2026–27 academic year.
Registration
The session is free for BSA members and £10 for non-members. We hope to see you there!