From: Tom Vickers
Sent: 13 August 2013 12:37
To: Tom Vickers
Subject: Activism in Sociology - a new forum supported by the BSA

Dear colleagues,

 

I am helping to set up a new forum that aims to build a network between people who combine sociology with activism, and to support those who don't but would like to. A central aim is to increase the contribution of sociology and sociologists to challenging injustice and inequality by connecting what people are already doing, building solidarity and mutual support. We feel this is urgently needed in a context of the neoliberal offensive that is increasing inequalities, deepening the poverty and oppression of some of the poorest sections of the working classes, and at the same time marketising higher education and restricting the space for radical critique within universities.

 

This will be an official forum of the British Sociological Association, but participation is not restricted to BSA members and we welcome people from disciplines other than sociology. For the initial period the forum's convenors will be Lisa McKenzie from the University of Nottingham, Sarah Burton from Goldsmiths, and myself; we welcome others to get involved in the running of the forum.

 

We are organising a meeting to establish the forum and devise a charter and an initial plan of action, which is likely to be on either Saturday 2 or 9 November in central London, full details and a call for papers should be sent out within the next couple of weeks. The event will include non-academic speakers and welcome participants from all backgrounds, and will have sessions dedicated to our involvement with the media, engaging publics (including discussion of how we can put sociological tools in the hands of oppressed people engaged in struggle) and the potential for inter-disciplinary work to contribute to our aims.

 

We will be setting up a jiscmail list very shortly, please let me know if you would like your email address to be added.

 

If you know colleagues who you think may be interested please pass this on.

 

Best wishes,

 

Tom