Lecture 'From Public Sociology to Sociological Publics'

As antiracism and anticolonial movements gain prominence globally, we invite Ali Meghji to discuss why we often believe that only professional sociologists can produce critical sociology.

Would it be better if sociologists listened to broader public voices? Our keynote speaker will explore how anticolonial and anti-racist social movements like Palestine Action, Black Lives Matter, Cops Are Flops and the Zapatistas are not only driving societal change but also produce sociological theories of power, race, neoliberalism and violence.

In doing so, Meghji highlight how the boundary between what Burawoy terms “professional” and “critical” sociology is much more porous than initially theorized and that critical sociology - from wider publics - can significantly shape professional sociology.