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New research at the University of Leicester is set to establish the purpose and continued need for sociology within universities. The unique ability of sociology to engage with its many publics on a range of important issues, such as identity community, re-distribution and democracy enable it to bridge the gap between universities and the wider society.
The third mission of sociology is set to be examined in a doctoral inaugural lecture at the University of Leicester, identifying the consultation, community outreach and business development potential of the social science.
Dr Richard Courtney, who studied in the Department of Sociology, College of Social Science, will give his doctoral inaugural lecture entitled ‘Public Sociology and the Third Mission’ on Wednesday 10 March. This lecture is free and open to the public and begins at 5.30pm in Lecture Theatre 3, Ken Edwards building.
During the lecture, Dr Courtney will explore the intellectual developments of eminent US sociologist Michael Burawoy who suggests that sociology must recapture its sociological imagination via reengagement with society.
The lecture will investigate the four inter-related roles sociology plays within a university; professional, critical, policy and public sociology, seeking to answer the following questions: What are the reasons for sociology to exist within the university? How does it justify continued public support in terms of finance and respect?
Dr Courtney commented:
“The doctoral inaugural series at the University of Leicester has provided me with an exciting opportunity to not only showcase the results of my doctoral study, but to also present my work as part of a wider dialogue between academic and public interests.
“I’m going to argue that Third Mission activities provide an institutional basis for sociology to re-engage with its public audience of communities, business, and individuals. I’ll be using examples of my own research on community development and ‘race’ relations in Essex to explore the potential opportunities for sociological knowledge to prosper outside the conventional academic and policy orientated audiences.”
The inaugural lecture will take place on Wednesday 10 March at 5.30pm, Lecture Theatre 3, Ken Edwards Building. For more information and to confirm your attendance, please click here http://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/gradschool/current/dils/doctoral-inaugural-lectures-2009-2010
Dr Richard Courtney conducted his PhD research in the Department of Sociology at the University of Leicester. His thesis, entitled, ‘This is England: Class, Culture, and Ethnicity across Non-Metropolitan Spaces’ explores the relationship between community, social class, whiteness, and English identity in the context of a multi-cultural Britain. His research interests are trans-disciplinary across Sociology, Geography and Politics. His substantive interests are social class, ethnicity and racism, gender and particularly masculinity and political and sociological theory. He is currently a Sociology Lecturer in the Division of Politics and Sociology at Nottingham Trent University.
