Description
Book SynopsisSociologists' Tales brings together the thoughts and experiences of key UK sociologists from different generations of British sociology in reflecting on why they have chosen a career in sociology, how they have managed to do it and what advice they would offer the next generation.
Trade Review"Sociology is not just a career or a discipline but a vocation and way of thinking, and Sociologists' Tales conveys this movingly at a time of increasing university neoliberalism." British Journal of Sociology
“A fascinating and wide ranging collection, the book weaves a rich tapestry of narratives which together tell the story of a very British sociological imagination.” Claire Alexander, Professor of Sociology, University of Manchester
“Immensely beneficial for students studying sociology at A-level and for teachers attempting to enthuse their students to maintain a passion for the discipline.” Jayne Kumi, Head of Social Science, Norbury Manor Business and Enterprise College, UK
??“These excellent reflections on sociologists’ lives tell an often inspiring, sometimes sobering tale. A must read for novices and seasoned scholars alike.” Kathy Charmaz, Sonoma State University, USA?
“A remarkable book joining together the guilty pleasure of the higher gossip with genuinely powerful self-reflection--bluntly, hard to put down.” John Hall, Professor of Comparative Historical Sociology, McGill University, Canada
“Thirty-three British sociologists reflect on what they consider the purpose of their discipline, how they became personally involved in that discipline, and what advice they would give to students contemplating a career in the field.” Y. R. Magrass, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
"The authors are brilliant writers able to captivate the reader." - Sosiologia-Journal
“A richly textured collection of reflections that provides a useful reminder of the potential for sociologists to contribute to a better understanding of our societies in these troubled times.” Professor John Solomos, Department of Sociology, University of Warwick
"What a delicious, down-to-earth collection of essays, offering exciting adventures in, through and beyond sociology. They show how, deep-down, everyone is a sociologist but what a privilege it is to do sociology for a living." Michael Burawoy, University of California, Berkeley
“A valuable collection for anyone interested in sociology – as a subject to study at school or university, as a field of research, or as a way of life.” John David Horne, Professor of Sport and Sociology, University of Central Lancashire
"While focusing on British sociology – and sociologists – this inspiring book takes stock of international debate on the discipline and its future. A brilliant celebration of sociology. Highly recommended." Carmen Leccardi, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy
Table of ContentsForeword ~ Judith Mudd; Introduction ~ Mark Doidge, Katherine Twamley and Andrea Scott; Part 1 What can sociology do?; The sociologist as voyeur ~ Liza Schuster; Why sociology? Mark Featherstone; Sociology as a science/technology of freedom ~ Zygmunt Bauman; Why sociology matters ~ Anthony Giddens; Passion, curiosity and integrity ~ Beverley Skeggs; Sociology as democratic knowledge ~ John Holmwood; Pushing at the boundaries of the discipline: politics, personal life and the psychosocial ~ Sasha Roseneil in conversation with Katherine Twamley; Growing up as a sociologist in rural Shropshire ~ John D Brewer; On the right-of-way ~ Judith Burnett; Living sociology ~ Les Back in conversation with Katherine Twamley; Part 2 What does it mean to be a sociologist?; Sociology for some, someone’s sociology ~ Yvette Taylor; Imagining social science ~ Ann Oakley; From accidental to ambitious sociology ~ Linsey McGoey; Sociographer by design? Boundary crossings and interdisciplinarity ~ Yvonne Robinson; I am a sociologist, but what exactly is a sociologist and how do you become one? ~ Claire Maxwell; Sociology: from committing to being? ~ Paul Hodkinson; Drift, opportunity, and commitment: the shaping of a professional career ~ John Scott; A passion for empirical sociology ~ Eileen Green; Me, myself and sociology ~ Gayle Letherby; Turning to the psychosocial: drawing on sociology to address societal issues ~ Ann Phoenix; Part 3 How does one become a sociologist?; A long haul ~ Berry Mayall; Putting sociology to work in the NHS ~ Jocelyn Cornwell in conversation with Mark Doidge; Clinging to the precipice: travails of a contract researcher in sociology ~ Mel Bartley; The pursuit of a sociological career overseas and the navigation of an outsider perspective ~ Lara Killick; Tales from the field: applied policy research and the sociological imagination ~ Carol McNaughton Nicholls; What sociology means to me: exploring, imagining and challenging ~ Kate Woodthorpe; Social science which engages with the real world ~ Anthony Heath in conversation with Andrea Scott; A sporting chance? Notes on an ongoing career in the sociology of sport ~ Richard Giulianotti; Sociology: involvement and detachment ~ Robert Mears; A career spent orbiting sociology ~ Eric Harrison; Researching children’s lives: on becoming and being a sociologist in education ~ Daniela Sime; Following my star ~ Jeffrey Weeks in conversation with Andrea Scott; ‘The epoch of belief … the epoch of incredulity’ ~ Howard Wollman.
