2023 Theme Statement:
In 2023, we find our conference located in what was–for many Americans–the start of an awakening of a new consciousness of the enduring and evolving legacies of structural inequality in the United States. The murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and the events that followed, (re)opened critical conversations that sociologists have been leading for decades. These conversations, and their implications, have not taken place solely in the classroom–we have seen these critical conversations about structural violence applied to community organizing, policy change, program evaluation, organizational leadership, and other levels. With the rise in social media and other platforms for knowledge sharing from community leaders, advocates and activists, members of the academy have been exposed to a diverse set of critical thinkers and doers, who offer key insights about and solutions to many of the core sociological questions. More often than not, however, these parallel conversations–community and academic–do not join together to co-create solutions. This conference, held in a city still recovering from the deaths of Daunte Wright, George Floyd, and countless unknown others, offers an opportunity for MSS members to discuss the future of community-engaged/partnered learning and research and the ways in which we use our roles as sociologists to support epistemic justice. Learn more about epistemic justice at https://epistemicjusticeiarslce2018.wordpress.com/a-brief-guide-to-epistemic-injustice-justice/ .
In discussion with MSS members and the program committee, some ideas for sessions have arisen, including: CBPR research, engaging community members as lecturers in classes, communicating research/evaluation data to community audiences, first-generation scholars doing research in similar communities, careers outside of academia, faculty advising to students interested in non-academic careers, and equitable practices in activism/advocacy. The submission portal will open in early September, with more information sent via email and on the website in advance.
As we plan for the 2023 conference, please join us for a variety of virtual opportunities offered throughout the year. These will include webinars for students interested in non-faculty jobs, a virtual panel of non-academic sociologists, and more. Watch your email inbox and the website for more information!
The submission portal will open on or about September 6, 2022. The submission deadline is November 7, 2022.