Working Notes Issue 3

Doing Sociology Beyond Academia

By Zuleyka Zevallos

The articles in Doing Sociology Beyond Academia: Making Sociology “Work” aim to give voice to some of the positive and problematic issues that applied sociologists face in their everyday work. This collection of papers develop the links between applied and academic sociological practices, so that we might all better work together to strengthen Australian sociology.

Youth Unemployment in the Illawarra: An Investigation into the Problems facing Young Job Seekers in our Region

By Scott Burrows

This article discusses studying youth unemployment outside of an academic setting by contextualising the ‘sociology of work’ context. It also considers important private sector dimensions that differ from research undertaken in an academic context.

Breaking Down the Otherness of Applied Sociology

By Zuleyka Zevallos

Zuleyka focuses on the connections and disconnections between academia and applied sociology, with a view to breaking down the divide between these complimentary spheres of sociology. She discusses Michael Burawoy’s typology of public sociology before presenting a brief case study of the applications of sociology towards national security research and policy.

Sociology as Other: Sociological Thinking Applied to Mental Health Clinical Practice

By Joy Adams-Jackson

Joy works as a registered nurse in a rural community mental health facility, but identifies as clinical sociologist. She shows how she uses a sociological perspective to question assumptions about risk management in health policy and biomedical practice.

Changing Places

By Bruce Smyth

Bruce moved back into academia having worked in social policy for many years. He reflects on what it’s like to address family issues in an applied context, including identifying problems, finding funding and communicating with external audiences. He also reflects on his move back into university.

Exploring the Entrepreneurial Option for Sociologists

By Karina Butera

Karina explores how she uses sociology in her commercial work as a life coach. She discusses how she set up her business whilst undertaking her PhD and provides tips to students who share her entrepreneurial spirit.

Social Acts

By Anthony Hogan

Anthony outlines some of the advocacy and research he has led in the policy sector, including occupational health and safety risks, farmers’ perceptions of climate change, food security, and work experiences of people with disabilities.

Diversity in the Sociological World

ByJulie Cappleman-Morgan and Annika Coughlin

Julie and Annika discuss the need to properly value the work of applied sociologists. They share the history of the Sociologists Outside Academia group, founded under the British Sociological Association. The group tackles various issues from networking to campaigning.

The Utility of Participant Observation in Applied Sociological Research

By Jan Ali

Jan shows how to use participant observation to explain complex social phenomena and to illustrate that practitioners can affect social change. Jan uses a case study of his research on the Tablighi Jamaat, a religious social movement in Sydney, Australia.

Opportunities for Teaching Sociology Within Enabling Courses

By Anna Bennett

Anna discusses her experiences teaching sociology outside a university as part of an enabling course for youth aged 17 to 20 years who hope to qualify for tertiary study.

I Can Feel Like a Ship Without a Rudder

By Susan Pitt

Susan offers an introspection on the importance of peer support and networks for non-academics, and how this shapes her identity as a sociologist.