Sociology
Research at the Departement of Sociology
The Department of Sociology has an established history of conducting research projects that are nationally and internationally recognised. The research brings social theory to the understanding of contemporary social issues and to enhancing policies to deal with them. Many of the projects are at the forefront of international research in the social sciences and have been used to inform policies at both a national and an international level. Members of the Department have carried out work for a range of international institutions, including the European Union, the OECD, the European Science Foundation, the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Organisation for Migration, European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training. Members of the Department act as consultants also to the European Commission, the European Parliament.
The Sociology Department hosted the international journal European Societies, journal of the European Sociological Association from January 2002 until December 2006.
Research at the Department of Sociology
The department contains two research clusters, which are responsible for discussing on-going projects and developing new projects. Most of the research development takes place within the context of these 2 research clusters, which represent the different intellectual fields of the Department. The two research clusters also represent an accumulation of expertise and experience, so that even if the membership of the groups change, the work of the group can continue. However, the membership of the clusters is flexible and the different groups co-operate on various projects. The research clusters often bring together new fields of knowledge which are not usually linked in order to provide research innovation. For example, the STEPS cluster links medical and social sciences, the EQUI cluster links labour market, education and innovation. There are certain cross-cutting themes and interests which link all the groups together, namely: gender, the future of the work society, knowledge society, and comparative sociology. Therefore, in this document the two research clusters are presented separately.
1.EQUI (Employment, Qualification, Innovation)
2.STEPS (Social Practices of Environment, Technology and Sciences)
Postgraduate Training in Sociology
The Department of Sociology offers a three-year post-graduate programme in Sociology with the theme “Comparative Sociology”. Courses are held in German and English.
The scholars who are accepted for postgraduate training are integrated into the Departmental seminars and meetings and can contribute when they feel it is appropriate. These scholars often go onto to join the two research clusters when they have finished their studies.
The seminars offered by the members of the Department reflect the two research clusters within the Department and often invite contributions from the contract research staff as well as the regularly employed research assistants. The teaching the research of the Department is therefore integrally connected.
The basic doctoral training programme lays heavy emphasis upon research methods training and is divided between level 1 methods training, mainly in the first year and more advanced methods training at level 2. A particular theme for the research training programme in the Sociology Department is Comparative Sociology.
As well as the intensive methods training, seminars are offered on different themes, reflecting the research work of the Department. The themes for 2006-2009 are: Education, Innovation and the Knowledge Society in Comparative Perspective; Work-Life Balance; Clustering, Networks and the Sociology of Space in Comparative Perspective; European Social Model; The Theory of Social Practices; Science and Technology Studies in Comparative Perspective.
The internal staff are supplemented by internationally renowned guest professors from Europe, the USA and elsewhere who are often also collaborating on international projects with members of the Department.
The Sociology Department hosted the international journal European Societies, journal of the European Sociological Association from January 2002 until December 2006.
Research at the Department of Sociology
The department contains two research clusters, which are responsible for discussing on-going projects and developing new projects. Most of the research development takes place within the context of these 2 research clusters, which represent the different intellectual fields of the Department. The two research clusters also represent an accumulation of expertise and experience, so that even if the membership of the groups change, the work of the group can continue. However, the membership of the clusters is flexible and the different groups co-operate on various projects. The research clusters often bring together new fields of knowledge which are not usually linked in order to provide research innovation. For example, the STEPS cluster links medical and social sciences, the EQUI cluster links labour market, education and innovation. There are certain cross-cutting themes and interests which link all the groups together, namely: gender, the future of the work society, knowledge society, and comparative sociology. Therefore, in this document the two research clusters are presented separately.
1.EQUI (Employment, Qualification, Innovation)
2.STEPS (Social Practices of Environment, Technology and Sciences)
Postgraduate Training in Sociology
The Department of Sociology offers a three-year post-graduate programme in Sociology with the theme “Comparative Sociology”. Courses are held in German and English.
The scholars who are accepted for postgraduate training are integrated into the Departmental seminars and meetings and can contribute when they feel it is appropriate. These scholars often go onto to join the two research clusters when they have finished their studies.
The seminars offered by the members of the Department reflect the two research clusters within the Department and often invite contributions from the contract research staff as well as the regularly employed research assistants. The teaching the research of the Department is therefore integrally connected.
The basic doctoral training programme lays heavy emphasis upon research methods training and is divided between level 1 methods training, mainly in the first year and more advanced methods training at level 2. A particular theme for the research training programme in the Sociology Department is Comparative Sociology.
As well as the intensive methods training, seminars are offered on different themes, reflecting the research work of the Department. The themes for 2006-2009 are: Education, Innovation and the Knowledge Society in Comparative Perspective; Work-Life Balance; Clustering, Networks and the Sociology of Space in Comparative Perspective; European Social Model; The Theory of Social Practices; Science and Technology Studies in Comparative Perspective.
The internal staff are supplemented by internationally renowned guest professors from Europe, the USA and elsewhere who are often also collaborating on international projects with members of the Department.
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