Research Networks

Research networks are an essential part of the intellectual life of the ESA. They are the groups “where most of the action is”: confrontation between different approaches; comparison between societies and between national sociological traditions; continued discussion and collaboration. They organise regular meetings among their members and other interested sociologists and have a key role in preparing the program of the large bi-annual ESA conference. Research networks are focussed sufficiently to motivate people and to enable them to work effectively with each other. They meet more frequently than is possible within the framework of general conferences. These meetings tend to be smaller and more homogeneous, and thus more suited to intellectual debate and the exchange of ideas.

To date, the ESA Executive Committee has approved 37 Research Networks (RNs).

Contact:

For any question concerning Research Networks, you can contact the ESA office.
The Chair of the ESA Research Networks Committee is Bernadette Brereton (bernadette.brereton [at] dkit.ie)

 

RN01 - Ageing in Europe

With a dedication to interdisciplinary collaboration, the Research Network on Ageing in Europe (RN01) facilitates international networking and knowledge-exchange between those with research interests in ageing

RN02 - Sociology of the Arts

The Research Network Sociology of the Arts aims to advance sociological and interdisciplinary research providing contexts for understanding the multifaceted and interwoven factors that characterize the arts in society, in the past, present, and potential futures. RN02 promotes collaboration and scholarly exchange between European-based scholars of the arts and non-European scholars whose work encompasses the arts in Europe.

RN03 - Biographical Perspectives on European Societies

The RN03 promotes biographical perspectives on social reality by scholarly exchange and creative collaboration

RN04 - Sociology of Children and Childhood

Developing critical research on children’s lives and positions in societies and on childhood as a social phenomenon

RN05 - Sociology of Consumption

RN05 addresses social, cultural, symbolic, economic, political and material dimensions of consumption. The RN also contributes to societal debates on contested and challenged aspects of consumption and assists in advancing associated policy measures and societal developments.

RN06 - Critical Political Economy

RN06 Critical Political Economy consists of a community of critical political economy scholars and activists, departing from the understanding that without the hypothesis that a different world is possible, there can be no politics.

RN07 - Sociology of Culture

RN07 brings together an exciting mixture of a wide range of different approaches to sociological analyses of cultural practices, from almost all traditions of European Sociology. Because culture relates to almost anything that is sociologically relevant, we stress that cultural sociology is not bound to culture in terms of a thematic focus, but instead we advocate that culture should be used as a tool-box for exploring the connections between everyday life and practices of communication, signification and valuation.

RN08 - Disaster, Conflict and Social Crisis

RN08 is interested in promoting the study, research, and analysis of “natural”, technological, and social disasters with a view to contributing to the development of disaster-resilient European communities and preventing or mitigating the human, economic, social, cultural, and psychological effects of disasters.

RN09 - Economic Sociology

The Economic Sociology research network is a vibrant community whose objective is to promote the sociological study of the economy in its entirety.

RN10 - Sociology of Education

RN10 aims at providing a forum for a variety of educational research, ranging from broad comparative research to everyday practices and processes in school, at all levels of formal education. 

RN11 - Sociology of Emotions

An emotion lens on the social world

RN12 - Environment & Society

RN12 Environment and Society is dedicated to advancing the sociological imagination of Environmental Sociology and to foster cooperation with other disciplines.

RN13 - Sociology of Families and Intimate Lives

RN13 is “the network” of family sociologists in Europe

RN14 - Gender relations in the labour market and the welfare state

The importance of employment and labour market for the life chances of the members in the European nation states and in the developing common labour market of the European Union is undisputed. The specific and discriminated situation of women is an important reason to study the complex interrelation of the societal and labour market situation (not only) of women.

RN15 - Global, transnational and cosmopolitan sociology

The world is a single place

RN16 - Sociology of Health and Medicine

Explaining health, illness and health care

RN17 - Work, Employment and Industrial Relations

RN17 is dedicated to the study of all aspects and dimensions of work, labour and the employment relationship. RN17 has a tradition in cross-national themes but embraces all researchers in the diverse and field of the sociology of work and labour.

RN18 - Sociology of Communications and Media Research

The Sociology of Communications and Media Research Network provides a platform for critical research and debate on questions of power, inequality, identity and social change in increasingly mediatized societies.

RN19 - Sociology of Professions

For Perspectives on Professions and Professionalism - The major aim of the network is to provide a European forum for the development, discussion and dissemination of research in the sociology of professions.

RN20 - Qualitative Methods

RN20 is dedicated to sharing, discussing, developing and advancing application of the wide range of qualitative methodological approaches, methods and techniques in sociological research. RN20 aims at providing a forum for a variety of social researchers and enhancing their cooperation.

RN21 - Quantitative Methods

The focus of RN21 is on the development, critical evaluation, and use of quantitative methods in sociological research. We are committed to offer an analytical perspective on sociology, where our theoretical arguments are strictly evaluated by empirical research.

RN22 - Sociology of Risk and Uncertainty

The Sociology of Risk and Uncertainty research network stimulates sociological and interdisciplinary research and debate around how risk and uncertainty are perceived, constructed, managed, communicated and/or neglected by social actors at individual, organizational and macro levels.

RN23 - Sexuality

A safe space for sharing original, challenging perspectives on sexuality.

RN24 - Science and Technology

Interrelations between science, technology and society are in the focus of research interests of RN24 members.

RN25 - Social Movements

The Research Network Social Movements aims to advance sociological and interdisciplinary research of contentious politics, protest and social movements.

RN26 - Sociology of Social Policy and Social Welfare

Social policy and welfare in theoretical, comparative and practical terms.

RN27 - Regional Network Southern European Societies

The aim of RN27 is to facilitate sociological research in Southern Europe and of Southern European Communities abroad and to promote communication and cooperation between sociologists and between sociologists and other social scientists interested in the region. Also, we would like to encourage the participation of sociologists from neighboring countries working on common areas, specially the Mediterranean area, the Middle East, and others.

RN28 - Society and Sports

RN28 studies the role sport plays in contemporary societies, how that role has changed over time, and whether and how sports foster or inhibit social cohesion and inequality.

RN29 - Social Theory

Social theory is integral to the traditions and identity of European sociology. RN29 is a vital and convivial forum committed to the systematic investigation, reflexive discussion, innovative development, and creative application of social theory.

RN30 - Youth & Generation

RN30 Youth and Generation promotes research in the field of youth, providing the main forum for sociological advancement and debates in Europe in this area.

RN31 - Ethnic Relations, Racism and Antisemitism

The network’s perspective is to bridge an exclusive divide between the understanding of antisemitism and of racism, exploring the correspondences and affinities, but also the differences and contrasts.

RN32 - Political Sociology

The Research Network on European Political Sociology is a site for debate on the ongoing transformation of political order and authority in Europe and beyond.

RN33 - Women’s and Gender Studies

RN33 promotes and supports women's and gender studies in all areas of societies, aims to understand existing gender inequalities and encourages debate on women's and gender issues

RN34 - Sociology of Religion

Understanding Religions in Europe – social, cultural, political and public dimensions

RN35 - Sociology of Migration

The place for fruitful discussions about migration, inclusion and exclusion, and diversity in Europe

RN36 - Sociology of Transformations: East and West

RN36 provides a forum for researchers interested in social transformation studies and exploration of social life in transforming societies of Eastern and Central Europe and beyond.   

RN37 - Urban Sociology

The Research Network 37 on Urban Sociology aims to stimulate the scientific debate on urban issues (space, everyday life, problems, opportunities, etc.), with attention to create a cross-disciplinary space of exchange.