The profile of European sociologists. Report on the 12th Conference of the European Sociological Associations (25 – 28 August 2015, Prague)

Abstract

The title of the conference that was organized in the modern building complex of the Czech Technical University suggested that, besides addressing the usual, practically ‘mandatory’ subjects, the conference would this time include the unusual and fresh topics Differences, Inequalities and Sociological Imagination. Several factors contributed to creating the optimistic, dynamic atmosphere necessary for this. First of all, the conference was attended by the greatest number of participants ever recorded: 3,500 registrants (at the previous conference in Turin there were 2,600 participants), and the number of papers and posters that were presented also set a new record (2,900), along with the number of sessions (700). The obvious presence of a significant number of young participants was conspicuous to anyone who walked through the corridors of the university or in the university parks. According to the official report of the Program Committee, 28% of the participants were students (and according to one non-official estimate, 40%, if PhD students are also included). So, the fruits of the sociology PhD programs have ripened. Many doctoral candidates wish to test themselves in a professional European working environment, and the PhD graduation process also compels them to engage in as much intense publication activity as possible. Perhaps we don’t need to worry so much about the future of sociology science after all.