Programme full

WELCOME
Welcome to the British Sociological Association Annual Conference 2015 at Glasgow Caledonian University. The
theme of the 2015 conference is ‘Societies in Transition: Progression or Regression?’ It is a pleasure to
announce that Alice Goffman, Colin Samson and Guy Standing will each address the conference in three thoughtprovoking
plenaries on this main theme.
In addition to these plenaries, delegates have the opportunity to attend presentations on a wide range of topics. The
conference is organised in streams designed to represent the major areas of research with which sociologists are
engaged. These streams are open to any topic on which people are currently working, enabling delegates to meet
with colleagues in their areas of interest and explore a variety of topics as well. Many of the streams also include a
Stream Plenary, which brings key speakers together to reflect on the conference theme from particular sociological
perspectives.
There are also a number of open streams (Frontiers) providing a forum for new, innovative and multidisciplinary
work. This year these streams include topics such as digital sociology, activism in sociology, disability studies and
many more, further enriching the wealth of topics to be explored. This conference format results in a rich and
challenging programme and it is hoped that this every delegate will find the same this year.
A conference of this magnitude and breadth is due to the efforts of many committed individuals. Great thanks are due
to all those who have helped with the organisation of the conference, particularly the convenors of the conference
streams:
Cities, Mobilities, Place and Space (CIT)
Culture, Media, Sport and Consumption (CUL)
Environment and Society (ENV)
Families and Relationships (FAM)
Frontiers (FRO)
Lifecourse (LIF)
Medicine, Health and Illness (MED)
Methodological Innovations (MET)
Race, Ethnicity and Migration (REM)
Rights, Violence and Crime (RIG)
Science and Technology Studies (STS)
Social Divisions/Social Identities (DIV)
Sociology of Education (EDU)
Sociology of Religion (REL)
Theory (THE)
Work, Employment and Economic Life (WOR)
Robin Smith, Cardiff University
Gaynor Bagnall, University of Salford
Garry Crawford, University of Salford
Tom Roberts, University of Surrey
Kathryn Almack, University of Nottingham
Jo Woodiwiss, University of Huddersfield
Rampaul Chamba, BSA Membership Services Director
Wendy Martin, Brunel University
Julia Twigg, University of Kent
Sally Brown, Durham University
Kate Weiner, University of Sheffield
Emma Uprichard, University of Warwick
Ipek Demir, University of Leicester
Aaron Winter, University of East London
Victoria Canning, The Open University
Giorgia Dona, University of East London
Hannah Miller, Kingston University
Angela Cassidy, King’s College London
Des Fitzgerald, King’s College London
Stevienna de Saille, University of Sheffield
Rachel Hale, Cardiff University / University of
Nottingham
Jamie Halsall, University of Huddersfield
Nicola Ingram, University of Bath
Michael Ward, The Open University
Tim Hutchings, Durham University
Tom Brock, Manchester Metropolitan University
Stephen Kemp, University of Edinburgh
Monika Krause, Goldsmiths, University of London
Maria Adamson, Middlesex University
Ben Fincham, University of Sussex
Lynne Pettinger, University of Warwick
We would also like to express our appreciation for the support of our sponsors and exhibitors for their support. The
Saltire Centre will include exhibitions from many organisations who offer services and information for conference
delegates. Please take some time between sessions to visit these exhibitors.
3 BSA Annual Conference 2015
Glasgow Caledonian University