The American Sociological Association has led a coalition of leading sociological organizations to send an open letter defending the important role of sociology in universities and society, while condemning recent federal actions that threaten academic inquiry and freedom of expression. The letter, signed by the presidents of ten major sociological associations, calls on university leaders, policy makers and the public to resist efforts to undermine disciplines and stifle research on society.
The signatories’ harm to the sudden cancellation of federal contracts, the loss of work of sociologists in the academic and public sectors, and the atmosphere of fear, expressing their growing concern, and the atmosphere that prevents scholars from exercising their constitutional rights. They warn that these threats can harm individual researchers, reduce public knowledge, and undermine institutions that fuel economic, social and technological advancements.
“Sociology enhances universities, the private sector and public institutions,” the letter states. “Through empirical research, sociologists provide key insights into pressing social issues from the impact of immigration on crime rates to the benefits of family-friendly workplace policies. The repression of this knowledge is a detriment to society.”
The letter is firmly opposed to federal policies that restrict academic freedom and research, emphasizing that universities act as hubs for knowledge discovery and train the expertise of the next generation of social scientists to inform areas such as technology, health care and government. The authors urged university leaders to oppose efforts to limit sociological education and research, and confirmed that “demolition of academia not only hurts academia; it deprives every well-trained expert who contributes to key industries.”
With these challenges in mind, the Alliance calls on universities to actively support the sociology department, faculty and students. “Now more than ever, higher education, private enterprises and the public sector must support the academia and recognize that sociology plays a vital role in promoting knowledge and cultivating a better society,” the letter concluded.
Read the full letter here:
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