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Developing public sociology through health impact assessment
1School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK. elliotte@cardiff.ac.uk
Sociology of Health & Illness
|June 21, 2008
Summary
Public sociology enhances professional sociology by engaging diverse publics. This involves mutual learning between communities, professionals, and social scientists, particularly within health impact assessments.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Public Health
- Community Engagement
Background:
- Renewed interest in public sociology prompts discussion on sociological work's role with the State and civil society.
- Medical sociologists are well-positioned to contribute due to their experience engaging with diverse audiences.
- Debates on sociological work are explored through a health impact assessment (HIA) in a former mining community.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how debates on sociological work manifest in a health impact assessment.
- To connect HIA dynamics with broader social science discussions on new knowledge spaces and expertise.
- To describe the role of the public sociologist in mediating lay and professional knowledge.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of a health impact assessment process.
- Exploration of sociological work within community-based public health initiatives.
- Examination of the interplay between lay participants, professionals, and social scientists.
Main Results:
- The health impact assessment served as a site for debating sociological work and expertise.
- The process highlighted the dynamics of 'new knowledge spaces' for discussing public issues.
- The public sociologist facilitated mutual learning between different knowledge holders.
Conclusions:
- Public sociology fosters a process of mutual learning, integrating lay and professional knowledge.
- Meaningful professional sociology requires embracing public sociology and new knowledge production spaces.
- Engaging with publics is crucial for the evolution of sociology in addressing societal challenges.
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