Fast-track Sociology? Reflections on Research During a Pandemic

Anna Ilsøe, Pelle Korsbæk Sørensen

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Abstract

When the coronavirus spread globally in early 2020, many governments issued national lockdowns of schools, institutions, and businesses. As the epidemic turned into a pandemic, the health crisis also became a societal crisis, and many universities and research foundations issued COVID-19 grants to study the societal implications of the crisis.

In this article, we discuss sociological research during the corona crisis and ask the questions: What role did sociology play in the pandemic – and how did the pandemic affect sociology? We argue that trends of a fast-track sociology can be observed, which
has implications for methods, theory, analysis, and societal impact. Fast-track sociology is often faster, more interdisciplinary and dialogue-based, disseminates more preliminary results, and has potential of more societal impact. However, it also contains challenges if it is not interlinked with more critical and slower research processes, which are core to the sociological profession.
Original languageEnglish
JournalNordic Journal of Working Life Studies
Volume13
Issue numberS10
Pages (from-to)139-147
ISSN2245-0157
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Jul 2023

Keywords

  • Faculty of Social Sciences
  • Health
  • Working Environment & Wellbeing
  • Employment
  • Wages
  • Unemployment &Rehabilitation
  • Work/Life Balance
  • Labor Market
  • Institutions & Social Partners
  • Organization & management

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