On the History of a troubled Relationship: Sociology and Statistics in Britain Part I

Sun, 10 Nov 2019 18:15:00 GMT

In this two-part blog entry Dr. Plamena Panayotova investigates the roots of the peculiarly distanced relationship of British Sociology and Statistics. In Part I, Plamena questions attitudes within Sociology that deem historical enquiry as superfluous. In fact, this anti-historicity is often a peculiar commonality of those disciplines which, otherwise, seem to have little in common, at least in Britain. But how, then does one study the historical genesis of this relationship?

On the History of a troubled Relationship: Sociology and Statistics in Britain Part II

Wed, 20 Nov 2019 07:10:00 GMT

In Part II of this entry Dr. Plamena Panayotova surveys various historical meeting points between British Sociology and Statistics. Inculcating a generally ‘generalistic’ attitude in its students, Sociology, despite the statistics fashion of the 1960’s, retained its aversion against drab ‘facts’ and ‘trivia’. But with this rejection goes along an untimely high degree of hostility towards the potential benefits of the tool of aggregating many cases.

Doctors outwith borders: reflections on academic activism and influence

Mon, 24 Jul 2017 12:03:00 BST

This guest post comes from Dr Hannah Graham from the University of Stirling. In it she reflects on academic activism and influence. The post is based on Hannah's presentation at an SCCJR PGR conference.

How is your PhD going?

Mon, 30 Jun 2014 14:18:00 BST

Caitlin Gormley and Poppy Kohner reflect on issues that many PGR researchers may face such as isolation, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome. They see peer-to-peer support as a way to attempt to foster community between people who are experiencing similar circumstances in and through their PhD journeys.

Keep on travelling

Tue, 01 Jul 2014 14:19:00 BST

Annemiek Rhebergen writes about her travels in Australia as part of her PhD in the field of indigenous and (critical) heritage studies. Not only did Annemiek visit new places and meet new people, the trip increased her confidence in the broader journey she is undertaking.

Reflecting on collaborative scholarship down under

Mon, 31 Aug 2015 16:21:53 BST

Caitlin Gormley (University of Glasgow) and Berindah Aicken (University of New South Wales) write about their collaborative work on analysing transcripts.

Reflections on Free Thinking and Academic Practice

Thu, 18 May 2017 16:52:00 BST

Dr Alistair Fraser reflects on his experience of being one of the BBC's 'New Generation Thinkers' and featuring on BBC Radio 3's Free Thinking programme.

Some reflections on language-related issues in a PhD research project

Tue, 05 Apr 2016 16:18:00 BST

Dr Robert Gibb reflects on what he learned recently from one of his ‘non-achievements’ as a PhD student and on the issues involved in researching multilingually.