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Org. Olga Simonova
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Sports, Bodies, and Emotions (20182)
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Org. Miriam Adelman
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Alienation and Futures Research (20184)
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Orgs. Dirk Michel-Schertges, Mariolina Graziosi
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Estudios De La Alienación: Teoría y Método (20185)
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Org. Humberto Fernandes
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Alienation and Environmental Studies (20559)
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Org. Miriam Adelman
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La Militarización De La Vida Sociopolítica (20569)
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Orgs. Ramón Menéndez Domingo, Laura Mosteyrin
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Alienation and Knowledge: The Anthropocene and Human Development (21114)
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Org. Dirk Michel-Schertges
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Social Media: (Selv-)Mastery, Alienation and Emancipation (21115)
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Org. Dirk Michel-Schertges​
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Alienation, Racial Capitalism, and Palestine (21308)
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Org. David Embrick
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Orgs. Emma Engdahl, Olga Simonova
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Alienation and Public Opinion (21408)
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Org. Andrew Blasko
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Digital Alienation: From Everyday Internet to Artificial Intelligence (21452)
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Orgs. Sunjin Oh, Vessela Misheva
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Do the Powerless Support Populists? (22093)
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Orgs. David Embrick, Ekaterina Lytkina
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PANEL: "RC36 Invites: Current and Future Perspectives on the Anthropocene" (20181)
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Org. Humberto Fernandes [NO ABSTRACTS]
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Orgs. Silvia Pezzoli, Stefano Becucci [NO ABSTRACTS]
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Session #20117
Social Effects of Nostalgic Sentiments in the Modern World: Navigating Alienation from and Reconciliation with the Past and Present
Org. Olga Simonova
This session will comprehensively investigate the ways in which nostalgia shapes contemporary social life. Today’s preoccupation with nostalgia reflects an increased anxiety about the world in which we live, which is increasingly perceived as dangerous and fearful. Since the study of nostalgia has evolved into a distinct academic field, it attracts scholars from a range of disciplines and fields of research, most notably sociology. Nostalgia is now viewed as an important emotional anchor in one’s relations to time, memory, others, and self, and is theorized as a composite emotion constituted by a number of seemingly contradictory experiences. The complexity of nostalgia and its various socio-cultural contexts can thus have differing social consequences for people’s relationships and the social order as a whole, including a transformative potential to shape ideology and policy. We welcome all contributions that address the interplay between nostalgia and modern social dynamics and seek new perspectives and insights. Possible discussion topics include: Nostalgia and social identity: How nostalgia shapes individual and collective identities in different cultural contexts; Healing and resilience through nostalgia: How nostalgic memories contribute to personal well-being and community resilience in times of uncertainty; Critical perspectives on nostalgia: The limitations of nostalgia, including selective memory and exclusionary narratives; The role of nostalgia in media and communication: The use of nostalgia in media content and its impact on audience engagement and social discourse; Nostalgia in the digital age: The promotion and dissemination of nostalgic content by social media and digital platforms.
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Session #20182
Sports, Bodies, and Emotions
Org. Miriam Adelman
This session welcomes theory and research on sporting institutions and practices and the bodies and emotions they mobilize, discipline, and/or 'liberate'. Alienation theory meets sports sociology on a wide field of possibilities: studies of “ the global sport media complex” and the way it sculpts bodies, minds and aspirations, Foucaultian-inspired notions of sport and biopower, and feminist approaches to women’s emancipatory struggles that through sport reclaim their bodies, their autonomy, full rights to the street and to public space, to mention just a few of the many fascinating and pertinent arenas of research and debate that can enrich our thinking and cast new light on society, culture, politics and experience.
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Session #20184
Alienation and Futures Research
Org. Dirk Michel-Schertges, Mariolina Graziosi (RC07 Futures Research)
Alienation Research and Futures Research joint session embraces a comprehensive exploration of the intersection between alienation and future sociological trends. This session delves into current research on alienation in society while also speculating on future trajectories and implications. Participants shall examine the evolving nature of alienation in social structures, considering how it influences individual experiences and societal dynamics. By combining in-depth analysis of past and present alienation research with forward-thinking insights into future scenarios, this seminar aims to offer a holistic understanding of alienation's role in shaping the future landscape of sociology. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on the evolving dynamics of alienation and its sociological significance.
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Session #20185
Estudios De La Alienación: Teoría y Método
Org. Humberto Fernandes
Esta sesión exclusivamente en español, recibe estudios acerca del fenómeno de la alienación social. Esta ha sido objeto de estudio e interés en diversas disciplinas, desde la sociología hasta la psicología. En esta sesión, se explorarán diferentes enfoques teóricos y hallazgos de investigación relacionados con la alienación social, con el objetivo de comprender mejor sus causas, manifestaciones y traer nuevos abordajes. Esperamos discutir temas como la alienación en entornos laborales, comunitarios y familiares, así como su impacto en la salud mental y el bienestar de los individuos. A través de esta exploración, se busca fomentar un diálogo crítico y constructivo que contribuya a la ampliación de nuestro conocimiento sobre este fenómeno social tan relevante en la actualidad.
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Session #20559
Alienation and Environmental Studies
Org. Miriam Adelman
Alienation in the human-nature relationship is a compelling theme in sociology. This session explores the implications of disconnecting from nature, often overlooked in traditional sociological discourse. Factors such as industrialization and technological progress contribute to this detachment, leading to feelings of isolation and environmental exploitation. Cultural influences and philosophical beliefs also play a role in shaping our connection with nature. By examining case studies and research, we aim to understand the roots of this alienation and propose strategies for reconnection and sustainability. Through critical dialogue, this session seeks to shed light on the complexities of alienation from nature and pave the way for a more balanced and mutually beneficial relationship between humans and the environment.
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Session #20569
La Militarización De La Vida Sociopolítica
Orgs. Ramón Menéndez Domingo, Laura Mosteyrin
El reciente atentado fallido contra Trump revela una nueva fase en la polarización ideológica dentro de las democracias occidentales, destacando una creciente militarización en la vida civil y los discursos sociopolíticos. Esta militarización se manifiesta en tres niveles analíticos: macro, meso y micro. A nivel macro, se observa el regreso de conflictos entre potencias, la normalización de la violencia política, y la expansión de políticas y sectores militares y antiterroristas, así como la incorporación de prácticas militares en el ámbito corporativo. En el nivel meso, además de la expansión del belicismo en la esfera pública, se percibe en las relaciones interpersonales y en la instrumentalización de estas relaciones para la eficiencia en la utilización de recursos. A nivel micro, la militarización afecta la cultura popular mediante videojuegos, moda y técnicas psicológicas de gestión del estrés en contextos bélicos, influyendo en la vida cotidiana. En los tres niveles, estos procesos de militarización impactan de manera desigual según género, edad, clase social, raza y etnicidad. Se invita a explorar sociológicamente estos procesos, prácticas y discursos, con contribuciones que aborden temas como las transformaciones del Estado y políticas militaristas, la vigilancia estatal, la creación de algoritmos y tecnologías bélicas aplicadas a la sociedad civil, la estrategia de marcas y países, el comportamiento organizacional, las nuevas tecnologías del yo, la conceptualización estratégica de las relaciones interpersonales, y la influencia de la política en la cultura popular, incluyendo videojuegos, memes, literatura y moda.
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Session #21114
Alienation and Knowledge: The Anthropocene and Human Development
Org. Dirk Michel-Schertges
Human history reveals uneven mastery over nature and the emergence of various forms of oppression through socio-historical developments in economic and political structures, perpetuated within social institutions. In this context, the session will elaborate on alienation in the context of the quest of knowledge, recognizing how both social and existential forms of alienation influence individuals' social engagement, education, human development, and learning. While alienation is a hindrance to critical thinking and creativity challenging established norms, it can also restrict knowledge acquisition, fostering disengagement and apathy. The session will give opportunities to open for discussions in order to reflect on (experiences of) alienation and its impact on processes of human development and education as well as learning. We invite you to join us in investigating the processes and dynamics of alienation, knowledge and human development, aiming to deepen understanding of how these dynamics shape perceptions and engagement with intellectual pursuits. These knowledge and perceptions outline human action upon Nature and the transformation of our surroundings accordingly, projecting the anthropocenic scenario we aim to explore. In this respect, this session aims to question the linear progress narrative rooted in instrumental rationality and competition, prompting considerations of alternative utopias inherent to human solidarity. It seeks to explore concepts and possibilities for implementing new visions of human action in practical contexts, challenging conventional notions of progress and envisioning futures diverging from historical trajectories.
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Session #21115
Social Media: (Selv-)Mastery, Alienation and Emancipation
Org. Dirk Michel-Schertges
With the rapid development of social media and their global spread in recent decades, the possibilities of communication have changed. On the one hand, unfettered access to social media can promote social movements and the quest for freedom in authoritarian social systems; on the other hand, the same social media offer enemies of democracy a platform on which state conspiracies and anti-democratic actions can be planned. But social media also have an impact at the individual level. The algorithms of the leading Internet platforms adapt to the individual usage patterns of social media users and influence them through positive reinforcement. Interacting with others and presenting oneself on social media platforms such as tictoc and facebook can lead to an exaggerated self-image as well as self-loathing and self-hatred. This session serves as a forum to shed light on both collective and individual processes of alienation and reification that flourish through the technological advances of social media.
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Session #21308
Alienation, Racial Capitalism, and Palestine
Org. David Embrick
The continued oppression of Palestine and the Palestinian people is (and has been) complicated by pro-Israel Western attempts to thwart investigations or discussions regarding Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine and its consistent human rights violations against Palestinians. Such assertions are often dismissed as anti-Semitic, or rhetorical logic is used to claim the oppressed can never be the oppressors. The recent atrocities following the attacks by Hamas against Israel on October 7th and the ensuring war on Gaza (and continued acts of oppression on the West Bank) are the most recent consequences of what Illan Pappé and other scholars have argued constitute as one of several grave injustices of our time toward the Palestinian people. While much has been written on human rights violations and settler colonialism of the Israeli occupation of Palestine, less has been analyzed and explored on the alienation (in its various forms) aspects of the continued occupation. In this session, scholars offer new insights on Palestine centered on alienation and racial capitalism as explanatory theories/concepts that may better explain the long-standing Israel-Palestine conflicts.
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Session #21395
The Affective and Emotional Dimensions of Alienation: Modernity, Agents, Structures, and Processes
Orgs. Emma Engdahl, Olga Simonova
Alienation, a cornerstone of sociology, delineates the disconnection between individuals and their social milieu, taking on multifaceted forms in contemporary society, influencing emotional landscapes and interpersonal dynamics. This session delves into the intricate interplay of alienation and emotion, exploring how structural conditions, social relations, and individual agency converge to shape diverse emotional states and manifestations of estrangement. Through diverse theoretical and empirical lenses, the session aims to deepen insights into this complex interplay within late modern societies. Key themes include: the role of capitalist social relations in generating alienation and its emotional consequences, drawing on Marxist theory and empirical studies; the relational nature of alienation, where individuals feel detached from societal roles and identities, impacting emotion management; discussions on emotional labor, alienation, and burnout in professional contexts; the effects of rapid social and technological changes alongside diminished agency on contemporary alienation and its emotional dimensions; experiences of marginalized groups grappling with belonging and alienation; and the emotional dynamics within familial relationships, including "parental alienation." The literature on alienation reveals two main perspectives: an objective, Marxian view focusing on sociohistorical and structural origins of alienation as independent of individual sentiments, and a subjectivist, social-psychological perspective emphasizing inner mental states influenced by external socio-environmental factors. This session invites exploration of the affective dimensions of alienation—how it is experienced, the emotions it embodies, and its impact on individual emotional lives—seeking to enrich our understanding of this pervasive societal phenomenon.
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Session #21408
Alienation and Public Opinion
Org. Andrew Blasko
This session will explore relations between the formation of public opinion within the context of modern societies and alienation from family, community, working life, and society. Changing patterns of social relationships in all spheres of life, together with increased individualization in modern social life, provide a background for updating the sociological perspective on alienation as a dominant feature of late modern society. The issue of public opinion has traditionally been entangled with the question of its impact, particularly on motivations for political action, power in the political process, and political outcomes and change, with alienation being an integral element of discussion. Although political developments in late modern society have cast doubt on the power of public opinion to influence social institutions, alienation in terms of low institutional, interpersonal, and epistemic trust, which generates political indifference and alienates voters, has emerged as a major factor. Furthermore, in the digital age, the collective and individual identity of those who shape public opinion is contingent upon the increased ability of the general public to influence opinions of and about those who represent them. However, the authority of public opinion itself may be disappearing in late modern society, along with public intellectuals themselves, who no longer can play their integrative and critical role in society in the age of fake news, when alienation becomes a prerequisite for influencing public opinion. Papers concerned both with theoretical and empirical issues that address the relation between alienation and the formation of public opinion are welcomed.
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Session #21452
Digital Alienation: From Everyday Internet to Artificial Intelligence
Orgs. Sunjin Oh, Vessela Misheva
The emergence of "digital alienation" as a specialized field in sociology has introduced new concepts and insights into scholarly discourse, yet assessing its transformative impact on traditional alienation theory remains complex due to limited studies on evolving dynamics within digital networks. This session welcomes papers exploring novel forms of self-alienation and the methodological advancements arising from digital alienation research. Examples include investigations into constructing "profile-based identity" through "second order observation," wherein identity is shaped by others' perceptions rather than direct self-assessment. The session aims to deepen understanding of how digital society, labor, and selfhood have revitalized alienation as a sociological theme and social phenomenon. Concurrently, the session addresses the profound societal transformations accompanying digitalization, where relationships with algorithmic entities and virtual realities increasingly substitute human interactions. Beyond visible risks, the session delves into the less obvious impacts of AI technologies on human identity and social relations. Papers exploring these themes from an alienation theory perspective are encouraged to enrich theoretical frameworks and expand insights into contemporary technological mediations of human intimacy, meaning, and language. This inclusive approach seeks to elucidate the multifaceted dimensions of digital alienation and its implications across various domains including social media dynamics, surveillance, online economies, and digital religions.
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Session #22093
Do the Powerless Support Populists?
Orgs. Ekaterina Lytkina, David Embrick
Perceived powerlessness is often used to explain populism. However, do the powerless support populists? If so, why do they prefer voting for populists over abstaining from voting? Some researchers view support for populist ideology as a means for the powerless to gain empowerment and find solutions to their problems outside of the existing political system. Others, however, suggest that only those with a high level of political efficacy can support populists. Empirical research also yields contradictory results. We invite researchers with theoretical and empirical contributions to revisit the role of perceived powerlessness, one of the components of models of alienation, in the support for populist ideology. Of particular interest is research aimed at establishing causality between perceived powerlessness and populist support.
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PANEL SESSION #20181
RC36 Invites: Current and Future Perspectives on the Anthropocene
Org. Humberto Fernandes
The Anthropocene highlights the undeniable influence of human activities on the Earth's ecosystems, climate, and biodiversity. As we navigate this epoch of human-induced environmental change, it is imperative to understand the interconnectedness of societal structures, economic systems, and ecological well-being. Social transformation emerges as a key catalyst for steering societies towards more sustainable practices and fostering resilience in the face of environmental challenges. Sociology plays a pivotal role in advocating for systemic change, challenging dominant narratives, and promoting further mobilization of collective action towards sustainability goals. From grassroots environmental movements to global campaigns for climate justice, social movements have the power to challenge unsustainable practices, promote alternative modes of production and consumption, and advocate for a more equitable distribution of resources. By addressing issues of inequality, development, and injustice, community-glocal movements can foster solidarity, empowerment, community-building and resilience in the face of environmental crises. The future trajectory of humanity is intricately linked to our ability to transition towards a more sustainable economy that prioritizes environmental stewardship, social equity, and intergenerational justice. We must therefore reimagine economic systems as much as value ecological services and prioritize well-being over material accumulation, so that we can create a more just and sustainable future for all. Or mustn't we? What else can be done? Hence, this Panel Session invites ISA experts to discuss the Anthropocene era and how it presents both challenges and opportunities for humanity to rethink our relationship with the planet, each other, to ourselves, and future generations.
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PANEL SESSION #20950
Higher Education Systems between Quality Assurance, Rankings, and Alienation to the Labour Market. What out-of-Ranking Higher Education Systems Can Teach Us?
Org. Silvia Pezzoli, Stefano Becucci
This panel seeks to provide a space for reflecting on the structure and inherent values of today’s higher education systems. This includes identifying factors that drive the transformation of accreditation systems that define the quality of HES courses of study and the mechanisms underlying teachers’ career progress. We should note that the indicators used in international ranking systems provide insight into how university offerings are designed and awarded. Second, the panel will discuss a pertinent example taken from field experience—the EU-funded Erasmus+ capacity-building project “Advancing Strategic Management, Leadership and Fundraising in Higher Education in Asia, 2021-24” (ASTRA)—which focused on improving the financial sustainability of two higher education institutions in Laos and two in Thailand. In Europe, the growth in demand for university-level qualifications has led to standardizing HES (e.g. the Bologna Process and the adoption of the Dublin descriptors) and emphasizing the importance of a close relationship with the labor market. This has often coincided with the adoption of a neo-liberal vision of HES. This raises several questions for RC36. For example, does an HES determine the measures to be taken for fostering societal development, or does society and the market dictate the cultural and educational offerings of universities? Why are the social sciences and humanities losing their appeal in contemporary societies? What factors drive the standardization of knowledge and how do teachers define their research interests and disciplines? Do teachers world-wide still enjoy autonomy, or must they now strictly align their work with neo-liberal economic demands?
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Business Meeting SESSION #21994
RC36 Business Meeting
What do you have in mind that we could discuss?
Have you got any suggestions, projects, or plans for our Research Committee?
Please, write to isa-rc36@isa-sociology.org if you've got any point for discussion at our next BUSINESS MEETING during ISA World Forum Rabat 2025!
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