Research Committees

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Established in 1992

Objectives

The aims of the RC46 are: to advance knowledge in all areas of clinical sociology throughout the world; to provide a common meeting ground for clinical sociologists and others interested in clinical sociological knowledge; to encourage international cooperation in clinical sociology research; to promote training and educational opportunities to further the development of clinical sociology; to develop bonds with other disciplines and other specializations in sociology.

Defining clinical sociology…

Clinical sociology is a creative, humanistic and interdisciplinary specialization that seeks to improve the quality of people’s lives. Clinical sociologists work with client systems to assess situations and avoid, reduce or eliminate problems through a combination of analysis and intervention.

Clinical analysis is the critical assessment of beliefs, policies, or practices, with an interest in improving the situation.

Intervention is based on continuing analysis; it is the creation of new systems as well as the change of existing systems and can include a focus on prevention or promotion (e.g., preventing environmental racism or promoting community sustainability).

Clinical sociologists are employed, for instance, as managers, consultants, organizational development specialists, professors (scholar-practitioners), mediators, policymakers, counsellors and therapists.  Clinical sociologists conduct many kinds of research including needs assessments and evaluations.

Board 2023 - 2027

Awards

Award Guidelines are available in English and French.

Publications

The Clinical Sociology Review (CSR) is the official journal of ISA RC46, published by UJ Press at https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/csr as an open-access journal of the ISA RC46 and the Department of Sociology at the University of Johannesburg. It solicits historical pieces, research/intervention articles, and resources (e.g., program, course, certification, accreditation descriptions, book or film reviews) related to the interdisciplinary field of clinical sociology.

Previously, it was the official journal of the Clinical Sociology Association, published in 16 volumes from 1982 to 1998. These past volumes are available at https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/csr/.

Membership

See the Table of Economies to identify the category of the economy of your country.

To become a member, submit a membership application from your user account: https://members.isa-sociology.org/login

Newsletter

Editor: Tina UYS, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, tuys@uj.ac.za