2024 junior theorists symposium call for papers

SUBMIT YOUR PRÉCIS HERE

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: March 22nd, 11:59pm Eastern Time

The 18th Junior Theorists Symposium (JTS) is now open to new submissions. The JTS is a conference featuring the work of emerging sociologists engaged in theoretical work, broadly defined. Sponsored in part by the Theory Section of the ASA, the conference has provided a platform for the work of early-career sociologists since 2005. We especially welcome submissions that broaden the practice of theory beyond its traditional themes, topics, and disciplinary function.

guest post: some reflections on theory and society

The following is a guest post by Musa al-Gharbi.

In recent weeks, there has been significant turmoil around the journal Theory and Society. The previous editorial board has resigned en masse. A new set of lead editors was brought in. The journal is poised to relaunch with a new mission statement to accompany the new editorial board.

I am one of the scholars who joined that board. While reading about the controversy around the journal in recent days, I encountered Dan Hirschman’s post on scatterplot that included a handful of questions he’d like to have the new editorial board members answer.

I admire Hirschman and his work, and I think the questions are reasonable, and they present a good opportunity to reflect on the direction of the journal and the field more broadly – so I fired off some responses below.

Although it will probably be obvious as people read this, I should say at the outset that I did not consult at all with Springer, the new lead editors, or other members of the new editorial board in answering these questions. I’m speaking for and as myself alone and can’t speak meaningfully about how representative my answers are with respect to the rest of the board or other stakeholders.

guest post: springer nature response on t&s

The following is a press release from Springer, the publisher of Theory & Society. It was written for Retraction Watch (which is covering the story) and also shared with me.

they work hard for the money

The following is a guest post by Juan Pablo Pardo-Guerra.

What do market incentives do to the structure and content of knowledge? Over the past few years, I have reflected on this question in various ways, both personally and professionally. Sometimes, they alter the distribution of power within our organizations. Sometimes, they indirectly shape the course of our careers. Sometimes they alter the mechanics of how knowledge is produced and disseminated. This last path is particularly relevant today, as editorial infrastructures fall under the increasing control of a small number of for-profit publishers.

This is what, I believe, sits at the crux of the recent changes to Theory & Society, a storied journal that offered a visible and respected venue for social theory.

questions for the new theory & society editorial board

Late last month, the senior editors of the journal Theory & Society announced their collective resignation. Springer, which owns the journal, had decided to replace the existing editor-in-chief and take the journal in a new direction without consulting the existing editorial team. These resignations were soon followed (on January 4th) by the resignations of the rest of the editorial board (the corresponding editors). The full text of both resignation letters is below.

The new editors-in-chief were then announced and recently posted a statement of goals which might be politely described as “controversial” and, at a minimum, very counter to the prior focus of the journal.

Today, the new editorial board was listed on the journal’s website. The timing suggests that this editorial board had already been recruited before the prior editorial team had resigned en masse. This timeline also raises the question of how much the incoming editorial board members knew and when. I would like to invite any of the incoming editorial board to speak to the process by which this transition (takeover?) occurred. Specifically, I would like to invite them to answer the following questions:

1. When were you asked to serve on the new editorial board? What was the pitch you were given when you were asked?

2. Did you the know the previous editorial board was not consulted about the change in editors?

3. Do you stand behind the statement of goals released by the new editors?

4. Given the way the transition happened, do you intend to stay on the board?