On Monday 3 November, our A Level Sociology students attended the Sociology in Action conference in London. The conference featured several prestigious sociologists who were both engaging and thought-provoking. Among them was the renowned writer Ann Oakley, who presented a session on feminism and the impact of gender in the family.
There were also insightful talks by Dr Gemma Birkett on women in the criminal justice system, focusing on the types of crimes women commit, and this topic was further developed by Dr Rachel Seoighe, who introduced students to the issue of abolition.
Students were particularly intrigued by the statistics presented by Danny Dorling, who explored the extent of inequality in the UK today and in closing, Ellis Cashmore discussed the evolution of celebrity culture, the rise of social media and how these changes continue to shape the identities and experiences of young people today.
This conference provided students with valuable insights into real-world sociological research and debates, deepening their understanding of key topics such as gender, inequality and culture. The knowledge and perspectives gained will support them in their future studies by strengthening their ability to apply sociological theories to contemporary issues and to think critically about the world around them.
