Digital Sociology: New Theoretical Approaches, New Methodological Perspectives, New Research Areas

Category: Publication

The aim of the special issue of Sociological Studies is to explore emerging theoretical, methodological, and empirical directions in digital sociology. We propose approaching digitality simultaneously as a framework, tool, and subject of sociological analysis. The core question we aim to spark discussion around in this issue is: do we really need digital sociology as a new subdiscipline of sociology? Do we need an entirely new conceptual language and theoretical approaches, or can we once again rejuvenate classical concepts and traditional perspectives? We are interested both in contemporary theories and new theoretical directions in digital sociology, as well as in reflection on the methodological aspects of studying digitalization. Phenomena like deep mediatization, datafication, platformization, and algorithmization illustrate the complex connections between the economy, politics, and social interactions, where networks, platforms, data, algorithms, and automation play a central role. In this context, critical sociological analyses of technology, still underexplored in Polish sociology, become particularly significant. Amid rising social and political crises—ranging from the Covid-19 pandemic to Russia's invasion of Ukraine—and an accelerating digital transformation, the sociological field is evolving as social researchers address digitalization in relation to both new and classic social issues, including power, capital, social interactions, and the role of sociotechnical assemblages and non-human actors. We are also looking for articles that adopt a critical approach in digital sociology, encompassing reflective analyses of digital technologies and their social, economic, and political applications. Furthermore, we welcome analyses and case studies addressing issues of digital exclusion and social inequality. This special issue will also include case study analyses - Polish, international, or comparative—on digitalization across diverse areas such as politics, culture, economy, and civil society. The issue aims to highlight the thematic diversity associated with digitalization, addressing, among other things, issues of socio-cultural practices, processes, and power structures. We encourage submissions of articles related to the following topics; this list is not exhaustive. Contemporary theories in digital sociology, including critical data studies, concepts of deep mediatization, digital Actor-Network Theory (ANT), and digital science and technology studies (STS). Methodological reflections on research approaches in digital sociology, covering both qualitative methods, such as online interviews, digital ethnography, and controversy mapping, as well as quantitative and mixed methods, including data science, modeling, and network analysis. Case studies on digitalization, datafication, algorithmization, and platformization in a broad context. The impact of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, on key areas of social life such as the economy and work, power and politics, civil society, and social movements. Transformations in social interactions and cultural practices related to the digitalization of society. Digital exclusion, its definitions, and its social consequences. Digital sociology in the context of interdisciplinary studies and theoretical-methodological collaboration with other disciplines, such as data science, media studies, and digital humanities. Extended article abstracts (up to 1,000 words/6,000 characters) are accepted until December 20, 2024. Please send abstracts to invited editors (r.wloch@uw.edu.pl and b.slosarski@uw.edu.pl) and to “Studia Socjologiczne” (redakcja@studiasocjologiczne.pl). Upon acceptance of the abstract, we expect the full article submission by April 30, 2025. We accept articles in both Polish and English.

Initiator(s):
Bartosz Ślosarski , Renata Włoch

Deadline: 20.12.2024
Language(s): English, Polish
Publication-Type: Article / Journal

https://studiasocjologiczne.pl/p,482,call-for-papers.html

Post created by: Lymor Wolf Goldstein