Conflict Social Action and Change Division.

Society for the Study of Social Problems.

CSAC Division Meeting Minutes.
Website: https://www.sssp1.org/index.cfm/pageId/1353/m/464.
Email: csac.sssp@gmail.com.



Date: August 09, 2025.

Time: 10:30a.m. – 12:30p.m. CST.

Location: Grant Parlor Room, Palmer House, Chicago.



Attendees: C Michael Awsumb, Sara Tehrani, Diana Therese Veloso, Andrew C. Schueneman, Brandon Saucedo Pita.



1. Greetings and Welcome. Awsumb welcomes everyone to the division meeting, introduced himself as the out-going Chair and introduced Sara Tehrani as the in-coming Chair. Awsumb reviewed the plan for the meeting, requests everyone one sign-in, and opens the floor for introductions.


2. Introductions. Attendees each introduce themselves, sharing a little about their work, their connection to the division, and their interests for the future of the division.


3. Purpose of Divisions. Questions and requests during introductions prompted a discussion on the purpose of and contributions divisions in SSSP can make. Discussion reviewed the roles divisions play (a) organizing and coordinating a community of scholars with shared interest and identity around an area of study on social problems, which can include many things, among them a newsletter, (b) proposing and organizing sessions in the annual meetings, (c) organizing and awarding awards for division members, (d) manage a small annual budget for the division, and (e) a range additional possibilities, such as programing (e.g., workshops, virtual events), awards (e.g., service, junior scholar, activist, book, etc.), networking (e.g., social media, writing groups, etc.).  


4. Conflict Social Action and Change Division (CSACD). Discussion turned to a more specific discussion on CSACD. Awsumb provided an overview of CSACD membership, 2025 Spring/Summer newsletter delays, CSACD sessions in the 2025 Annual Meeting, the 2025 Graduate Student Paper Award winner, the failed, for insufficient committee reviewers, attempt for a 2025 Outstanding Article Award, which should nonetheless continue, as it is strongly is desired and requested  by members (and we might consider additional awards and recognition). Awsumb also discuss the CSACD budget, on-going review of CSACD sponsored and co-sponsored sessions and papers in those sessions. 


5. Division Reorganization and SSSP Financial Challenges. Awsumb’s review of CSACD business and activities turned to a discussion on the on-going division reorganization efforts, membership survey, participation on Council of Division Chairs Taskforce, and financial challenges faced by SSSP. A review of the Council of Division Chairs initiative to explore solutions, including reorganization and consolidation of divisions going back to the 2023 Council meetings was provided. A summary of Awsumb’s work as a member of one of the two 2025 Taskforces on division reorganization was provided. A review of key findings about CSACD from the SSSP 2025 Member Survey was provided. In sum, Awsumb provided CSACD is in a solid, if not still worthy of improvement, position within SSSP, and CSACD: (a) is one of the larger-medium-sized divisions, (b)is stable, even if declining as all divisions are, in members, (c) is turning towards a younger membership in the division, (d) is among the top-half of divisions in which SSSP members identify as their primary membership, (e) is not preferred by members as a division which should consolidate or close, (f) is preferred by members as a division which should remain as is, (g) is consistently strong in sponsoring, co-sponsoring, and soliciting sessions and papers for the annual meeting, (h) is well aligned with the interests and mission of current SSSP members, (i) is the division the division focused explicitly on the power and politics of social problems – their causes and their change.


6. Programing for Division Engagement. Discussion among the group turned to future activities and interests. With the facilitation and direction of Tehrani, members discussed their interest and ideas for programming and engagement apart from the annual meeting through various options, including social media, email, Zoom workshops, writing groups, regional meetups, meet-ups at other conferences, etc. A central point of discussion was how best to communicate with members and facilitate this engagement; various options were discussed with some less favored (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, newsletters) than others (e.g., Discord, new social media apps, emails, group chat). Discussion culminated with Tehrani’s intention to follow-up with present members and work on new means of communication and outreach.


7. CSACD Awards. Awsumb raised the question of whether to continue to hold the Outstanding Article Award for 2026. This was supported by the group.


8. 2026 Annual Meeting – CSACD Session Proposals. Awsumb and Tehrani solicited and discussed ideas for potential sessions (e.g., indigenous peoples, agendas for justice, futurism, conflict and action for change, advocacy, organizing, resistance).


9. Recap on Action Items. Awsumb and Tehrani solicited any further questions or thoughts. Tehrani recapped action items with the group. Awsumb recommended Tehrani act on initiatives fitting the division mission at will; ask for feedback for those which address mission or resources. Awsumb recommends organizing necessary help (e.g., award committees, volunteers) for projects which require them before trying to get up and going. 


10. Adjourn.