Founded in 1951, the Society for the Study of Social Problems (SSSP) promotes research on and serious examination of problems of social life. The SSSP works to solve these problems and to develop informed social policy. As a member, you will find peers and colleagues working together to develop and apply research which makes a difference.

Scholars at Risk

SSSP is proud to be part of the Scholars at Risk (SAR) Network. SAR is an international network of institutions and individuals whose mission it is to protect scholars and promote academic freedom.

They are currently working with over 70 scholars seeking placements within the network, including many scholars of sociology. If you believe your institution or research center may be in a position to host a scholar, please reach out and ask them to consider joining SAR and thereby help protect academic freedom. You can learn more about information for scholars currently at risk here or fill out this Google form to explore hosting opportunities.

AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition

Human Rights

The Society for the Study of Social Problems recognizes the connections between human rights and the education enterprise, from the right of education researchers and other scholars to conduct their work without fear of harassment or intimidation to the human right to available, accessible, affordable scientific knowledge of quality and the benefits of scientific progress, with a particular focus on vulnerable populations, as affirmed in the Council approved Statement on Human Rights (2013). 

SSSP and AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition

The Society for the Study of Social Problems is a member of the AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition, a network of scientific, engineering and health membership organizations that recognize the role of science and scientists in the promotion and protection of human rights. The Coalition is devoted to the following:

(1) Bridge-Building and Coordinating: both within the scientific community – among scientific associations and across disciplines – and between the scientific and human rights communities; and

(2) Education and Capacity-Building, within scientific associations and within the human rights community.

The SSSP’s membership of the Coalition creates multiple opportunities for leadership, engagement and participation in efforts at the intersections of science, technology and human rights.

  • Meetings: The Coalition meets in Washington, DC in January and July. These meetings provide an opportunity to learn about and engage in robust discussions about contemporary themes at the intersections of human rights, science and technology (e.g., climate change, water, big data), and to further the Coalition goals through project meetings, workshops, and leadership discussions. Meeting information, including video archives, is available here.

  • Projects: The Coalition is focused on getting work done, from building the capacity of human rights organizations to use scientific methods in their research, to developing teaching materials on human rights for STEM curricula, to bringing institutional change within member organizations. Current opportunities for involvement are presented on the Coalition website.

Representatives

The representatives of the SSSP to the Coalition are Dr. John Dale and Dr. Elroi J. Windsor. You are welcome to join the Coalition as an affiliated individual. To do so, please email the Coalition Secretariat.