The first RC02’s pre-Congress early career sociologist workshop took place on June 24, 2023, the day before the opening of the XXth ISA World Congress of Sociology (June 25 – July 1, 2023) at the Crown Conference Centre, Melborune. 

The goal of the workshop was to invite like-minded economic sociology PhD students and postdocs from across different regions to present their latest research on the sociology of economic activities (broadly defined) and to provide opportunities for participants to receive feedback from their peers and senior colleagues. The other purpose of the workshop was to create a supportive and durable international network among early career economic sociologists and to dialogue with scholars of different generations and orientations, as well as to serve as an introduction to ISA RC02 and ISA. 

Since the workshop was for only one day, just 10 applicants were chosen to present on a topic relevant to RC02’s research areas (see image below).

The day began with a seminar on publishing, “Getting into Print,” presented by David Fasenfest, the editor of Critical Sociology. Dr. Fasenfest dealt with the logistics and hands-on experience of publication from writing to submission, to the review and revision processes from the perspective of journal editors and explained the reasons behind them. From numerous similar seminars I have attended, I must say that this was one of the most informative for gaining insights about how reviewers and journal editors understand getting manuscripts into print. 

The workshop then continued with 10-minute presentations of each participant’s paper, followed by detailed feedback from the faculty mentors, and peer discussion. The papers were paired into 5 sessions based on a preliminary reading of the abstracts. This pairing turned out to be a great fit, and the themes identified helped to facilitate discussion and comparison of the cases. Most participants concurred that this format yielded very productive feedback on their work. One thing that struck all the faculty mentors was the preparedness and commitment of the participants. Not only did they put great effort into their presentations, but they had also read each other’s papers thoroughly in advance and actively participated in giving peer feedback. The exchanges in the workshop as well as the topics and affiliations of the participants reflected the geographical and thematic diversity of a truly global sociology at its best. 

The workshop concluded with sharing of experience and advice by the participants. Potential publication venues and strategies were also explored. The day ended with a dinner at the Bangpop Restaurant (Thai) on South Wharf Promenade. It was a memorable evening and a great way to start off the ISA World Congress. A new peer community of early career sociologists was formed in which discussions flourished in the seminar room, carried on during the break time, lingered in the corridors, continued into dinner, and contributed to everyone’s benefit in the World Congress.

As the chief organizer of the workshop, I would like to take the opportunity to give my deepest appreciation to the other faculty mentors of the workshop: David Fasenfast, Heidi Gottfried, Sanjeev Routray, and Karen Shire for taking part in the workshop and spending the day with the participants. Thanks also go to the other program committee members: Nadya Araujo Guimarãe, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil, and Sanjeev Routray, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei, for reviewing the applications and finalizing the program. Special thanks also go to Aaron Pitluck and Julia Tomassetti for finding the wonderful restaurant and coordinating the logistics. Lastly and most importantly, huge thanks go to Aaron Pitluck (RC02 President, 2018-2023), who found grants to support the workshop and the dinner, made sure that this was going to happen from day one of the planning, secured the venue of the workshop, and for greeting the group with opening remarks. 

Here is a comment from the feedback of one of the participants: “It was very informative and useful to me and others. The care and dedication from everybody involved were inspiring and constructive. I think it was a great initiative and something RC02 should continue to do in the future.

To conclude, from the experience of this workshop, I would highly recommend a pre-congress workshop for early career sociologists to become a tradition of RC02 to support the new generation of scholars in the Economy and Society section and to encourage and broaden their participation in RC02.