19 August 2024

On 14–16 August 2024, over 150 sociologists from all over the world gathered in Norrköping to participate in the Nordic Sociological Association's 31st conference.

People networking at scientific conference in Sweden.
Photographer: Teiksma Buseva

The conference, which was well-attended, also attracted researchers from as far afield as Australia. This year's theme, "Sociology in a Digital World," focused on how the digital revolution has reshaped our ways of perceiving, communicating, and constructing our social realities.

Researcher presenting research.
Carl Nordlund.Teiksma Buseva

Carl Nordlund, Associate Professor at the Institute for Analytical Sociology at Linköping University, thinks that the conference exceeded expectations and run without major issues. He was especially happy with the volunteers in yellow shirts, who managed their tasks excellently, solved problems independently, and greatly contributed to the smooth running of the event.

"It has been a great pleasure to organise the conference and to see how well we worked together to accomplish the task," said Carl Nordlund.

Viktor Görefält, a student in the Master's program in Computational Social Science, attended the conference to gain inspiration and explore future career opportunities. He was enthusiastic about seeing how his education could develop and lead him forward. Viktor, who is starting his second year in the program, viewed the event as a chance to be surrounded by knowledgeable people and to use the tools he has acquired to analyse interesting areas in more depth.

Researcher presenting research.
Viktor Görefält.Teiksma Buseva

In addition to participating in the conference, Viktor also worked as a volunteer, helping with practical tasks such as ensuring that all participants had access to necessary materials, setting up food and coffee, and solving any problems that arose.

"I am here because I want to be inspired. I want to see where my education can lead me in the future," said Viktor Görefält.

Among the participants was David Bazan, a PhD student at Lund University, who attended because the theme aligned well with his research on TikTok and algorithms. His strategy was to attend sessions that seemed relevant and challenging, including those on emotions, which relate to his own research interests.

"I attended and listened to all the talks that seemed interesting, relatable, or challenging," said David Bazan.

The conference addressed a range of issues, such as the emergence of new forms of inequality in the digital age, the impact of online communities on social cohesion, the implications of artificial intelligence on labor markets, and the role of social media in identity formation and social movements. Researchers also discussed ethical challenges related to data collection and privacy.

Heta Tarkkala, a researcher at the University of Helsinki, participated in the conference due to its relevance to her research interests. She organised the session "Behind the Scenes of Digital Public Services" and was pleased with the practical aspects of the event, such as scheduling and refreshments.

"The practical arrangements for the conference have been really good — schedules and coffee have been well-managed," said Heta Tarkkala.

The conference provided a platform for fruitful discussions and the exchange of ideas, where traditional sociological theories met contemporary digital phenomena. Participants aimed to contribute to a deeper understanding of how society evolves in the digital age and reaffirmed the important role of sociology in interpreting and navigating this complex, connected world.

NSA 2024 Anthem

Opening ceremony of the Nordic Sociology Association Conference 2024
Opening ceremony of the Nordic Sociology Association Conference 2024 Photographer: Caroline Holm

'Nordic sociology!'

The official Nordic Sociology Association Conference anthem of 2024 was played during the opening ceremony and throughout the conference. The song was created with generative AI and aligned with the theme of the conference.

Outro:
Nordic sociology, Nordic sociology!
Voices rise in harmony, chanting 'Nordic sociology!'
Let the numbers light our way, 'Nordic sociology!'
In the wisdom we convey, 'Nordic sociology!'
One last time, loud and free, 'Nordic sociology!'

>> Listen to the full song here.

Nordic sociologists discuss the future of digital sociology

At a recent panel discussion at the Nordic Sociological Association (NSA) Conference, sociologists explored the evolving landscape of computational and digital sociology.

 

Five persons sitting on a stage and talking.
Teiksma Buseva

 

The panel, featuring Friedolin Merhout (University of Copenhagen), Andrea Voyer (Stockholm University), Karoliina Snell (University of Helsinki), and Simon Lingren (Umeå University), with Jacob Habinek (IAS) as moderator, opted for a conversational format over traditional presentations.

The panelists discussed their identities as sociologists, with varying degrees of alignment with the labels "computational" or "digital" sociologists. They shared their individual journeys and how they integrated computational or digital methods into their research, despite some initial hesitations or transitions from more traditional methods.

The panel discussion revealed a diversity of methodological backgrounds among the participants, but also significant overlap, particularly in their shared interest in culture and a certain level of "geekiness."

A common theme was the discomfort with adopting labels like "computational sociologist" or "digital sociologist." For some, like Karoliina Snell, adopting or discarding labels is a tactical decision based on the context and the message they want to convey. Andrea Voyer emphasised that while she finds the space of computational sociology exciting, the label is less important than the work itself. She noted that this space allows for innovative research that bridges the qualitative-quantitative divide. The panelists agreed that the label "digital sociologist" might be losing its value as society and research become increasingly digitised. They discussed whether this label represents a distinct strand of sociology or just a transitional phase. Some suggested that these labels could serve as boundary objects, flexible enough to accommodate diverse methodologies and perspectives within sociology.

The panel reviewed the current state of computational and digital sociology, noting its significant growth and integration into various sociological subfields, especially in the Nordic region. While celebrating its successes, they expressed concerns about the field's rapid expansion, including risks of losing its sociological focus and the ambiguity in defining computational sociology. Ethical issues, like taking data for granted and its broader implications, were also highlighted as areas needing more attention.

Overall, while computational sociology faces significant challenges, the opportunities for innovation, public engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration offer a promising path forward. The field's ability to adapt to changing data landscapes and to remain methodologically flexible will be key to its continued relevance and impact.

Some highlights from the conference sessions

Organisation

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