Conference marks special milestone for sociology at Essex

Leading sociologists came together for a special event at our Colchester Campus to celebrate 60 years of sociology at Essex and discuss current sociological challenges and opportunities.

Since its early beginnings as one of Essex’s nine founding departments in 1964, the Department of Sociology has become internationally renowned for its innovation, collaboration and global reach.

Now named the Department of Sociology and Criminology, it celebrated its 60th anniversary with a special conference which included several prominent speakers including Gary Younge, award-winning journalist and Professor of Sociology at the University of Manchester, and Professor Gurminder Bhambra, a past president of the British Sociological Association.

Among the guests was Colchester Labour MP Pam Cox, who was a professor within the Department before winning her seat at the General Election in July.

Head of the Department of Sociology and Criminology, Professor Linsey McGoey, said: “Our research has been at the cutting-edge of global sociology and criminology for six decades, and we were thrilled to mark that history through a major conference at Essex.

“In the most recent Research Excellence Framework, we were placed 1st in the UK for ‘research environment’ – a testament to the pioneering work of our academic staff and PhD students.

“One of the things we are most proud of with the 60th anniversary conference was the presence of our former PhD students giving talks. We’re delighted to see so many of our former students flourish in great universities across the world.”

Pictured, above, at the conference, are from left: Essex sociology graduate Oumie Baldeh, Colchester MP Pam Cox, Professor of Historical Sociology at University of Sussex Gurminder Bhambra and Head of  Essex's Department of Sociology and Criminology, Professor Linsey McGoey,