Public sociology, social justice and struggles in the era of austerity-and-crises

Abstract

This article examines the potential for dialogic engagement between the academic disciplines of sociology and social work, on the one hand, and political/social struggles for equality and social justice, on the other. Particular strands of sociology engage with, connect to and articulate struggles of marginalised, oppressed or exploited communities. The article draws on global debates to examine the potential for a public sociology of social justice and equality, which is intimately connected to social work. It illustrates how knowledge from struggles and what is labelled as mobile commons can and must inform sociology, social work and emancipatory praxis.