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Research Clusters

Research Clusters bring together researchers, students, and practitioners working in the various substantive areas that make up Canadian sociology. They facilitate information-sharing, networking, academic community-building, and collaboration among those working in similar areas. Furthermore, they provide an avenue for making sociological knowledge available to media, policy-makers, communities, and non-governmental organizations.

Membership in the Canadian Sociological Association is not a requirement for cluster participation.  However, membership is required for those attending the annual Conference, or utilizing other services of the Association.

Don’t see a Research Cluster in your area? We invite CSA members to contact us for further information on forming a cluster.

Research Cluster Best Student Paper Awards

Visit the Conference section 'Preliminary Session List' to learn more about research cluster organized sessions.

 

• Animals in Society
  

  As sociologists, we see value in scholarship that goes beyond an anthropocentric understanding of Canadian society, one that includes the non- or other-than-human and pays particular attention to “the question of the animal”. The work of this RC is inclusive, anti-oppressive, and critical in nature. Working from an interdisciplinary perspective, we seek to expand current interpretations of societal structures and institutions, social norms, practices, policies, and relations that involve humans and other beings. The Animals in Society RC recognizes and respects that we are all animals in a shared society. Activities - Learn More Awards Conference Sessions Webinars Contact Rochelle Stevenson, Thompson Rivers University

• Applied and Community Engaged Sociology
  

  Applied sociology is the use of sociological theory, methods, skills and research in order to resolve particular issues in real-world settings. Community-engaged sociology takes into account the intersectional experiences of community members, organizations, researchers, and sociologists to work towards better understanding. This cluster is open to academic and non-academic members as well as anyone who is an applied or community-engaged sociologist or is interested in applied or community-engaged sociology. Our membership has quickly grown to over 100 members including researchers from academia, government, and non-profit organizations, independent researchers and consultants, students, and practitioners of sociology. Activities - Learn More Awards Conference Sessions Webinars Contact Ashley Berard, University of Victoria Facebook Linkedin

• Canadian Network in Durkheimian Studies
  

  Canadian Network of Durkheimian Studies/Réseau canadien d’études durkheimienne The creation of CNDS/RCED was stimulated by longstanding collaborative Durkheimian research in Canada and the desire to institutionalise this activity. The initial objectives of the Network are to: encourage broad-based Durkheimian sociological research (theoretical and empirical); further studies of the history and development of Durkheimian social science; provide a venue for dialogue, exchange and collaboration; share resources for teaching Durkheimian sociology; and coordinate broader research programmes. Activities - Learn More Conference Sessions Resources Contact

• Comparative and Historical Sociology
  

  The CHSRC welcomes comparative, historical, and comparative-historical researchers. Scholars within the comparative and historical research traditions have been extremely influential within both sociology and the social sciences more broadly, and this cluster seeks to increase communication and networking among scholars in an effort to build a stronger research community among comparative and historical researchers in Canada. Activities Awards Conference Sessions Contact Guillaume Durou, University of Alberta

• Criminology and Law
  

  This research cluster in seeks to promote research and professional activities in the area of criminology, broadly construed. This cluster brings together scholars and professionals in the areas of crime, punishment, law, criminal justice, regulation, and policy. Researchers in sociology, criminology, law, and professionals from Canada and elsewhere will find a platform that promotes dialogue, networking, and the meaningful exchange of research and pedagogy in the field. Activities Awards Conference Sessions Contact Nathan Innocente, University of Toronto Facebook Twitter Facebook Linkedin

• Critical Sociology of Families, Work, and Care
  

  This research cluster brings together scholars who approach the sociological study of families, work, and care from critical feminist perspectives. Our work problematizes conventional understandings of “family” and extends this expanded view of families to critical research on meanings, practices, and policies of work and care. We envisage the cluster as an opportunity to network, share research and teaching information, and a means to highlight members’ research through coordinated CSA conference sessions. In addition to coordinating CSA sessions, we offer a list-serv for members to share information, resources, and opportunities. Activities Conference Sessions Contact Amber Gazso, University of the Fraser Valley List-serv - New

• Economic Sociology
  

  The Economic Sociology Research Cluster looks to connect those working in economic sociology and political economy. Based within the CSA, this cluster aims to provide a platform for researchers working in Canada and beyond to discuss their work on various elements of economic sociology and political economy. Themes addressed within this cluster include: the crisis and resilience of capitalism, contemporary finance, risk, and crisis, recent shifts in economic inequalities and class relations, as well as various aspects of potential and actual moral economies, the emerging digital economy, and the dynamics of global capitalism. Activities Awards Conference Sessions Contact Dean Curran, University of Calgary

• Environmental Sociology
  

  Environmental sociology is concerned with the varied relationships between societies and their environments. Canadian research on environment and society has focused on, but is not limited to: the social dimensions of natural resource use and conflicts, global climate change, environmental health risks, environmental values, environmental movements, gender and the environment, media representations of nature, the social justice implications of the allocation of environmental resources and hazards, and political decision-making related to the environment. The main role of the Cluster website is to provide information to a varied audience including academics, students, the media, policymakers, and non-governmental organizations. Activities - Learn More Award Conference Sessions Member Profiles Resources Contacts Lisa Seiler, York University Tyler Bateman, University of Toronto Follow us on Twitter Join us on Discord

• Fat Studies
  

  The objective of the Fat Studies Research Cluster is to cultivate a community of sociologists who work or are interested in the field of fat studies. This space is committed to advancing the field of fat studies in Canada and globally. The Fat Studies Research Cluster will provide a space for sociologists engaging in critical research around weight, bodies, stigma, ‘health’, and social justice. Beyond these themes, research in the field utilizes social theory to explore intersectional experiences and representations of fatness across space(s) and time. As a research cluster we aim to build a sense of collegiality and engage in collaborative research to widen the scope of the field in Canada. The incorporation of fat studies as a sub-area of the Canadian Sociological Association will ultimately provide sociologists the opportunity to establish a network and ‘home’ for the theorizing of fat standpoint, expansion of research methods, and overall emancipatory project of fat liberation both in the Canadian context and abroad. Activities Conference Sessions Contact Kelsey Ioannoni, Wilfrid Laurier University Ramanpreet A. Bahra, Wilfrid Laurier University

• Feminist Sociology
  

  We provide both a communications hub and meeting places for feminists within sociology to share ideas and research, to discuss common concerns within the discipline and also to converse with feminists across disciplinary lines. Activities Awards Conference Sessions Contact Sonia D'Angelo, Wilfrid Laurier University Linda Christiansen-Ruffman, Saint Mary’s University Ronnie Joy Leah, Athabasca University Rashmee Karnad-Jani, Public Scholar Sign up to receive news

• Gender and Sexuality
  

  The Sociology of Gender and Sexuality are among the most significant and exciting fields in contemporary sociological research and thought. The purpose of this research cluster is to promote research, teaching and other professional activities on the organized patterns of gendered social relations and sexuality. Research on gender and sexuality as social facts motivates much of the most exciting scholarship in this area, including studying the ways that these articulate with race and class, and play out across substantive dimensions of social and cultural life. Activities Conference Sessions Contact Christopher Tatham, University of Guelph Toby Anne Finlay, York University

• Indigenous-Settler Relations and Decolonization
  

  We seek to connect sociologists, other academics, activists, artists, and others who are engaged in the study of Indigenous-settler relations and/or the struggle for decolonization. In particular, this cluster provides an opportunity for us to share information, ideas, and resources, and to facilitate planning for Congress each year. Activities - Learn More Conference Sessions Resources Webinars Contact Kerry Bailey, University of Saskatchewan and McMaster University

• Internet, Technology and Digital Sociology
  

  The ITDS research cluster aims to bring together sociologists who are interested in the diverse social implications of the Internet and technology, broadly defined. We welcome members with all methodological and theoretical orientations who do research and/or teach on a wide range of topics in which technology intersects with other areas of the discipline. Our goal is to provide opportunities for like-minded CSA members and non-members to connect, network, and promote the advancement of this scholarly area within Canadian sociology. Activities - Learn More Conference Sessions Member Profiles Resources Webinars Contact Andrew D. Nevin, University of Guelph Michael Adorjan, University of Calgary Anabel Quan-Haase, Western University Social Media: Facebook Twitter

• Political Sociology and Social Movements
  

  The Political Sociology and Social Movements (PSSM) research cluster was established to connect a diverse group of Canadian scholars examining questions of power, state formation, civil society, and social movements across local, national and international scales. PSSM members organize sessions at the Canadian Sociological Association’s Annual Conference. Activities - Learn More Awards Conference Sessions Member Profiles Resources Contact Marie-Lise Drapeau-Bisson, Carleton University Omar Faruque, University of New Brunswick Fredericton Sign up for our mailing list!

• Race and Ethnicity
  

  Welcome to the Race and Ethnicity Research Cluster for CSA. This research cluster aims to connect, network and promote dialogue, ideas, research, and action among professional and public sociologists in the field. It provides an opportunity to emphasize all aspects of race, ethnicity, ethno-racialization, and racisms in a Canadian context compared to broader international contextual experiences. While exploring the intersectional attributes of race and ethnicity, including class, gender, sexualities, religion, and immigration status, members of the cluster will consider the social outcomes of racist ideologies and structures. If you are interested in being involved, don't hesitate to get in touch with the cluster chair. We welcome your participation in continuing to build the Race and Ethnicity Research Cluster. Activities - Learn More Conference Sessions Resources Webinars Contact Jamilah Dei-Sharpe, Concordia University Secil Ertorer, Canisius College

• Relational Sociology
  

  Relational sociology encompasses theoretical and methodological approaches that examine social phenomena in terms of relations. Modestly, this means studying networks or fields or specific relationships; more ambitiously, it extends to abolishing subject-object and nature-society dualisms and exploring relationality in ontology, epistemology, ethics, and politics. We want to build a network of relational thinkers in sociology and other related disciplines. Our goals also include the encouragement and diffusion of relational sociology in Canada and abroad, the sharing of news and related events to relational sociology, the compilation of a thematic bibliography on relational sociology. Throughout the year we offer ongoing international webinars and workshops on relationism. Activities - Learn More Conference Sessions Member Profiles Resources Webinars Contact Mónica J. Sánchez-Flores, Thompson Rivers University Christopher Powell, Toronto Metropolitan University

• Rural Sociology
  

  Sociologists working in this field study rural communities and their way of life. The purpose of this research cluster is to support and publicize the work of researchers whose interests encompass rural sociology. Activities - Learn More Conference Sessions Member Profiles Resources Contact Jennifer Jarman, Lakehead University

• Social Networks
  

  This cluster supports and promotes social networks research. We welcome sociologists of all stripes who are conducting methodological, theoretical, or substantive work related to social networks and social capital. Activities  Conference Sessions Contact Rochelle Côté, Memorial University John McLevey, University of Waterloo

• Social Policy and Social Equality
  

  The social policy and social equality research cluster was formed to connect scholars in the fields of social policy, social equality, social welfare and social stratification across Canada and internationally for scholarship excellence. Activities - Learn More Awards Conference Sessions Resources Contact Ivanka Knezevic, University of Toronto Xavier St-Denis, INRS Join our mailing list

• Social Theory
  

  Social theory is a broad field. To grapple with theoretical questions sociologists may draw on cultural theory, anthropology, psychology, politics, economics, philosophy, mathematics, or even the natural sciences. Theoretical work may interrogate how specific theories can be applied to empirical research; construct, critique, or revise interpretive accounts or structural models of particular social phenomena; wrestle with meta-theoretical questions in ontology and epistemology; or do all of these at once. This research cluster aims to bring together sociologists who identify as theorists, whose work engages with theoretical questions, or who simply care passionately about the future of social theory in Canada. Activities Conference Sessions Webinars Contact Chair: Tara Milbrandt, University of Alberta ListServ Manager: Mervyn Horgan, University of Guelph Facebook Twitter

• Sociology of Childhood and Youth
  

  Our aim is to foster, and encourage dialogue between, Canadian scholars interested in the sociology of children, childhood and youth, with a particular focus on scholarship prioritizing the experiences and perspectives of young people within broader social structures and inequalities. Activities - Learn More Conference Sessions Webinars Contact Hunter Knight, Western University Rebecca Raby, Brock University Twitter

• Sociology of Culture
  

  The research cluster will provide an institutional base within the CSA for this growing area of research, help co-ordinate Sociology of Culture panels at the annual conference of the CSA, and reach out to scholars working in related fields and disciplines. We have established a mailing list to connect cultural sociologists in Canada and abroad, and to aid in the dissemination of research within the scholarly community. Activities Awards Conference Sessions Contact Sonia Bookman, University of Manitoba Taylor Price, New York University Join our contact list

• Sociology of Development
  

  The objectives of the Cluster are to promote sociology of development in Canada, to bring together scholars from all perspectives who share an interest in the sociological study of development (broadly defined), and to make linkages to sociologists doing similar work outside of Canada. The cluster organizes a regular set of panels on the sociology of development at the CSA meetings, maintains a listserv, and liaises with other groups working on development issues and research. Activities Awards Conference Sessions Contact Jasmin Hristov, University of Guelph

• Sociology of Disability
  

  The Sociology of Disability covers a number of methodological approaches to understanding disability. Research in this area spans many fields and topics, including medicine, sexuality, education, and a wide range of others. This cluster is open to current members and those interested in learning more about sociologies of disability. Attendees will have an opportunity to network with graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, and community researchers working in this field of research and teaching. We welcome feedback on our current activities and encourage suggestions for future initiatives. Activities Awards Conference Sessions Webinars February 7, 2025- Exploring the Politics of Time, Disability, and Collective Accountability in Academe Contact Chris Churchill, University of Lethbridge Athena Athena Elafros, University of Lethbridge Join our contact list

• Sociology of Education
  

  Sociology of education covers a wide methodological, theoretical and conceptual terrain. While research in this area is most associated with examinations of schools, inequality, policy and economic development, this scholarship intersects with a variety of research including studies of early child development, parenting, childhood and adolescence, and health. This research cluster will serve to enhance dialogue and networking among sociologists of education in Canada. Activities - Learn More Awards Conference Sessions Member Profiles Webinars Contact Maria Brisbane, University of Waterloo Twitter

• Sociology of Health
  

  The Sociology of Health Research Cluster aims to connect scholars from Canada and abroad who work or have interest in health research. The cluster’s main goals are to foster a sense of community and information sharing among scholars and, for those who are interested, to extend this knowledge base to the media and policy makers where possible. Activities - Learn More Awards Conference Sessions Member Profiles Contact Claudia Chaufan, York University Join our contact list

• Sociology of Housing
  

  Housing is a central facet of social life and as such is rife with opportunities to understand the social world, including questions around inequity, accessibility and policy. The objective of this research cluster is to create a conversation about housing from a Sociological perspective that includes practitioners, researchers, students and research centres. This research cluster will provide a platform to share knowledge from and opportunities for research, teaching, policy, and practice. Activities Conference Sessions Contact Katie MacDonald, Athabasca University

• Sociology of Knowledge
  

  The Sociology of Knowledge research cluster aims to bring together social science scholars with broad interests in the study of knowledge. We advocate an expansive view of knowledge, encompassing all representations of reality and social life, including organizational knowledge, historical knowledge, Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledges, as well as practical, tacit, or embodied forms of knowledge, along with all manner of beliefs, myths, facts, customs, routines, identities, and more. We are interested in remembering and reviving classic theories of knowledge, such as phenomenology, social constructionism, ethnomethodology, and feminist work on epistemology. We also wish to prioritize the use of knowledge as a lens for examining other sub-fields and empirical subjects in sociology, including race, gender, sexuality, labour, education, and many others. The Sociology of Knowledge cluster seeks scholars pursuing growth, diversity, reciprocity, and meaning in their collegial relationships. We value fun, curiousity, creativity, and thoughtful reflection. Activities Conference Sessions Contact Lily Ivanova, University of British Columbia Anastasia Kulpa, University of Alberta Twitter

• Sociology of Mental Health
  

  The objective of the Canadian Sociological Association Mental Health cluster is to underscore the importance of research within the sub-discipline of mental health. The cluster will advance knowledge, pedagogy, and practice of Sociology of Mental Health on a global level by encouraging rigorous theoretical and methodological approaches to research in the area. Activities Awards Conference Sessions Contacts Ruth Repchuck, McMaster University Atsushi Narisada, Saint Mary's University Join our contact list

• Sociology of Migration
  

  Our mission is to cultivate a stimulating, diverse conversation that brings upcoming students, distinguished professors, independent researchers, and outstanding research institutes/centers from across Canada together to share insightful and policy-relevant developments. Lending one’s voice to this discussion not only allows for mutual inspiration, but an opportunity to form new friendships and professional contacts who share a common passion for uncovering the problems, solutions, and patterns that make up our current ‘Age of Migration.’ Activities - Learn More Awards Conference Sessions Resources Contact Submit your questions or to join our contact list

• South Asia
  

  The objective of this cluster is to promote and advance a wide range of scholarly work that focus on South Asia. The cluster aims to instigate conversations among researchers whose work explores issues around South Asian politics, history and culture, to name a few. It aims to provide opportunities for networking, mentorship, and the exchange of ideas for scholars working on this region. It seeks to expand the limits of sociological research on South Asia and thereby increase public knowledge, interest and, importantly, critical awareness about the region in the Canadian society, and by extension, within global academia. Activities Conference Sessions Contact Shreyashi Ganguly, York University Sign up to receive cluster news

• Teaching and Learning
  

  Teaching is a core scholarly activity for faculty, graduate students, and other professional sociologists yet there are few venues where concerned teachers can meet, practice, and learn from each other. The goal of this group is to exchange teaching-related information and resources, seek advice, facilitate communication between teaching enthusiasts across various institutions, and provide a point of contact between meetings. Furthermore, we seek to promote the value of teaching (including the supervision and mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students). Activities Conference Sessions Contact Silvia Bartolic, University of British Columbia Lindsey McKay, Thompson Rivers University Facebook Twitter

• Urban Sociology
  

  This cluster provides a platform for Canadian researchers working in the domain of urban sociology. We welcome sociologists whose work seeks to understand human interactions and institutions in urban areas both in Canada and globally. This includes research on topics that explore the various and interrelated dimensions of cultural, economic and social life in cities such as housing inequality, gentrification, race, gender and sexuality in the city, the changing nature of work in the sharing economy, and relationship between urban design and sociability. Embracing a variety of empirical, theoretical and methodological perspectives this new cluster will provide a space for both long-standing and emerging debates on the role of cities and urbanization in Canadian society. Activities - Learn More Conference Sessions Resources Contact Andrew Crosby, Carleton University Follow us on Twitter!

• Violence and Society
  

  Many argue that we live in a violent society. Indeed, people from all walks of life are subject to many forms of violence. We are bombarded daily with information and images that continually remind us about the potential threat of violence in our lives. Not surprisingly, then, violence continues to be a prominent individual, social, legal and political concern. It is recognized that violence is the result of the complex interplay of many factors and, as such, no one factor will adequately explain, for example, why some individuals behave violently toward others or why violence may be more prevalent in some communities or countries? In particular, understanding and explaining violence is an important part of sociology – both on its own and because it emerges in the study of many other social phenomena including social change, interpersonal relations, law and governance, just to name a few. This cluster continues to build a community of academics and researchers who examine various issues related to the sociological examination of violence. Activities Awards Conference Sessions Webinar   Contact Lily Ivanova, University of British Columbia Robert Nonomura, Western University Twitter

• Work, Professions and Occupations
  

  The cluster is intended to provide a community for scholars working in this field. We organize several sessions at the annual conference and connect many academics and community engaged scholars whose research falls into this broad area. Activities Awards Conference Sessions Contact Vivian Shalla, University of Guelph