Testimonials

‘I took advantage of the reduced membership rate for PhD students and have been a BSA member ever since. In research it is all too easy to develop a restricted view as our focus is directed by the particularities of present projects. It can also be an isolating line of work. Being a BSA member can alleviate the potential for realising these outcomes of academic life. It helps me to step back and see myself as being within a community of sociologists conducting important and interesting research in varied domains. It also offers plenty of opportunities to meet and engage with others at events and conferences throughout the year.’
Dr Oli Williams PhD
Research Associate
Social Science Applied to Healthcare Improvement Research (SAPPHIRE) Group, University of Leicester

'As we are signed up to the Undergraduate Concessionary Rate with the BSA Membership to the BSA is free for students taking the 'Sociology' or 'Sociology and Criminology' degree at Coventry University. At Coventry, we find that membership to the BSA provides our students with up to date research which helps to develop their sociological imaginations. It is also a key resource which supports both our curriculum and our students’ own independent research. Importantly, membership enables our students to be a part of the premier network of sociologists in the UK.'
Dr Paul Ian Campbell
Course Director Sociology and Sociology and Criminology
Joint Winner of the BSA Philip Abrams Memorial Prize (2017)
Coventry University

‘Being a member of the BSA throughout the past 35 years has strengthened my identification with my profession. It's good to be reminded that one is part of a bigger and like-minded community - this is particularly important, given recent political and social developments that affect higher education and touch upon the way in which sociology is perceived.

BSA membership offers unrivalled networking opportunities and, through the wide range of activities and roles involved, allows individuals and interest groups to have a real influence on the association and the healthily-burgeoning interests and expertise encompassed by the diverse and lively profession.  Membership confers obvious individual benefits, such as reduced fees for conferences and seminars, subsidised places, free journals, and access to a valuable range of resources for teaching and research.  Above and beyond this, it allows for sociologists working in diverse fields to come together and reaffirm their shared enthusiasms and theoretical debates.’
Professor Rose Barbour
Visiting Formal Academic Emeritus Professor
Faculty of Wellbeing, Education & Language Studies, School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, The Open University

‘The BSA membership has opened up a world of opportunities and resources. Not only am I able to represent early career researchers as forum convenor, but I also have access to the most recent research and a community of critical scholars.’
Dr Anna Tarrant
Senior Lecturer in Sociology/Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellow
University of Lincoln

‘I have been a BSA member for most of my academic career and it is a key way to stay in touch with what is going on within our discipline of sociology.  The events that the Association offers are varied but always worthwhile attending, and the opportunity to meet colleagues is invaluable, whether one is a sociologist in a university or beyond academia.’
Professor Nick J Fox
Honorary Professor of Sociology and Co-convenor of the BSA Sociologists outside Academia Group
University of Sheffield

'I have been a BSA member since starting my PhD in Sociology in 2006, and have benefited hugely from membership in different ways over the years. My first peer-reviewed publication was in the BSA's flagship journal, Sociology - and I was encouraged to submit after attending a workshop with the editors at an Annual conference. I've been supported financially to attend the main conference and the Medical Sociology Group conference, both as a postgraduate researcher, and later as a postdoc. Special interest and study groups such as 'MedSoc' are especially helpful in providing fora for focused, subject specific activity and the development of intellectually stimulating, welcoming networks.'
Dr Amy Chandler
Chancellor's Fellow in Health, through Arts, Design and Humanities
Joint Winner of the BSA Philip Abrams Memorial Prize (2017)
School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh

'The importance of the BSA is that it provides a focal point for sociologists to meet, discuss ideas and collaborate. The success of sociology is that it is everywhere - and sociologists are in many varied departments. Our professional association ensures we retain our disciplinary core and success for the future.'
Dr Mark Doidge
Senior Research Fellow
Sport and Service Management, University of Brighton

‘As a sociologist who works outside of a sociology department membership of the BSA supports my identity as a sociologist through access to current debates via publications and attendance at a range of BSA supported events.’
Dr Fiona Stevenson
Reader in Medical Sociology
Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London (UCL) 

‘BSA membership has been extremely helpful for me, for meeting people in my field, for discussing and developing ideas, and generally as a home for research activities. Other BSA members have always been supportive, welcoming and interested, and I have found many friends as well as colleagues within the organisation. BSA activities, particularly, the annual conference, were crucial during my time as a budding researcher, and continue to be wonderful forums providing support and opportunities as I continue with my academic career.’
Dr Jonathan Preminger
Lecturer
Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University