$#*! Sociologists Say: e-Public Sociology on Twitter

Christopher J. Schneider

doi:10.18778/1733-8077.13.2.03

Authors

Christopher J. Schneider Brandon University, Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/1733-8077.13.2.03

Keywords:

Public Sociology, e-Public Sociology, Twitter, Social Media, Qualitative Media Analysis

Abstract

This paper explores how individuals who self-identify on Twitter as sociologists holding teaching posts at institutions of higher education use the popular micro-blogging social media site. A total of 152,977 tweets from profiles of 130 sociologists were collected and examined using qualitative media analysis. What emerged from these data was an empirical case for an expanded conceptualization of Burawoy’s vision of public sociology. Building upon published research (Schneider and Simonetto 2016), the purpose of this conceptually informed paper is to further empirically develop e-public sociology – a form of public sociology that emerges through use of social media whereby the sociologist can simultaneously be the generator and interlocutor of dialogue with multiple publics. Suggestions for future research are noted.

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Author Biography

Christopher J. Schneider, Brandon University, Canada

Christopher J. Schneider is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Brandon University in Manitoba, Canada. Schneider’s current research and publications focus on information technologies and related changes to police work. His recent book is Policing and Social Media: Social Control in an Era of New Media (Lexington Books | Rowman & Littlefield, 2016).

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