The Malta Sociology Conference 2024

The #MaltaSociologyConference will comprise 12 academic research presentations on Changing Spaces; Culture and Consumption; and Policy and Practice, followed by an open discussion.

A presentation about the new journal of the Sociology Department at the University of Malta - SociologyMT  - will also take place.

The conference is open to the general public. More details, including registration, from here

During the conference, Karl Agius and I will be presenting our research entitled 'Tourism and Urban Development: The case of a coastal village in a small island state". 

Interview about social media impacts

Thanks to Kyle Patrick Camilleri at The Malta Independent for an engaging interview about the possible impacts of social media: positive, negative, and unknown.

Read here

Lino Briguglio - No Man Is An Island Book Launch

"The story of the free-thinking, plain-talking, artist, teacher, politician, and world-renowned economist as told by one-hundred or so of his friends, family and colleagues."

Lino Briguglio - No Man is An Island, co-edited by Marie Briguglio and Michael Briguglio, will be launched in the upcoming Malta book fair. The book contains over 100 contributions by family, friends, and colleagues.

In this vibrant and colourful publication, many speak of Lino Briguglio as a free-thinker and a plain talker, as a passionate teacher and persevering researcher. Some bear testament to his bitter-sweet experience in politics. Others glimmer with anecdotes of his humour and playfulness, with references to his creativity and art. Together, they portray Lino as the embodiment of joie de vivre.

The book is not only a celebration of Lino, but also of his local and international networks, including the people who have contributed to this publication. In this social construction, dad’s life is interwoven with art, politics, economics, and island studies. It is a journey that spans across eight decades, during which he assumed a plurality of roles.

Most contributions in this book present Lino on the front stage of public life. But there is also the backstage of private life, forged within family life and friendships.

'Lino Briguglio - No Man Is An Island' is published by Kite and book signings will take place at the Book Fair (MFCC, Ta' Qali) on Friday 8 November between 6pm and 8pm, and on Sunday 10 November between 10am and 12pm.

The book can be pre-ordered here and will also be available at leading bookshops. For further details please contact the editors or Kite Group.

One to One - Season 2 - Updated Weekly

One To One, hosted by Prof Michael Briguglio, is broadcast on Campus 103.7. It covers social, political, environmental, and cultural topics, and guests are experts in their respective fields. The programmes are being made available in on-demand format.

Topics and guests for Season 2 (October-December 2024)

1. L-ippjanar tal-lokalitajiet - X'rwol għandu l-pubbliku? Wendy Jo Mifsud
2. Il-politika għandha tiġi mgħallma fl-iskejjel? Mario Thomas Vassallo
3. X'inhi d-differenza bejn defiċit u dejn pubbliku? Charmaine Portelli
4. Politika ibbażata fuq l-evidenza xi tkun? Marie Louise Mangion
(This list is updated every week)

Topics and guests for Season 1 (July-September 2024) - Click here

#Ħsibijiet (111): Judge first, analyze later

Public Sociology (and public academia) aims to bridge various gaps between the academic world and the social contexts in which we live. I think that this is a commendable, particularly if one is promoting evidence-based policy making. On the other hand, I am wary of snackable posts, particularly on the social media, which give a verdict on an issue/event literally minutes, if not seconds, after it happened. Taking a step back to analyze, evaluate, and reflect may lend itself better to an evidence-based approach.  

Gozo Airfield - Sociologists had asked for Social Impact Assessment in 2022

The Labour-led Xewkija Local Council has unanimously voted against the application for the development of an air strip within the limits of the locality.

This is yet another example of the need to mainstream social impact assessments in policy-making. Incidentally during the public consultation process carried out two years ago, on 23 May 2022, the MSA - Malta Sociological Association had asked for a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) on this proposal. The Planning Authority had also asked for a 'Social Impact Study', according to an article in Malta Today dated 16 January 2023.

To my knowledge, no Social Impact Assessment has been carried out.

Update:

The Gozo Regional Development Authority has issued a statement on the airfield issue , where it says that its public consultation process was open to everyone and that economic, social, and environmental considerations were considered. It also refers to the Regional Impact Assessment, published in July 2022. Chapter 7.2 (pp.51-55) deals with social impacts, and states that "the Social Impact Assessment carried out for the proposed project identified certain environmental impacts, that were highlighted in the Regional Impact Statement document, as social impacts." (p.52)

This confirms that no proper Social Impact Assessment was carried out.

Even though one appreciates the efforts of the GRDA, it is important to note that a social impact assessment is not a one-off exercise and has various features, such as those referred to by the International Association of Impact Assessment.

Given that the Xewkija Local Council is now opposing the airfield, this surely must be taken into consideration.

2 new open access publications on Social Welfare in Southern Europe

With reference to 'Social Welfare Issues in Southern Europe', (Routledge, 2022) co-edited by Maria Brown and Michael Briguglio, the following 2 chapters are now available in Open Access Format:

- Introducing Social Welfare Issues in Southern Europe, by Michael Briguglio and Maria Brown

- An Analysis of Pertinent Issues in Education in Southern Europe, by Peter Mayo, Maria Brown, Michael Briguglio

Both chapters may be downloaded from here. 

Design your ideal village during Science in the City!

The Malta Sociological Association and the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, University of Malta, will be participating in this year's Science in the City festival. 

More details can be obtained here.

 

One to One enters its second season

Radio discussion programme One To One, hosted by Prof Michael Briguglio, will be entering its second season on Campus 103.7, as from the first week of October. It covers social, political, environmental, and cultural topics, and guests are experts in their respective fields.

Programmes during the 2^nd season will be broadcast every Friday at 2pm, with repetitions on Friday at 9pm and Saturday 11.30am. The programmes are also being made available in on-demand format.

A full list of programmes covered in Season 1 can be found here.

To check out updates for Season 2, click here

#Ħsibijiet (110) Breakdown of trust

Il-kwistjoni tal-karti ta' l-identità: Apparti l-aspetti legali, amministrattivi, u politiċi, hemm aspett soċjali ukoll: Kemm nistgħu jew għandna nafdaw lill-awtoritajiet konċernati?