Currently, there are unique opportunities for sociologists to start dissecting and understanding complex social problems even better. During her farewell speech ‘Sharing = Multiplying? Challenging times for sociology’, sociologist Prof. Pearl Dykstra describes three such opportunities using the concept of sharing. She also addresses the question of whether sharing yields anything, and if so, what? Her farewell address will take place on Friday, Nov. 29, in the auditorium of Erasmus University Rotterdam. 

The first form of sharing, according to Dykstra, is through multidisciplinary collaboration. Such collaboration requires complex communicative, relational, and substantive efforts. If there is a foundation of trust, those efforts can generate innovative scientific returns in addition to collateral happiness.  

The second form of sharing occurs through the common use of data. Pearl Dykstra points out in this regard; “Access to large-scale data and computational methods through ODISSEI, the national infrastructure for the social sciences, enables renewal of the research agenda, while access to government data enhances the ability to provide policy with empirical support.” 

The third form of sharing is grounded in knowledge-supported policy advice, which arises through informed dialogues with policymakers. The likelihood of effective advice is greater when regular back-and-forth dialogues are held between policymakers and scientists during an advisory process. It is also more likely when advice fits well within a policy agenda. On topics as diverse as ocean food, microplastics, auto emissions, pesticides, and cybersecurity, it often proves useful to bring in a sociological perspective.  

Pearl Dykstra states “I see a movement of re-sociologization: increasing attention to the influence of institutions, norms, opportunities, power relations, and social networks on human behavior.” 

About Pearl Dykstra   

Pearl Dykstra is Emeritus Professor of Empirical Sociology at the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Her research focuses on intergenerational solidarity, aging societies, changes in families, aging and the life course, and loneliness. She is scientific director of ODISSEI, (Open Data Infrastructure for Social Science and Economic Innovations), the national infrastructure for the social sciences. She also leads research on social resilience within the Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness Center. Between 2015 and 2020, she was one of the European Commission’s Chief Scientific Advisors. Now she is an alumnus of that group and a Fellow.  

The ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. sharp in the Aula, Erasmus Building, of the university, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50 in Rotterdam. The farewell speech can be viewed via a livestream.