Research Topics

The Graduate Program in Sociology offers four research topics, reflecting the thematic diversification and ongoing development of projects conducted by faculty members and students. These research topics:
a) Foster collaboration among professors from different areas of the social sciences;
b) Involve researchers from other departments, institutes, and universities.
The program emphasizes interdisciplinary engagement, as demonstrated by the implementation of item "b", and by the fact that Unicamp hosts several institutionalized research centers and groups—such as CEB, CERES, CESOP, CTEME, NEPAM, NEPO, NEPP, PAGU, CEMARX, GEBU, the Critical Theory and Sociology Research Group, and the Center of Contemporary Sociology (CSC). Many faculty members from the Department of Sociology are actively involved in these organizations.
Collaboration with these groups, along with partnerships across departments within the Institute of Philosophy and Human Sciences, enriches the program by fostering a multidisciplinary approach that enhances both research and teaching.
 
Research Topic 1 - Environment and Technology
This research topic explores the relationship between technology and the environment from a sociological perspective, considering the mutual implications of environmental and technological changes across various social contexts. Historically, technological progress has drawn boundaries or found inspiration in nature. However, in contemporary times, technology has increasingly become a driving force behind environmental changes rather than a product of them. This shift has heightened awareness of environmental issues and their connection to technology, fueling critical debates within the social sciences. As technology continues to bring about profound social, cultural, and environmental transformations, it is simultaneously shaped by social, cultural, and environmental forces. This topic encourages both theoretical reflection and empirical research, with a focus on contemporary issues such as social movements, territorial dynamics, and forms of sociability linked to emerging information and communication technologies.
 
Research Topic 2 - Culture
This topic encompasses a broad spectrum of cultural issues, addressing their historical, theoretical, and empirical dimensions. Research on culture in this area often intersects with the study of transformations in contemporary society. The scope includes classic studies, such as the sociology of literature and art, alongside investigations into a diverse array of themes, including Brazilian culture, identity, the culture industry, the relationship between culture and politics, and the intellectual and artistic trajectories of individuals and groups. Additionally, this topic explores the intersections between culture and education, as well as other contemporary social processes. Further areas of interest involve critical reflections on the production and circulation of ideas, cultural heritage, diversity, neighborhoods, gender, subjectivity, and capitalism. The breadth of this research topic allows for both theoretical and empirical studies on the evolving meanings of culture while encouraging inquiry into the defining characteristics of contemporary social processes.
 
Research Topic 3 - Theory and Sociological Thought
This research topic focuses on the historical development of sociology as a field of knowledge, emphasizing the study and teaching of both classic and contemporary authors, from Brazil and abroad. It encompasses research on established themes and thinkers from sociological tradition and social theory, as well as emerging topics and authors who challenge and extend this tradition. In constant dialogue with other research topics and the diverse projects undertaken within the program, this area prioritizes critical, systematic, and in-depth reflection on various theoretical perspectives and expressions of social thought. It examines their contradictions, challenges, and connections to historical processes and sociological methodologies. By fostering rigorous theoretical inquiry, this topic aims to advance sociological thought and encourage innovative contributions to the discipline.
 
Research Topic 4 - Work and Society
This research topic focuses on classical themes in the sociology of work and examines the processes, structures, and social changes associated with the world of work. It is dedicated to both theoretical and empirical research, as well as their integration, exploring contributions from classic and contemporary authors who have shaped the understanding of the labor sphere. Areas of study include topics such as unionism, social movements and classes, citizenship, capitalism, rural studies, migration, and gender. This topic emphasizes the intricate connections between work and the transformations of modern society, examining the dynamics of integration and conflict that emerge from these changes. It also investigates both micro and macro processes within the multifaceted world of work.