The month of our scientific assembly...
Seyed H. Serajzadeh
The month of May (Ordibehesht in the Iranian calendar) has become a special month for Iranian sociologists and social scientists. For the past several years, the Iranian Sociological Association has had its biennial assembly in May which has been usually accompanied by a conference on a theme related to either social problems of our society or the challenges of social sciences.
This event provides and opportunity and a platform wherein Iranian intellectuals and social scientists from universities and research institutions across the nation could come together, discuss their shared concerns and ideas, and reconnect with old friends, classmates and colleagues together with whom they could shape and enrich the future of their scientific community.
The quantitative and qualitative developments of the Iranian social sciences in the past several years have been significant. Today social sciences are taught to thousands of students in most of the universities in Tehran and other provinces. The following developments also pertain to the qualitative developments:
- Increase in social scientific publications
- The differentiation and specialization of social sciences and the establishment of disciplines such as demography, anthropology, cultural studies, women's studies, social communications, etc.
- The expansion and development of graduate studies in social sciences which will undoubtedly lead to an increase in research and scientific practices.
- The differentiation and specialization of scientific associations of social sciences such that today we have separate scientific associations for anthropology, demography, cultural and communication studies, political science, etc.
- The emergence of critical dialogue and discussion between the advocates of different approaches and methodologies, exemplary is the ongoing critical discussion between quantitative and qualitative methodologists and also between professional and practical sociologists.
-The self-reflection of sociologists on the performance, potentials and weaknesses of social sciences in responding to the needs of society.
- The engagement of sociologists with social issues and problems and their discussions about the possible solutions
The quantitative and qualitative development of Iranian social sciences have occurred despite the limitations imposed by the mainstream political and cultural discourses, and in response to the needs of the ever-changing society of Iran. Despite the fact that individual sociologists (students and professors) have contributed to these developments, the role performed by the Iranian Sociological Association, as a collective, has been of great significance.
Scientific associations are nongovernmental organizations relatively free from bureaucratic procedures that are formed due to the voluntary and enthusiastic contributions of their members. The Iranian Sociological Association is one of the eldest and largest associations among the scientific associations of social sciences which, in recent years, has been recognized by the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, as one of the most active in terms of its scientific achievements. Several factors seem to have contributed to this achievement:
- Democratic procedures: Following its statute, the Iranian Sociological Association regularly holds elections and all its regular members have the chance to elect and get elected.
- Decentralized planning: The Specialized Committees provide a platform wherein all the interested parties and individuals could independently plan for their annual activities.
- Regional distribution: The association is not limited to Tehran, the Capital. The Provincial Offices are run independently and have provided a venue through which scholars from across the country could be in touch with their scientific community.
- Moderation: The executive board of the Iranian Sociological Association has kept its moderation and has attempted to represent and reflect the opinions of all member sociologists. The association has managed to maintain its unity by avoiding controversial issues.
- Openness: The Iranian Sociological Association has provided a public space where in members of the academic community from different walks of life and with different political affiliations and point of views have been able to engage in scientific dialogues. The diversity of our conference themes and participants and the membership of our Specialized Committees confirm this point.
- Continuity: The association has continuously and regularly held meetings, conferences, and workshops. It regularly and on a weekly basis informs its members of the recent events through its newsletter, website and by email.
If the Iranian Sociological Association has been successful and has been recognized as one of the most active scientific associations it is due to the efforts and maturity of its individual members.
I look forward to seeing as many of them as possible in the final days of Ordibehesht (May 20, 2010) when we will hold our biennial meeting and 7th Iranian Sociological Association Executive Board Members Election.
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