Theory in Sociology: Deconstructing hierarchies of knowledge: Are we at a gridlock?
Date/Time: Tuesday 25th February 2025, 3-5pm
Place: Violet Laidlaw Room, 6th floor, Chrystal Macmillan Building
Speakers: Katey Warran, Amy Chandler, Niamh Moore and Shaira Vadasaria
Theory in Sociology series conveners: Stephen Kemp and Isabelle Darmon
Hierarchies of knowledge are founded upon theories about reality, with imagination, ideas, and traditions all part of the research and knowledge creation process (Alexander, 1945). But the theories connected to scientific thought and objectivity are given greater prominence in modern society, leading to what has been described as ‘the age of scientism’ (Blakely, 2020). Although science is a meaning-making system – a structure of beliefs and values – it is seldom regarded as one.
In recent years, there has been a social movement of seeking to break down knowledge hierarchies. For example, Kara (2020) has argued that transformative research frameworks (e.g., participatory, community-based, feminist, queer, emancipatory or activist research) acknowledge the possibilities for transformation inherent in research, seeking to increase equity in the research process. This may entail pushing against traditional knowledge structures (e.g., academia; what counts as ‘research’; Smith 2012), seeking to decolonise methods (i.e., detaching research from imperialism and colonialism), and questioning the underlying assumptions and theories that prioritise certain approaches over others. Yet, seeking to make change in environments laden with long histories of systemic inequalities, such as within academia and policy, brings about many new theoretical, ethical and practical challenges.
In this session, we ask: are we at a gridlock regarding trying to break down knowledge hierarchies? We have a wealth of literature advocating for change, but many aspects of society and academia seem to be making it hard to make sustainable real-world change on the ground. Is this a question of structural obstacles to implementation, or is there also insufficient theorisation of this gap? Firstly, we will explore this question through four presentations from staff who have been working in sociology and other disciplines seeking to shift the way we think about knowledge (3-4pm). Next, we will explore both the opportunities and challenges of transformative frameworks, discussing together what the important next steps to working towards more equitable research are (4-5pm). Attendees are welcome to attend just the presentation part of the event if they wish. The event will be facilitated by Dr Katey Warran.
Tea, coffee and cakes will be provided – bring your own mug!