Ka jačanju javne sociologije u Bosni i Hercegovini – Mogućnost za repozicioniranje društvenih nauka / Towards Strengthening Public Sociology in Bosnia and Herzegovina – An Opportunity for Social Sciences Reposing

Abstract

When discussing the future and position of the University and social sciences and Humanities in the current cultural, spiritual and moral environment of Bosnian society, it is important to design and try to promote a different vision of sociology. In the context of this specific thesis, the author will try to elaborate on the importance of advocating for public sociology, which represents a sociological discipline from the aspect of connecting academic, scientific, sociological research with a wider audience and social actors, including citizens, activists, civil society organizations and decision-makers. Unlike traditional, professional sociology, which is often directed exclusively towards the academic community and professional publications, public sociology aims to bridge the gap between academic theories and everyday life, directly engaging in problems that concern the wider public and society as a whole. In this paper, the main focus will be on the thinking of Michael Burawoy, a prominent British sociologist, who is considered one of the leading proponents of public sociology. Michael Burawoy defined this discipline as a bridge between sociological research and social actors who strive for social change and believes that sociologists should not be mere observers of social phenomena, but active participants in shaping them. In other words, public sociology is important because it connects academic research and theoretical insights with a broader social context, allowing sociologists to directly contribute to the understanding and solution of social problems. It is important to emphasize that public sociology seeks to increase the social responsibility of sociology as a science of society, so that sociological knowledge does not remain limited to academic circles, but contributes to more serious problem solving in the wider society. Also, this paper will emphasize that there are several specific fields, i.e. social issues, which should be more strongly included, and when it comes to public sociology in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the first thing that is meant here is inequality in all spheres of life, social justice, the culture of poverty, environmental protection, the area of human rights, the questioning of power relations in society, and efforts to contribute to social changes through a critical attitude towards existing institutions and policies. The author will plead to invite academic experts to go beyond the boundaries of the university and to become more actively involved in various public debates, political processes and struggles for social justice. Only in this way does sociology become a tool for social change, and not just an academic discipline. Furthermore, through the presentation of empirical data and critical analysis of social phenomena, public sociology can contribute to the suppression of various cultural and social stereotypes, myths and prejudices, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina and regional contexts where such narratives are dominant. Through more intensive public work, sociologists can provide critical insights into the ways in which power is abused, analyze structures that perpetuate injustice, and propose alternative models of social relations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The author underlines the importance of public sociology in understanding complex issues of cultural identities, because it directly involves local communities and allows the voices of marginalized social groups to be heard in the wider social discourse.