XIX ISA World Congress of Sociology (July 15-21, 2018)

872

Changes and Challenges in Theories and Concepts for Professions and Professionalism

RC52 Sociology of Professional Groups (host committee)

Language: English

Professional work involves knowledge, expertise, service, power and authority. It also involves trust, justice, fairness, education, training and equality. But change is a constant feature of professional, knowledge-based service sector work. Contemporary social, economic and political change is affecting the structures and cultures of professions and different forms of professionalism are being developed. New questions are being asked about professions and professionalism and some established theories seem less relevant in contemporary time periods, policy contexts, areas and geographical regions. Also new knowledge-based occupations develop which pose new questions and challenges to and for existing theories of professionalism.

This session invites abstract proposals which support and/or challenge existing theories and interpretations and welcomes new interpretations and suggestions of new concepts for professions and professionalism in a changing world.