Problem-solving sociology uses sociological insights and ideas to solve social problems, and uses the solving of social problems to advance sociological theory. See this brief introduction and this theoretical discussion, listen to the podcast, order the book, or watch a book talk.
We currently run the following initiatives:
virtual coffee hours (run by Filippo Barbera and Ji-won Lee)
the Center on Global Poverty at Johns Hopkins University
periodic "solving panels"
a book series with Cambridge University Press
To subscribe to our mailing list, click here. Contact Monica Prasad if you would like to start a new reading group or discussion group or conference or workshop or other initiative under the problem-solving umbrella.
(To share your work, sign up for the PSS Virtual Coffee Hour or the Problem-Solving Ethnography workshop.)
November 6, 2026 at 11am EDT
Problem-solving under difficult conditions
Webinar with Pavan Mamidi (Ashoka University)
Angelo Salento and Stefano Susani, University of Salento.
"Social sciences and the care of infrastructure."
Julie Froud, University of Manchester
"Community action research to address foundational needs."
Luca Calafati and Julie Froud, University of Manchester and Wales Foundational Alliance
"Book Launch: Murky water. Challenging an unsustainable system."
Mirta Toledo, "Pure Diversity"