ABOUT ISA

At a time when state leaders are promoting distrust in science and attacks on the social sciences are multiplying;
At a time when fake news circulates more widely and with greater impact than research-based analysis;
At a time when many political leaders are spreading hate speech and denying part of the population the right to full citizenship;
At a time when the dehumanization of entire categories of people is once again becoming a widespread tool for asserting and consolidating power;
At a time when scientific evidence is being denied in order to dismiss systemic environmental and societal emergencies;
At a time when states are repressing those who speak out against genocide, systemic violence and racism;
At a time when an unprecedented concentration of wealth allows a small number of multimillionaires to control mass and social media;
At a time when humanity is facing interconnected global crises that will determine the lives of generations to come;
At a time when academic freedom is under threat, even in established democracies;

We believe that critical interventions by social scientists are more essential than ever. 
And we reaffirm the values and commitments at the core of our work as researchers, educators, and public intellectuals.

We stand for:

• A rigorous sociology based on facts and analysis, that rejects simplistic narratives and embraces the world’s complexity;
• An independent sociology that reminds us that the words of the powerful are not always true, and that a lie repeated a thousand times is still a lie;
• A critical sociology that questions rising inequalities and challenges the myth of the self-made man, the simplistic emphasis on markets and consumerism, and alpha masculinity;
• A public sociology that engages in civic debates, not from a pedestal of alleged intellectual superiority, but in dialogue with those striving to transform society and defend the common good;
• A general sociology that resists the risks of hyper-specialization and fragmentation and addresses the urgent issues of our time;
• A global sociology that learns from researchers and social actors from different parts of the world how to understand and meet the challenges of the 21st century, and contributes to building a sense of shared humanity.

We firmly believe that social sciences and academic freedom are intrinsic to democracy and must be protected and promoted.

We believe that informed, historically grounded, and sociologically relevant public debate is vital to understanding and navigating the crises of our times.

We are convinced that sociology not only helps us understand the world, but also to build a more just, livable, peaceful and sustainable future. 

At a time of climate change, war, rising inequality and hatred, sociology has become an indispensable tool for living together on a finite planet.

The declaration was presented by ISA President Geoffrey Pleyers at the 5th ISA Forum of Sociology in Rabat on July 6th, 2025. It is supported by ISA former presidents Sari Hanafi, Margaret Abraham, and Michel Wieviorka; ISA current vice-presidents Allison Loconto, Marta Soler, and Elina Oinas, as well as the presidents of the European and Latin American associations of sociology and the Latin American Council for Social Sciences (CLACSO) Kaja Gadowska, Jesus Diaz, and Pablo Vommaro.

Rabat, July 2025

Endorsements

We collect endorsements by individual sociologists and by members of the wider social sciences community. Whether you attend the ISA Forum or not, join us by adding your name to this collective statement of commitment and solidarity, filling out this form.