Junior Sociologists

The ISA Worldwide Competition for Junior Scholars engaged in Social Science Research was launched by the International Sociological Association in 1990. It was designed by Margaret Archer, ISA President (1986–1990), and Daniel Bertaux, Executive Committee member (1986–1990), who wrote: “This proposal is to stimulate work amongst young sociologists in all parts of the world, by bringing it to the attention of the ISA and thus an international audience. It should therefore be equally advantageous to the various regions, to individuals involved, and to the ISA itself.”

The competition aims at mobilizing the young generation of sociologists, particularly from developing countries, unraveling talents and promoting them in the wider international community of scholars. It also contributes to the overall purpose of the ISA, which is the internationalization of sociology—enriching the discipline by indigenous experiences of various regions or countries, and stimulating networks of multinational and cross-cultural character.

The competition has been organized since 1990 every four years (except for the year 2002, when the selected organizer failed to fulfil their tasks).

The call for essays and the rules is widely advertised through the ISA website, online newsletter, other ISA publications, as well as through direct correspondence with student members and national associations of sociology (collective members of the ISA).

The upcoming edition is in 2027. We will make the call in May of 2026.