Former SASA president elected to ISA executive
Prof Grace Khunou (UJ) was elected to the Executive Committee (National Associations) of the International Sociological Association at the recent ISA conference held in Toronto, Canada.
Prof Grace Khunou (UJ) was elected to the Executive Committee (National Associations) of the International Sociological Association at the recent ISA conference held in Toronto, Canada.
The South African Sociological Association (SASA) wishes to add its voice to the chorus of condemnation of the recent spate of repression of scholars witnessed around the world. We express our solidarity with those students and academics who have been victims of imprisonment and violence or otherwise face prosecution, dismissal, and harassment.
In 2015, academics in various countries have received death threats and been assassinated while studying social movements, most notably in Columbia. Since early 2016, three chilling examples bear witness to the escalation of academic repression. More than 1200 scholars in Turkey signed a petition for “Academics for Peace” which opposed the government’s decision to pursue a war against the Kurds. For this act only, they were targeted, in many instances investigated, and others were arrested. In India, at Hyderabad University and Jawaharlal Nehru University, non-violent protests against the death penalty led to a major government clampdown. In Egypt, a young scholar named Giulio Regeni disappeared and was found tortured and killed while conducting doctoral research into independent trade unions in the city of Cairo. This comes in the context of the disappearance, torture and murder of hundreds of Egyptian students and academics since the military coup of 2013.
In Ethiopia, in November 2015 a demonstration by pupils and high school students against land grabbing in solidarity with farmers was brutally repressed with live ammunition triggering nationwide protests. Since then, food boycotts, sit-ins and silent marches have been held throughout the country including in universities such as Addis Ababa University, Haramaya University and Ambo University against the repression and for broader political rights. These peaceful protests have been met with the use of live ammunition, summary executions, enforced disappearances, rape and mass arrests leaving over 400 dead, thousands injured and tens of thousands behind bars including students, teachers and academics.
As we join fellow sociologists and scholars worldwide in unequivocally denouncing the stifling of dissent and free expression in academia, SASA repudiates not only these overt and vile attacks on critical thinking, we equally rise up in outrage over the systemic exclusion and continued discrimination against vulnerable groups in higher education.
We subscribe to the view that academic freedoms are a key indicator of the overall status of political freedom and democracy. No government, however, democratic or otherwise, should impose restrictions on the autonomy of scholars as innovative thought can only flourish when ideas can be exchanged and debated free from government repression.
In South Africa, following unprecedented and peaceful student occupations of universities across the country in late 2015, hundreds of students and university workers and academic staff were arrested by the police. The freedom of movement and the right to assemble has since been trampled upon by new management policies and private security which both prevent the legitimate right to protest. Our history in South Africa has taught us all too well the imperative of academic freedom in the context of authoritarian rule. The politically motivated suppression of dissenting opinion and academic expression under apartheid necessitated a form of direct institutional collusion and repression on the part of universities to prevent academics from stepping out of line and we feel this increasingly creeping into our campuses after 22 years of democracy in South Africa. But our history also taught us that intellectual freedom without social accountability can render us mere islands of privilege, to echo Mahmood Mamdani’s words.
Therefore, in reiterating our solidarity and support to the struggles of students and teachers under attack in Turkey, India and elsewhere, as sociologists and social scientists we endorse the global call to continue working and mobilising our skills towards producing a better understanding of our world in order to ultimately make it more just and equal.
SASA congress keynote address in Mail&Guardian - posted on 4 August 2014
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Academic position at the University of Johannesburg - posted on 4 April 2014
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Introduction... The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a vibrant and cosmopolitan university anchored in Africa and intent on global excellence and stature. With an emphasis on independent thinking, sustainable development and multiple partnerships, UJ is an international university of choice. In a major shift towards aspiring to greater heights and Global Excellence and Stature, UJ has committed an additional R700 million over the next seven years towards enriching and deepening our academic profile, and developing UJ as the pan-African epicentre of critical intellectual inquiry. Job Specification... The University of Johannesburg invites suitably qualified individuals to apply for the position of Lecturer Sociology within the Department of Sociology at a market-related remuneration package. The Department of Sociology at the University of Johannesburg offers programmes in Sociology, Industrial Sociology, Urban Studies, and Social Impact Assessment. The Department places emphasis on teaching excellence, innovative research, international scholarly links and community engagement.
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Please note the following contact details are for enquiries about JOB CONTENT ONLY and NOT for application purposes. 0861 227337 / 0861 CAREER or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Statement - posted in December 2013
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The South African Sociological Association mourns the death of Hamba Kahle, Madiba. May you rest in peace.
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Statement - posted to SASA mailing list on 1 November 2013
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STATEMENT ON SASA RESOLUTION REGARDING ISRAEL
At its annual congress in July 2012, the South African Sociological Association (SASA), a professional body representing the discipline of sociology
and the professional interests of sociologists, adopted – by a substantial majority – the following resolution:
We resolve that any scholar based in Israel who wishes to be invited to present a paper at SASA must state that they are opposed to Israeli rule of
occupied Palestinian territories.
The formation of SASA twenty years ago (as a merger of two pre-existing associations) took place precisely at the moment that the ‘new’
South African democratic order was being forged. This founding history, together with a long and complex history of sociological involvement in
public intellectual life, as well as traditions of engaged scholarship in this country, form the backdrop against which this resolution was adopted.
At the July 2013 Annual General Meeting of SASA, it was agreed that the incoming SASA Council should communicate the content of the
resolution to the SASA membership. The resolution signals SASA’s recognition of the risk posed by Israel’s occupation of Palestinian
territories, and the devastating social consequences thereof. It also gives central recognition to the position of intellectuals and academic
institutions in the struggle for social justice.
At a moment when we are confronted by immense social challenges – at a local, regional and global level – the resolution on Israel has
re-opened many questions about the role and significance of SASA, and sociological scholarship more generally, in critique and progressive
social change. These questions, and the debates they inspire will no doubt continue to energise and enliven SASA as a community of
engaged sociologists.
A statement issued by SASA Council on a resolution regarding scholars from Israel adopted at the Annual General Meeting of the
South African Sociological Association on July 3rd 2012.
Academic position at North West University - posted on 6 November 2013
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RESTRUCTURING THE ISA - OPEN LETTER TO THE ISA MEMBERSHIP Dear Member: In a few days the representatives of the Research Committees and National Associations (in good standing) will be asked to vote on organizational changes in the ISA that have been proposed by the ISA Executive Committee. The proposed changes involve the re-composition of the program committee for World Congresses that will give wider representation to Research Committees and National Associations and enable future ISA Presidents to play a more direct role in shaping World Congress programs. If the proposals pass then they will take effect at the 2014 World Congress in Yokohama. The details of the changes can be found at http://www.isa-sociology.org/restructuring-of-the-isa/ [1]. There you will also find the rationales for and against the changes as well as the modification in the ISA Statutes and By-laws that the changes will require. All 4 documents can be found in the three official languages of the ISA, but the English version will govern in case of ambiguity. We encourage you to read the materials and post your comments and suggestions on the blog and if you have questions I and others will try to answer them. Don't hesitate to get in touch with your representatives to express your views! All changes in ISA Statutes and By-laws have to be approved by the Assembly of Councils, which is composed of the representatives of the Research Committees and National Associations (in good standing). They will have 90 days to register their vote. Best wishes for an engaging and open discussion. Yours sincerely, Michael Burawoy ISA President
Dear SASA member
Defend Democracy in SASA
At the 2012 SASA conference, held at UCT, a presenter from an Israeli university built on occupied Palestinian territory contemptuously rejected requests that he distance himself from his government’s illegal occupation of Palestinian land. In response, every sociologist in the room walked out, and held the session elsewhere. Subsequently, the following resolution was put to SASA’s governing body, its Annual General Meeting (AGM):
Any academic from an Israeli institution who wishes to be invited to present a paper at a SASA conference must first indicate his/her opposition to Israeli rule in the occupied territories.
This resolution was passed by an overwhelming majority, with about a quarter of the meeting abstaining and fewer than ten people voting against. Despite this overwhelming adoption of the resolution, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (Cape Town) exerted pressure on the SASA Council through a complaint about the specific incident and the subsequent resolution. This resulted in the Council revisiting the resolution, culminating - despite reported differences amongst Council members - in a decision of Council that the resolution was unconstitutional. The Council offered two reasons.
First, it said that motions had to be tabled 24 hours before the AGM, which had not occurred. But, technically, this was not a motion, it was a resolution (which had been brought to the AGM immediately after the incident). From the constitution, it is clear that 24 hours notice is not required. Clause 7(c) states:
At the Annual Meeting, a majority of the voting members present may: i) place items on the agenda of that Meeting; (ii) pass resolutions binding on the Council …
The second argument was that some of the people who voted were not members. While indeed it is necessary for the Council to ensure that only paid-up members participate in the voting process, in the last decade this requirement has never been strictly adhered to. This therefore cannot be a basis on which to nullify the resolution. The danger here is that if the resolution is unconstitutional on these grounds, then the election of Council would be as well, and all decisions of Council since then would be nullified. This would retrospectively also apply to any previous Councils and AGMs where this was the case. This is therefore a potentially very damaging argument for the organisational integrity of SASA. Had the President genuinely believed that he erred in allowing the AGM to consider the resolution, the proper recourse would have been to resign. Alternatively, the Council could have taken the view that, since a substantial majority of members backed the resolution, it would accept the decision as binding.
In practice, the Council overturned a resolution that was democratically adopted by the AGM. This poses a threat to SASA’s internal democracy as well as SASA’s role in broader societal affairs. We call on all SASA members to support this petition for the reinstatement and immediate implementation of the resolution. We also request that you support the call for the following motion, headed ‘Defence of Democracy in SASA’, to be the first item on the agenda of the forthcoming AGM of the South African Sociological Association.
This Annual General Meeting, being the final decision making body of SASA:
1. Notes that the following resolution was passed by an overwhelming majority at the 2012 AGM: ‘Any academic from an Israeli institution who wishes to be invited to present a paper at a SASA conference must first indicate his/her opposition to Israeli rule in the occupied territories.’
2. Expresses its disapproval of the SASA Council’s decision to repudiate this resolution.
3. Re-affirms the resolution as the democratic decision of the AGM of SASA.
4. Reiterates that the resolution is binding on the Council in accordance with Article 7(c)(ii) of the SASA Constitution.
If you support this petition and motion, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the following subject: I support the 'Defence of Democracy in SASA' petition and motion. Include your name, institutional affiliation, and any other SASA-relevant information.
We hope you will support this cause. Without democracy SASA is incapable of representing its members and its capacity to defend societal democracy is severely compromised.
Sincerely,
Prof. Jimi Adesina (Research Chair in Social Policy, University of South Africa), President of SASA, 2004-06.
Prof. Fred Hednricks (Dean, Faculty of Humanties, Rhodes University), President of SASA, 2000-02.
Prof. Peter Alexander (Research Chair in Social Change, University of Johannesburg), Vice President of SASA, 2007-09, SARS editor 2008-10.
Dr. Shireen Ally (University of the Witwatersrand), SARS editor, 2009-12, SASA Council member, 2008-11.
Prof. Mokong Simon Mapadimeng (North-West University, Mafikeng Campus), President of SASA, 2007-09, Council member, 2010-13 .
Prof. David Cooper (Head, Department of Sociology, University of Cape Town), SASA Council member, 2011-12.
Ms. Babalwa Sishuta (Rhodes University), Vice President of SASA, 2012-13.
Dr. Liela Groenewald (University of Johannesburg), SASA council member, 2006-13.
Dr. Tapiwa Chagonda (University of Johannesburg), SASA council member, 2012-13.
This link takes you to a statement on the Marikana Massacre: http://marikanastatement.blogspot.com/
We invite all social scientists in South Africa, including doctoral students and associated scholars, to add their name to the list of statement supporters.
This a matter of urgent concern and we will close the list on Friday 21 September, after which we will publish the statement and list of signatories.
Please forward this email to other South African social scientists.
A list of initial signatories appears below, and further down you will find the text of the statement.
Best regards,
Prof. Edward Webster (Wits)
Prof. Peter Alexander (UJ).
Initial signatories
Prof. Freek Cronje, Northwest University, President: South African Sociological Association
Prof. Eddie Webster, University of the Witwatersrand
Prof. Jacklyn Cock, University of the Witwatersrand
Prof. Peter Alexander, University of Johannesburg
Prof. Shireen Hassim, University of the Witwatersrand
Prof. Norman Duncan, University of Pretoria, Dean: Faculty of Humanities
Dr. Kelly Gillespie, University of the Witwatersrand
Prof. Ari Sitas, University of Cape Town
Prof. Noor Nieftergodien, University of the Witwatersrand
Prof. Maxi Schoeman, University of Pretoria
Prof. Jimi Adesina, University of the Western Cape
Prof. Francis Nyamjoh, Univeristy of Cape Town
Prof. Michael Burawoy, University of the Witwatersrand, President: International Sociological Association
Prof. Tina Uys, University of Johannesburg, Vice President: International Sociological Association
Prof. Henning Melber, University of Pretoria
Dr Nolwazi Mkhwanazi, University of the Witwatersrand
Prof. Peter Vale, University of Johannesburg
Prof. Roger Southall, University of the Witwatersrand
Prof. Jane Duncan, Rhodes University
Prof. Dirk Kotze, UNISA
Prof. Andries Bezuidenhout, University of Pretoria
Salim Vally, University of Johannesburg
Prof. Lawrence Hamilton, University of Johannesburg
Prof. John Daniel, School of International Training, Durban
Dr Hylton White, University of the Witwatersrand.
Marikana: Statement by South African Social Scientists
As social scientists we share with the public of South Africa the sense of shock and outrage that followed the recent massacre at Marikana. We offer our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who died.
As social scientists we also respond to what has happened in a particular way. Our disciplines avoid episodic description and uncritical acceptance of official statements. Through our research and teaching, we aim to contribute to an examination of social structures, social processes and social context, making sense of these historically and with awareness that they have political significance. Our research aims to reveal phenomena that are hidden, rather than rely on reports of what is immediately visible.
Our analyses are leading us to a recognition of continuities from our apartheid past, with these exposed through events at Marikana. These include:
• massive inequalities that impact adversely on all aspects of the social life of people who are poorer;
• widespread prevalence of low wages (with the persistence of migrant labour and the expansion of outsourcing, subcontracting and informal employment, all of which exacerbate pre-existing problems);
• increased levels of unemployment, especially among young people;
• a system of production based on private profit at the expense of people’s needs;
• domination of the economy by the mining industry, and, with this, repatriation of profits by foreign investors;
• racism that is structural as well as interpersonal;
• growing violence, including hidden violence associated with poverty;
• the prevalence of shacks and other low-cost housing, generally accompanied by the poor provision of basic services; and
• highly repressive forms of public order policing and administration (including the use of the doctrine of common purpose).
Popular perceptions of the Lonmin Marikana mine massacre were initially shaped by TV footage of a single part of the massacre, viewed from the standpoint of the police. This account was reinforced by media briefings, prejudiced reporting, and opinions that blamed the violence on inter-union rivalries. Social scientific research giving weight to accounts by workers has emphasised the culpability of the police, flawed and biased official versions of events, sympathetic treatment of popular culture, and the unity of workers around a demand for a living wage.
Moreover, as social scientists we have a normative concern with defending truth, justice and democracy. And from this stance, we join others in civil society, in calling for:
• condemnation of the killing of strikers by the police, and the threat to the right to strike that this implies;
• recognition of the complicity of Lonmin, which has responded to workers with intransigence and insensitivity;
• appreciation that the gross inequality of rewards that exists at Lonmin, as elsewhere in mining and beyond, is indefensible;
• support for the legitimate demands of workers for substantially improved pay;
• a welcoming of the Judicial Commission of Enquiry and the investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID);
• consideration of demands by civil society organisations for expansion of its terms of reference of the Commission of Enquiry;
• full and sympathetic consideration of evidence by Lonmin strikers and community members in the areas around Marikana;
• determination of who authorised the use of live ammunition at Marikana;
• an IPID-led inquest or investigation into each individual death;
• careful monitoring of the Commission of Enquiry by independent civil society researchers;
• criminal charges to be brought against any police officer who terminated or endangered the lives of civilians by ordering or implementing orders to use live ammunition, or who tortured protesters while they were held in custody;
• disbanding the task forces that carried out the massacre;
• suspending those responsible for mismanagement of the processing of the crime scene;
• dismissal of the Acting Director of the National Prosecuting Authority, who accepted the use of ‘common purpose’ in charging all those arrested with murder;
• dismissal of those who authorised a violent assault on the mine workers;
• the unfettered right of workers to belong to a union of their choice, combined with the promotion of strong, democratic unions; and
• immediate lump-sum payments and ongoing support to the families of miners and others killed at Marikana, and full compensation for those who were injured.
WITS UNIVERSITY
SOCIOLOGY
LECTURER, SENIOR LECTURER/
The Department of Sociology in the School of Social Sciences enjoys an international reputation for outstanding teaching, research and public engagement, particularly in the fields of economic and industrial sociology, development sociology and health sociology. We are seeking to make THREE tenure-track appointments at the level of Lecturer/Senior Lecturer. Applicants from all fields of sociology are invited to apply, although preference will be given to those candidates able to teach in the broad areas of industrial, economic and development sociology; health sociology; political economy and political sociology; environmental sociology.
The successful applicants will have a record of research and publications appropriate to their levels of appointment, a commitment to teaching, learning and public engagement, and experience with culturally and linguistically diverse populations.
Qualifications: PhD in Sociology or related discipline; and relative to level of appointment, an established research record, including publications in internationally recognised journals; and proven teaching record, preferably including strong post-graduate supervisory experience.
Duties: Undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, research supervision, a willingness to help build the discipline as well as service to the School, the university, the profession and the wider South African community.
Remuneration: The salaries will be at university levels, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Professor Roger Southall, + 27 11 717 4451; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
To apply: Submit a covering letter, clearly indicating the post and level(s) applied for, detailed CV with names, addresses and details (including e-mail addresses) of three academic referees, a non-returnable writing sample of a sole authored publication, and certified copies of identity documents and qualifications to Helen Chemaly, Faculty Humanities Human Resources Office, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, WITS 2050.
: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Closing date: 27th July 2012
Applicants who fulfil employment equity requirements are particularly invited to apply.The Open Society Foundation for South Africa has provided a five-year grant to fund a series of Van Zyl Slabbert Visiting Professorships in the Departments of Political Studies and Sociology in the Faculty of Humanities.
A successful candidate will hold the Van Zyl Slabbert Chair in Politics and Sociology, which honours Dr Slabbert’s commitment to an open, democratic society; his excellence in public service; and his research and teaching interests in politics and sociology. The Visiting Professor will normally hold the position for between six and twelve months. Shorter periods will be considered if appropriately motivated.
The Visiting Professor will be expected:
· to engage in research and publication, public lectures and presentations on issues that align with Van Zyl Slabbert’s legacy, especially the issue of electoral democracy, and which links empirical research, theory and political practice
· to encourage cross-disciplinary engagement and synergies between the academic departments and disciplines of Politics and Sociology
· to teach or assist in the teaching of one or more postgraduate courses in the two departments, and advise postgraduate students.
Enquiries about this post may be directed to Professor Annette Seegers, Head of the Department of Political Studies on +27 21 650 3381.
Application process:
To apply, please e-mail the completed UCT Application form and all other relevant documentation as indicated on the form, with the subject line “Van Zyl Slabbert Visiting Professorship” followed by the reference number to: Ms Carla Ravens, Dean’s Suite, Faculty of Humanities, Beattie Building, University Avenue, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa.
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; Faculty website: www.humanities.uct.ac.za
The application form can also be downloaded at http://web.uct.ac.za/depts/sapweb/forms/hr201.doc
An application which does not comply with the above requirements will be regarded as incomplete.
Reference number for this position: 2369
Closing date for 2012/2013 applications: 14 May 2012
UCT is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity and redress. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at http://hr.uct.ac.za/policies/ee.php
SUMMER SCHOOL IN SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH METHODS
9th to 20th January 2012
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Arts Building, Merriman Street, Stellenbosch University
The African Doctoral Academy of Stellenbosch University – in partnership with the International Political Science Association (IPSA) - is pleased to offer a Winter School in Social Science Research Methods. The Summer School is primarily aimed at prospective and current doctoral students in the social sciences and humanities but is open to anyone interested who has a master’s degree or higher qualification. The Summer School offers a range of one- and two-week courses covering research designs, a variety of basic and advanced quantitative and qualitative social research methodologies and tools, and a basic course on surveys and sampling.
Here is a brief outline of the course programme and links where you can find further information:
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS AND PRESENTERS: Please consult the webpage www.sun.ac.za/ada for more details on the courses offered, course descriptions, fees, and the presenters before completing a registration form.
REGISTRATION: Link to online registration form: http://researchschools.wufoo.eu/forms/summer-school-2012-registration-form/
TUITION SUPPORT: Link to online tuition support application form: http://researchschools.wufoo.eu/forms/application-for-tuition-support/
COURSES OFFERED
The following courses will be offered during the FIRST week - Monday 9th to Friday 13th January 2012:
Course 1: Introduction to research designs in the social sciences (Johann Mouton - Stellenbosch University)
Course 2A: Introduction to SPSS and basic statistics for the social sciences (Cindy Lee Steenekamp - Stellenbosch University)
The following courses will be offered during the SECOND week - Monday 16th to Friday 20th January 2012:
Course 2B: Basic data analysis using SPSS (Cindy Lee Steenekamp - Stellenbosch University)
This course follows on from Course 2A, which is a PRE-REQUISITE for attending this course.
Course 3: Introduction to survey methods and sampling (Jan Vorster - Stellenbosch University)
Course 4: Qualitative data analysis with Atlas/ti (Lauren Wildschut - Stellenbosch University)
(A background in basic research methodology and computer literacy is assumed.)
Course 5: Factor analysis, item analysis and item reliability in SPSS (Nelius Boshoff - Stellenbosch University) This is an ADVANCED course.
The following courses will be offered during BOTH weeks - Monday 9th to Friday 13th AND continue from Monday 16th to Friday 20th January 2012:
Course 6: Methodologies of case studies (Ingo Rohlfing – Cologne University, Germany)
Course 7: Comparative research design and configurational comparative methods (Dirk Berg-Schlosser – Philipps University Marburg, Germany)
Course 8: Mixed methods design (Max Bergman – University of Basel, Switzerland)
Course 9: Multiple regression analysis (Bernhard Kittel – Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Germany)
Contact person:
Fran Ritchie
Summer and Winter Schools Administrator
African Doctoral Academy
Stellenbosch University
Tel: +27 21 808 3394
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Webpage: www.sun.ac.za/ada
Dear colleagues
The SARS editorial team would like to thank Liela Groenewald and the team at Taylor and Francis for arranging access for paid-up SASA members to the online content of the South African Review of Sociology.
SASA members can access SARS online by:
a) Logging in to the secure members area on the SASA site http://www.sasaonline.org.za/
b) Hovering over the SARS tab and clicking on 'Members' Free Access'
You will be re-directed to the journal's site and will be able to access all the material that appeared in SARS from 2010 onwards. Back issues from 2001 are still available under 'Past Editions'.
Hard copies of the journal will, of course, still be sent to all paid-up members.
Kind regards
Marcelle Dawson
(on behalf of the SARS editorial collective)
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Dr Marcelle C. Dawson
Senior Researcher
Associated with the South African Research Chair in Social Change
University of Johannesburg
Research Village, House 4 (Bunting Road Campus)
PO Box 524, AUCKLAND PARK, 2006
Tel.: +27 11 559 4272
Fax: +27 11 559 1439
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Academic position: University of Pretoria - posted on 18 August 2011
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Academic positions: Howard College, UKZN - posted on 23 June 2011
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Item posted on 27 September 2010
Item posted on 2 December 2009
Lecturer position at Rhodes University - apply by 15 January.
Item posted on 26 August 2009
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Submitted by the editors: Peter Alexander, Shireen Ally, Marcelle Dawson and Bridget Kenny
Following discussions between the editors of SARS and Taylor & Francis, it is likely that our journal will be published by T&F under its Routledge imprint from the beginning of 2010. It is anticipated that in future SARS will be published three times a year. We still require clarity on some matters and any agreement on this important matter rests with the Council of SASA. In the meantime, the editors are once again considering papers for publication. At this stage two types of contribution will be considered.
1) Articles. Standard research articles or review articles that should be 5,000-8,000 words long. They should be accompanied by an abstract, not more than 200 words long, that summarises the argument made, indicating its novelty.
2) Briefings. Shorter papers, 1,500-3,000 words long. These should be based on research related to topical issue or report recent findings that might shape academic debate.
Those who know the Review of African Political Economy will be familiar with the distinction between articles and briefings. In both cases, papers will be peer reviewed if they have the potential to be accepted (that is, they are relevant to the South African sociological community and might be considered acceptable by a reviewer). To assist the journal fulfil its developmental mandate, potential contributors who have not yet been published in an academic journal should indicate that thet are a first time author.
In the future, articles and briefings may be submitted at any time, but for the next ssue the following deadlines apply:
Articles: 12 September
Briefings: 15 October
Contributions should be submitted to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The journal will also include Debates and a small section of Community News. Information about these will be made available later. The editors will also be announcing a deadline for proposals for special issues of the journal. For further information about SARS, including it new vision, see the editors’ report to the AGM, which is available on the SASA web site.
Also see this document which included the AGM report.
Item posted on 3 August 2009
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POTCHEFSTROOMKAMPUS
FAKULTEIT LETTERE EN WYSBEGEERTE
SKOOL VIR SOSIALE EN OWERHEIDSTUDIES
LEKTOR/ JUNIOR LEKTOR: SOSIOLOGIE
Minimum vereistes: Vir die Junior lektor ‘n BA (Hons) in Sosiologie met onderrigleer- en navorsingsbetrokkenheid of vir die Lektor ‘nMA in Sosiologie met ongeveer 3 jaar onderrigervaring en bewys van navorsingsuitsette gelewer.
Die Universiteit onderskryf die beginsels van die Wet op Gelyke Indiensneming en pas hierdie beginsels toe. Terwyl meriete, gegrond op kwalifikasies, ervaring en bewese prestasies, die grondslag vir aanstellings uitmaak, is die Universiteit verbind tot die behoefte daaraan om te transformeer en sy personeelprofiel te diversifiseer.
Die Universiteit behou die reg voor om nie ? aanstelling te maak nie.
Sluitingsdatum: 10 Julie 2009.
Diensaanvaarding: Soos ooreengekom met die suksesvolle kandidaat.
Vergoeding en byvoordele: ? Mededingende vergoedingspakket kan beding word. Aantreklike studievoordele sowel as die gewone byvoordele geld.
Vir ? volledige POSPROFIEL en’n AANSOEKVORM, skakel die Departement Mensehulpbronne, tel. (018) 299 4960/4961 of stuur ? e-pos na This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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The North-West University invites applications for the following position:
POTCHEFSTROOM CAMPUS
FACULTY OF ARTS
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL AND GOVERNMENT STUDIES
LECTURER / JUNIOR LECTURER: SOCIOLOGY
Minimum requirements: For the Junior lecturer a BA (Hons) in Sociology with teaching-learning and research involvement or for the Lecturer a MA in Sociology with approximately 3 years’ teaching experience and proof of research output.
The University subscribes to and applies the principles of the Employment Equity Act. While merit, based on qualifications, experience and proven achievements, forms the basis for appointment, the University is committed to the need to transform and diversify its staff profile. The University reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Closing date:10 July 2009
Commencement of duties: As agreed with the successful candidate.
Remuneration and fringe benefits:A competitive remuneration package is negotiable. Attractive study benefits as well
as the normal fringe benefits apply.
For a JOB PROFILE AND APPLICATION FORM, contact the Human Resources Department,
tel. (018) 299-4960 / 4961 or e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
CONFERENCE ON ‘COMPREHENDING CLASS’
A conference organized by the University of the Johannesburg’s Centre for Sociological Research with the University of the Witwatersrand’ History Workshop and the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation.
To be held in Johannesburg, 23-26 June 2009
The world is now a more unequal place than at any point in our lifetimes. In an earlier era, this polarization would have been understood – in popular as well as academic discourse - through the language of ‘class’. The meaning of this concept was always contested, and it had various references – class structure, class position, class consciousness, and so on – but few doubted that classes existed and mattered politically. Now, though, many social theorists and political actors have abandoned the idea, and most would be hard pressed to provide definitions with much confidence. Nor has the assault been purely ideological. Evidence from different corners of the world reveals that individual class identities are flexible, often multiple, and sometimes absent, and social structures have changed in ways that can appear to defy assessment in terms of class.
This conference takes, as its starting point, three assumptions:
1)Class is an essential concept for understanding history, and it remains an important basis for popular mobilization against inequality and marginalization. However, critiques of class are not merely about intellectual fashion; they also reflect changing realities
2)There is a pressing need for research and debate on the meaning of class, both with respect to class identity and class structure, and also in relation to other ways of understanding the social world and political change.
3)There is much to be gained from an engagement between people trying to make sense of the concept in different parts of the world, and between academics on the one hand and activist intellectuals on the other.
Hitherto, most of the literature on class has been generated in the North. This conference aims to expand debate by also drawing on experiences and research from the South. A dialogue between North and South will highlight the extent to which, in our globalized world, classes are universal or geographically conditioned. South Africa has greater inequality and worse unemployment than almost anywhere else in the world, and the conference’s location will underline the importance of factoring the realities of poverty into any class-based understanding of society.
The following are some of the themes and questions the organizers would like to consider:
Participation in the conference will be based on the presentation of a paper that presents an original idea based on evidence. This might be a traditional academic paper, but we also invite contributions from union, social movement and NGO activists. The organizers will select papers on the basis of an abstract, no more than 300 words long, summarizing the purpose of the proposed paper. Please email your abstract to Annelize Naidoo at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Remember include the title of the paper, your name, institutional affiliation, email address, and fax and telephone numbers.
Keynote speakers include: Erik Olin-Wright (Wisconsin-Madison), Satish Deshpande (Delhi), Alex Callinicos (King’s College, London), Birgit Mahnkopf (Berlin School of Economics), Celi Scalon (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro).
Final date for submission of abstracts: 6 April 2009
Final date for submission of paper: 25 May 2008
Registration fees. OECD countries (full): R2500. OECD countries (students): R1,500. Non-OECD (full): R1000. Non-OECD (students): R600. A few bursaries for participation from non-OECD countries are available to cover registration. Applicants for these should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. including their CV. Payment can be made by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT). For this, use the following information. ABSA Bank, branch code:632005, account number: 405 628 0705 (University of Johannesburg). Give you first initial and surname as the reference.
Accommodation. We strongly advise participants to arrange their accommodation in one of the many guest house in the Melville district of Johannesburg. This is pleasant and safe area with many restaurants and bars. Transport will be arranged to take participants to and from Melville and the conference venue. Our transport will also assist participants staying at the Millpark Holiday Inn.
You may be interested to know that our conference will be followed by the annual conference of the South African Sociological Association, which will be held at the University of the Witwatersrand from 28 June – 2 July. Also, the FIFA Confederation Cup will be held in South Africa from 14 - 28 June. Whilst this will make a visit to Johannesburg more interesting for some, it also means that participants should book accommodation as soon as possible
BRITISH SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2009
Thursday 16th – Saturday 18th April 2009
Cardiff City Hall, Cardiff
The 2009 Conference is a new way of organising the annual conference of the Association. Instead of the conference being organised under a single conference theme, participants can present on whatever topics they wish within broad streams (and open streams) that reflect the core research areas of the membership:
Consumption
Culture, Media and Society
Economy and Society
Education
Generations and the Lifecourse
Medicine, Health and Illness
Methods
Religion
Theory
Science and Technology Studies Social Divisions / Social Identities
Social Relationships
Space, Mobility and Place
Open Stream(s)
All BSA study groups have been strongly encouraged to contribute posters/ papers and other activities addressed to these streams. There will also be opportunities for study groups to meet independently.
Plenary speakers at the conference have been confirmed as Patricia Hill Collins from the University of Maryland, USA and Boaventura de Sousa Santos from the University of Coimbra, Portugal and University of Madison-Wisconsin, USA. They will speak on topics relating to the 2009 conference theme:
The Challenge of Global Social Inquiry
Within each of the main streams a sub-plenary will be organised to address the Conference theme. These sub-plenaries will be staggered across the Conference timetable.
Further information available from:
BSA Website: www.britsoc.co.uk/events/Conference
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.The Indian Sociological Society (ISS) is having its conference for the All India Sociological Society in Jaipur, India from 27 to 29 December. Fees vary between A,B and C category counties and SA falls under the B category as stipulated by the ISA. Access full details of the conference on the following sites: www.uniraj.ernet.in/conferences/socio2008.html and http://www.insoso.org. For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Call for nominations and applications for the South African Review of Sociology (SARS), a Journal of the South African Sociological Association (SASA).
The editorial collective’s term of office is four years. Although the editing of the journal is non-remunerative, it however offers the incumbents a challenging and fulfilling experience in editing and spearheading one of South Africa’s well established and respected SAPSE accredited journals. This is also an opportunity to contribute towards the building of a transformed scholarly community of sociologists in South Africa.
The editorial collective’s main responsibilities will include:
Leading the journal by making editorial decisions
Upholding the values and principles as well as the vision of the SASA in terms of pursuing the new initiatives and addressing challenges as highlighted above,
Being accountable to the SASA membership through reports on the journal’s progress and the finances at the SASA Annual General Meeting (AGMs),
Convening the AGM of the Journal at the SASA annual conferences aimed at dealing with matters pertaining to the journal,
Appointing a senior editor or convenor from amongst members of the editorial collective, and
Approaching guest editors, where necessary, for the special issues of the journal.
The SASA Council is thus delighted to invite nominations and/or applications for the editorial collective for a new term of four years. Nominations and applications are invited from currently registered members of SASA only. When nominating or applying, the following information should be supplied:
Department of Sociology
Rhodes University
Grahamstown
Tel: 046 6038868
Phone: 0832326646
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
CALL FOR PAPERS
BRITISH SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2009
Thursday 16th – Saturday 18th April 2009, Cardiff City Hall, Cardiff
The 2009 Conference is a new way of organising the annual conference of the Association. Instead of the call for papers being organised under a single conference theme, participants can present on whatever topics they wish within broad streams (and open streams) that reflect the core research areas of the membership:
Work, Economy and Society |
Religion |
Medicine, Health and Illness |
Social Divisions / Social Identities |
Consumption |
Science and Technology Studies |
Culture, Media and Society |
Space and Place |
Theory |
Social Relationships |
Methods |
Education |
Generations and the Lifecourse |
Open Stream(s) |
All BSA study groups are strongly encouraged to contribute posters/ papers and other activities addressed to these streams. There will also be opportunities for study groups to meet independently. The BSA Presidential Address and two Keynote Plenaries organised to address the Conference theme:
The Challenge of Global Social Inquiry
Within each of the main streams a sub-plenary will be organised to address the Conference theme. These sub-plenaries will be staggered across the Conference timetable.
Abstract submission form available from BSA Website: www.britsoc.co.uk/events/Conference IMPORTANT DATES: Friday 26th September 2008: Deadline for abstract submission. Friday 16th January 2009: Last date for presenters to register. E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Click here for advertisement for projects' officer position with the UJ Centre for Sociological research. Queries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Apply online at http://www.ujhb.drm-za.com/.
Constitutional amendment proposed on forum. All SASA members please read.
From Universiy World News, 9 June 2008
AFRICA: Sociologist to lead donor's regional programmes | |
Date: 08 June 2008
![]() Aina, who for the past decade has been the Ford Foundation's regional representative for East Africa based in Kenya, will join Carnegie Corporation in September. Both Ford and Carnegie are founding members of the Partnership for Higher Education in Africa, a consortium of foundations that are investing $300 million over the decade to 2010 in higher education on the continent. The partnership has been supporting the development of university infrastructure and capacity, especially information technologies and internet connectivity. "Africa's vibrant universities are helping to prepare a new generation of leaders in civil society, industry and government who can meet the continent's many needs," said Aina in a Carnegie Corporation statement. "We must continue to find innovative approaches to strengthening these institutions while pioneering new ways of linking them to offer the highest quality instruction to scholars, scientists and humanists." Aina studied sociology at the University of Lagos and the London School of Economics, and has a doctorate from the University of Sussex. He became a professor specialising in urban poverty, governance and development at the University of Lagos, and published widely on a range of issues. He was also an activist, co-founding the Nigerian Environmental Study Team and the Lagos Group for the Study of Human Settlements. Before joining the Ford Foundation in 1998, Aina was deputy executive secretary of the Dakar-based Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa. He has spoken and written about African universities, including authoring a monograph critically assessing the history of higher education on the continent, Quality and Relevance: African Universities in the 21st Century. "Tade's grasp of Africa's complex development needs, the difficult questions he asks and the truths he seeks will help the Corporation better understand the challenges in building human capacity," said Carnegie's president, Vartan Gregorian. "Throughout his career as a scholar and administrator, he has worked with determination to develop routes toward deepening democratisation, reforming public policy and building civil society." Gregorian added that Aina was selected after an international search for a leader who understands the imperative for human resource development in Africa, and champions the role of universities in development. Created by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 to promote "the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding", the corporation's capital fund had a market value of US$3 billion last year. In Africa, Carnegie is working in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana and Nigeria, investing in initiatives that include networks of scholars and institutional support for universities and libraries. |
Registration for the 2008 SASA Congress is now open. The deadline for online submission of abstracts has been extended to 18 April. The 2008 SASA Congress registration form can be found on the SASA website, under SASA conferences. Reduced conference fees will be limited to those who have received confirmation that their 2008 membership is up-to-date from the SASA treasurer.
Arrangements for the 2008 SASA Congress are well under way. The Call for Papers has been published on the website and abstracts may be submitted online. Please click on the relevant menu item for more information.
SASA's Google mailing list is another important source of up-to-date information on the conference and other matters, so please ensure that you are subscribed to that group at http://groups.google.co.za/group/sociology-south-africa?hl=af&lnk=srg .
Conference announcement:
2008 Social Sciences Conference
Confronting Inequalities: Social Sciences and Public Challenges
Conference deadlines: Social Sciences Conference 2008
a.Conference AnnouncementEnd November 2007
b.Abstract Deadline14 March 2008
c.SSNSA to meet to discuss conference:4 April 2008
d.Scientific committee work through abstracts 5th and 6th April
e.Notification to presenters18 April 2008
f.Deadline for final papers submitted1 August 2008
g.Opening ceremony2 October 2008
h.Conference3 + 4 October (half day)
Venue
Publishing
2007 Student Paper Competition - S Ally, 2007/11/01 15:00
The South African Sociological Association hereby invites submissions for the Best Student Paper Presented to the 2007 Annual Congress in Potchefstroom
First Prize: Book Prize, plusOne year’s subscription to the South African Review of Sociology and free registration for 2008 SASA Annual Congress
Eligibility: All postgraduate students registered at a South African university (full-time or part-time) for an Honours or Masters in Sociology who presented a paper at the 2007 Annual Congress are eligible for the competition.
Submission Information: All papers should be submitted via e-mail in MS Word format to the Chair of the Selection Committee, Dr Shireen Ally: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Selection and Announcement:
The Selection Committee, comprising members selected by the SASA Council, will review all eligible submissions, and select a winner.
Deadline: 14 December 2007
To join SASA's new spam-free google list, please go to
http://groups.google.co.za/group/sociology-south-africa?hl=af&lnk=srg
and follow the instructions.
To Whom It May Concern
I am Antonella Spanò, board Member of the Italian Sociological Association (AIS).
The AIS, in collaboration with the Faculty of Sociology, at the Federico II University of Naples have carried out a project for the online publication of abstracts pertaining to the scientific work written by members of the Association: ItalSoL (Italian Sociology on Line) in English.
The project, begun in 2004, updates its database every year, and in the past
has distributed a Cd to all the participants at the XVIth World Congress of Sociology in Durban. At present almost 600 abstracts of printed works written by AIS members are included in the data base. The next update, planned for September, will bring the total of abstracts from 2003 to 2007 up to about 1000.
The online database permits bibliographical research by author, title, or word in the abstract, and by keyword. For each bibliographical reference, it is possible to find the following information: the title in Italian, complete bibliographical references, title in English, author’s Department and e-mail, abstract in English, keywords in English.
As the aim of our project is to make Italian sociology better known, it would be very important for us to enter into collaboration with sociology associations in other countries. I am writing therefore to ask you to kindly put the ItalSoL link on your association’s site. The link is: http://www.ais-sociologia.it/modules/italsol/index.php
Thank you very much for your help. I look forward to hearing from you
soon.
Yours Sincerely,
Antonella Spanò
Prof. Antonella Spanò, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II
Dipartimento di Sociologia
Vico Monte di Pietà n.1, 80134 Napoli
Tel. 0039 081 2535845
e-mai address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
1968: Impact and Implications
BSA Theory Study Group Conference
In collaboration with the Birkbeck Institute for Social Research
3-4th July, 2008, Birkbeck, University of London
Call for Papers
This conference is timed to coincide with the fortieth anniversary of May 1968. It seeks to provide a forum for reflecting back on the events of that time as well as thinking about their implications for current and future endeavours – theoretical and political. Alongside plenary events with keynote speakers and roundtables, there will also be a number of parallel paper sessions. We would welcome ideas for roundtables and papers on the following streams:
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS (confirmed):
Those interested in presenting papers or organizing sessions on the topics listed above are invited to submit proposals to the conference organizing team by September 14th, 2007. For paper presentations please submit an abstract of up to 300 words, specifying the stream you would like to be considered for, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; if you would like to organize a panel session please email us a brief synopsis of the session together with contributors and titles of papers; for posters please email us a short outline of your ideas.
Conference Organizing Team:
Gurminder K. Bhambra (Warwick), Ipek Demir (Leicester), Helen Gregory (Exeter),
Timo Juetten (Sussex), Steve Kemp (Edinburgh), Maki Kimura (Open University),
Sasha Roseneil (Birkbeck)
We expect this conference to be very popular and request that you submit abstracts in good time.
Readership / Chair in Sociology
School of Languages and Social Sciences
£40,335 to 46,758 p.a. exceptionally up to £51,095
Professorial minimum £46,625 p.a.
The School of Languages and Social Sciences is expanding its Social Sciences portfolio and seeking to make a key appointment in Sociology. We are a multidisciplinary School including Languages, Politics, International Relations, Sociology and European Studies. We have a long-standing reputation for excellence, achieving Grade 5 RAE in 2001.
The successful applicant will make a major contribution to academic leadership, research and teaching. Candidates should have a strong international research profile and a proven ability of securing external research grants. Successful experience of supervising research and sustained excellence in teaching is also required.
All areas of specialisation will be considered, with preference given to applicants whose interests complement and overlap with the Schools existing specialisms: Globalisation, Work and Organizations, Gender and Ethnicity, Social Theory and Social Change, Knowledge and Education, Environment and Health.
Application forms and further particulars are available on our web site: http://www.aston.ac.uk/jobs, or by telephoning: 0121 359 0870 (24 hour answerphone), or by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., quoting reference number A07/19/99.
Closing date: 1 March 2007.
Click here for Employer Profile http://www.jobs.ac.uk/ep/links/43/
Lectureship / Senior Lectureship in Sociology
School of Languages and Social Sciences
£26,666 to 46,758 p.a. exceptionally up to £51,095
The School of Languages and Social Sciences is expanding its Social Sciences portfolio and seeking to make a key appointment in Sociology.
We are a multidisciplinary School including Languages, Politics, International Relations, Sociology and European Studies. We have a long-standing reputation for excellence, achieving Grade 5 RAE in 2001.
Applicants should have a strong research background and the ability to contribute to teaching and programme development at undergraduate and postgraduate level. They should have a first degree and a doctorate in a relevant subject.
All areas of specialisation will be considered, with preference given to applicants whose interests complement and overlap with the Schools existing specialisms: Globalisation, Work and Organizations, Gender and Ethnicity, Social Theory and Social Change, Knowledge and Education, Environment and Health.
Application forms and further particulars are available on our web site: http://www.aston.ac.uk/jobs, or by telephoning: 0121 359 0870 (24 hour answerphone), or by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., quoting reference number A07/18/99.
Closing date: 1 March 2007.
Click here for Employer Profile http://www.jobs.ac.uk/ep/links/43/
SASA launches web site
Our new website is online at www.sasaonline.org.za
The Department of Sociology and the Faculty of Education at Rhodes University are co-hosts for the 2012 International Conference for the International Association for Critical Realism.
The conference is being held at Rhodes from the 18th to the 20th of July. There is also a pre-conference workshop on Critical Realism on the 16th and 17th of July, which is particularly suitable for PhD students (but which is suitable for anyone who wishes a solid introduction to the fundamentals of Critical Realism).
There are four keynote speakers, including the two 'founders' of Critical Realism, namely, Roy Bhaskar and Margaret Archer. Roy Bhaskar is also running the pre-conference workshop.
For further information, go to www.iacr2012conference.co.za
For any queries, contact Kirk Helliker at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 046-6038361.
Former SASA president elected to ISA executive
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Prof Grace Khunou (UJ) was elected to the Executive Committee (National Associations) of the
International Sociological Association at the recent ISA conference held in Toronto, Canada.
New SASA council elected
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Borders and Border Regions Conference
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Academic position at the University of Pretoria - posted on 13 February 2018
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Academic position at Stellenbosch University - posted on 2 March 2015
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Older Community News
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