European Academy of Sociology
Introduction

The European Academy of Sociology is a fellowship of respected scholars with expertise in many different areas of sociology, united around the common concern to promote rigorous standards in sociology. The European integration necessitates the development of common standards of excellence, via various bodies of private and governmental evaluation and accreditation. The Academy provides a forum for the formulation of minimum requirements and its fellows are willing to offer their services for international bodies of accreditation and evaluation.

See European Sociological review for the original announcement of the Academy. The Annual Lecture is occasionally published in the European Sociological Review. 

Mission Statement

The quality of European sociology is highly variable. On the one hand, there is excellent research being carried out, along with considerable advances in serious theory formulation. Also there exist excellent programs for undergraduate and graduate education. On the other hand, much research is of a low quality and many undergraduate and graduate programmes are mediocre. As a consequence the discipline's status has declined as well as its ability to attract talented students and faculty. To turn the tide, the sociological community must develop rigorous self-regulating standards that help the general public, policy makers, and prospective students to identify research and teaching programs of a high quality.

In anticipation of the growing academic integration in Europe (on the basis of the Bologna agreement), a body is needed which aims to promote and maintain rigorous quality standards in sociology on a Europe-wide basis. Various European organisations have been created to further European sociology, such as the European Sociological Association and the European Consortium for Sociological Research. These organisations are, however, designed to create for a for the exchange of ideas. It is not within their explicit remit to address standards. Rigorous standards can only be maintained if those committed participate in all aspects of academic life where evaluations are important, such as dissertation committees, program and evaluations, journal evaluations.

There is a need for a fellowship of respected scholars with expertise in many different areas of sociology, to unite around the common concern to promote rigorous standards. The European Academy of Sociology aims to fulfil this role. A careful selection process guarantees that all Fellows of the Academy are chosen with this objective in mind. Fellows of the Academy are willing to offer their services for international evaluation.