50 Years of Goldsmiths Sociology

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It’s 50 years since the first students arrived to learn about sociology at Goldsmiths College.

It’s been 50 years of communication, exchange and investigation with the everyday sociologists of New Cross, London, and beyond. And it’s been 50 years of hard-hitting intervention against entrenched prejudices and power structures. 

The celebrations on Friday 28 March 2014 brought together past students, academic and administrative staff plus current students and staff. Talking on the day were Professor Nikolas Rose, Professor Michael Keith, Dr Jennifer Gabrys, Dr Nirmal Puwar, Dr Evelyn Ruppert, Professor Vic Seidler, Professor Bev Skeggs, Professor Heidi Mirza, Professor David Oswell and Professor Les Back. Running alongside was an exhibition of work from students of the groundbreaking MA in Photography and Urban Cultures , Gasket group and the new outstanding MA in Visual Sociology.

Events that took place on the day

An Alumni Reception was held in the Richard Hoggart Building in room 342 (RHB 342) between 1.30-3.30pm. Past students and staff met to reminisce of old times over a ploughmans lunch, tea and cake.

The Anniversary Talk was held in the New Academic Building in the lower ground lecture theatre 2 (NAB LG02) from 4-6.30pm.

Finally, the Anniversary Party rounded off the days events in the Stretch Bar in the Student Union from 7pm-late. The evening's entertainment included a three minute thesis competition, won by Dr Nina Wakeford, a DJ set by Lulu Le Vay: a current PHD student and lots of dancing and eating.

Thank you on behalf of the department to everyone that came along to make this event a true celebration of 50 years of Sociology at Goldsmiths. 

If you missed our day of celebrations, you can now listen to the podcast, and view a selection of images from the day.