Close(d) connection

From the very start ‘connections’ have bugged the mind of sociologists. And still today sociologists trace connections, broken or not, to detect, analyze or critique the ever changing/pertaining configurations of social life. Asking: which connections get lost? Which new ones emerge? Which ones stubbornly persist? And which are yet to be developed or discovered…  

The title also hints at the lurking danger of disconnection, with symptoms such as loneliness and polarization. In a ‘hyper-connected’ world, where availability reigns, how do we relate? Are we any better off? And if not; what remedies can be seized to fix what is broken?  

We sought for guidance in three eminent speakers. At the plenary session Piet Bracke (UGent), Tine De Moor (RSM) and Ercan Cesmeli (Burgerplicht) have shed their sociological light on these questions, moderated by Melissa Ceuterick (UGent). After the plenary session, a reception took place. 

Piet Bracke is a Belgian sociologist and professor at Ghent University, affiliated with the Research Group Hedera. His research focuses on the sociology of health and illness, gender and sexuality, and social determinants of health. Bracke has supervised several studies exploring the effects of significant societal changes on mental health and professional care-seeking. With over two decades of experience, he is widely regarded as an expert in his field.

Tine De Moor is professor of Social Enterprise and Institutions for Collective Action at the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) and takes special interest in emerging forms of cooperation like citizen initiatives in short chain food supply and cooperatives of care and energy. She combines a historical perspective with environmental and sociological frameworks to tackle contemporary issues.