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About the Society

Established in 1935, the Southern Sociological Society is a society of professionals that promotes the development of sociology as a profession and scientific discipline by the maintenance of high academic professional and ethical standards, and by encouraging effective teaching of sociology, valid and reliable methods and research in the study of human society, diffusion of sociological knowledge and its application to societal problems, cooperation with related disciplines and groups, recruitment and training of sociologists, and development of sociology programs in educational and other agencies.

In pursuit of its mission, the Southern Sociological Society (SSS) is committed to building a diverse association and creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for its members. This includes welcoming individuals along many different dimensions of diversity including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, physical and mental ability, age, institution and career status. We actively work to do this through inclusive, anti-discriminatory, and equitable practices and programing, encouraging full participation in SSS and fostering a mutual respect for others in all that we do and in the business of the society.

Members of the Society convene for an annual academic conference usually held in spring.

To visit our membership portal, click here.

Services available on our membership portal include

  • purchasing or renewing membership
  • submitting a paper or session to the annual conference
  • purchasing conference registration
  • paying for job advertisements
  • accessing your Social Currents electronic access code
  • and more!

SSS Member Highlight

“Hello! I’m Bri Turgeon (she/her), a sociology professor at Jacksonville State University in Alabama, where I recently earned tenure! My journey with the Southern Sociological Society began during my undergraduate years at Mississippi State University, and I’ve continued my involvement throughout my academic career.

While earning my graduate degree from Kent State University, I found a special connection with SWS-South, where I have served in various roles, including Newsletter Editor, Vice President, and Mentorship Coordinator. I’ve always valued the collaborative spirit between SSS and SWS-South, which creates a uniquely supportive and welcoming environment at the annual meetings. As I’ve become a professor myself, I have encouraged my own students to present their research at SSS, which has offered them an invaluable platform to launch their academic careers.

In 2020, I was appointed Chair of the Committee on Gender and Sexuality. I enjoyed working with this committee, even during those virtual pandemic years, to help create inclusive spaces and programming during the meetings. Through my role as Chair of CGS, I also began working with the president at the time, Adia Harvey Wingfield, to develop the foundation of the Antiharassment Taskforce. I am grateful for the opportunity to be involved in this important work, which wouldn’t be possible without the collective efforts of the dedicated committee members and the unwavering support from SSS leadership. Together, we have begun developing and implementing policies and practices to ensure that SSS remains a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for all. This past year, the taskforce recruited and trained advocates who are available both at the meetings and beyond to provide support for SSS members who experience any type of harassment. In the coming years, the Antiharassment Taskforce looks forward to formalizing our processes and increasing awareness of the resources available to members.  We greatly appreciate the membership’s strong support in voting to make the taskforce a standing committee, a testament to the society’s commitment to these values!

My interest in service roles at SSS focused on inequality is also reflected in my research and teaching, which focus on the intersection of ideology, discourse, and inequality, examining how broader cultural ideals and public discourse impact various facets of society. I have explored these themes through the lenses of public policy, the workplace, and pop culture, always striving to illuminate the ways in which inequality is perpetuated and how it can be addressed. I look forward to continuing to work with SSS and contributing to its mission of fostering a diverse and inclusive community for all sociologists.”

Throughout the year, we feature different SSS members. If you would like to be featured, or if you would like to nominate someone to be featured, please reach out to our webmaster.