SSSers:
The weather has snapped here in Blacksburg. About half of the leaves on the trees have fallen to the ground. The air is crisp and invigorating. Winter is around the corner for sure. I absolutely love this moment of the SSS year for it means a couple of things.
First, it means that the deadline for submissions for our annual meeting – that most wonderful gathering of our membership to share our scholarship, to see old colleagues and friends, to network and learn, to meet new members, and to rejuvenate – is upon us. I am so excited that we will gather to engage with President Stephanie Bohon’s theme of “Invisibility” and to see each other in person after two extremely challenging years for all of us. We will gather in person, we will do it safely, and we will, indeed, reconnect and rejuvenate!
Please submit your abstracts and sessions by midnight (EST) on Monday, November 15, here. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out the Program Chairs, James Maples and Carmel Price, at program@southernsociologicalsociety.org.
Second, the change of seasons also means that we will be traveling to Birmingham, AL this week to the Sheraton Birmingham and its complex of buildings where SSS 2022 will be held, April 6-9, 2022. The SSS Team will meet together to take our visions of the annual meeting into the actual physical space where theory meets practice. We will work hard to ensure a full, efficient, engaging, and safe annual meeting for each and every one of you. Be on the lookout for an email from me shortly after that visit, updating you on the space.
Please register for the meetings and make sure your membership dues for 2022 are paid by clicking here, and book your rooms here as they are likely to fill up quickly.
I have been thinking about our membership a lot lately. I sincerely hope, despite the significant, and often unfathomable challenges, struggles, and losses SSSers have faced in the past two years, that you are finding strength, energies, and passion in this discipline we love – even though I know it is extremely hard.
I look forward to seeing you at SSS 2022. I miss you all.
Peace.
David L. Brunsma
SSS Executive Officer