Feedback

Feel free to leave your feedback in the form. Sociology Café participants have so far said:

I attended the Sociology Café a few times and found it useful to engage with other students at a time when it was difficult to do so elsewhere. I especially enjoyed the poem sessions and got a couple of fun book recommendations from them.

M. Marek, undergraduate and PGT student (2019-2021)

I attended the Sociology cafe while doing my Masters. Discussing current issues through a sociological lens alongside participants at all stages of their academic careers, gave me the confidence to apply for a PhD. For a student like myself, who started at the university during lockdown and had not met many people face-to-face, the cafe provided a collegiality that was not only restorative for my mental health, but also supported me in putting together a successful PhD studentship application.

R. Raho, PGT student (2020-2021)

Sociology Café has been more than a supportive space - each gathering I attended, particularly during the pandemic, acted as a lifeline for me. When things felt isolating, not only because of the pandemic but also because of the ways in which academia is often structured, Sociology Café served as a tether to the 'external' world - and to fellow PGRs, staff, their exciting work, and equally inspiring conversations. The café itself and the discussions (unstructured or otherwise) were a testament to that sociological desire of intervening into things when they are just not enough. I am very grateful to Giovanni for organising the sessions and making sure that this space of solidarity, sharing, and discussion existed. (I must also add that the poetry session we had even inspired two poems that are now published now!) 

E. Avsar, postgraduate research student (2020-2021)

I have attended the sociology cafe numerous times during the pandemic and I found it very useful, as I was at the start on my PhD and it was a very good way to connect with people. It was very informative yet informal which was great as online classes could be very tiring and impersonal. It was not only the content of the meetings but the idea of providing a space for discussion in a friendly manner that made the difference back in those difficult times we all experienced. It has really been a positive experience during my first year of my PhD.

N. Zarkou, postgraduate research student (2020-21)

I attended the Sociology Cafe regularly in the pandemic. It was a great opportunity to informally connect with colleagues and students, helped my mental health a lot during the pandemic and was a time to reflect on my discipline, and network with colleagues. I am very grateful to Giovanni for setting this up and actively chairing many sessions.

S. Lawton, postgraduate research student (2020-21)

I primarily participated in the online cafe during the pandemic. I found it to be an incredibly helpful, reflective, and supportive space. It provided the time and environment to share experiences of cultivating well-being in creative ways with colleagues. These discussions were often rooted in Sociological thought, enhancing our understanding of the world and addressing issues such as racism and health inequalities during this pivotal time. I can confidently say that collegiality played a crucial role in helping me navigate through my PhD journey. Spaces like the Sociology Cafe, knowing it was available on a weekly basis, proved to be an invaluable resource.

M. Gilmour, postgraduate research student (2020-21)