Polish Sociological Association

Sociology first evolved as a section of the Polish Philosophical Society, which split off in 1957 to form the Polish Sociological Association.
Polish Sociological Association

History of the Polish Sociological Association (PTS)

One of the first sociological organizations created in Europe was in Poland in 1931 due to Florian Znaniecki’s effort during the First Conference of Polish Sociologists in Poznan. Florian Znaniecki integrated the functions of a research institution with those of a scientific society when he founded the Polish Institute of Sociology in Poznan. The contemporary Polish Association created in 1957 is known in English as the Polish Sociological Association and in Polish as the Polskie Towarzystwo Socjologiczne, also abbreviated as PTS.

In the process of sociology’s regeneration following the fall of Stalinism, the establishment of PTS is a crucial fact. Sociology first evolved as a section of the Polish Philosophical Society in 1956 on the decision of Stanislaw Ossowski and Warsaw-Lodz-based sociologists. A year after becoming a member of the International Sociological Association, the new branch split off to form the Polish Sociological Association.

Mission and Objectives of the Polish Sociological Association

  • PTS aims to participate in public discourse and encourage the application of sociological knowledge to projects that support the growth of democratic society.
  • PTS’s primary goals are the organization of lectures, discussion sessions, conferences, seminars, and scientific and introductory science courses.
  • By implementing international standards in applied sociology, PTS is actively involved in formulating and disseminating ethical and methodological standards.
  • PTS aims to coordinate scientific research initiatives and promote idea exchange.

Activities of the Polish Sociological Association

  • PTS is an active participant in conferences, workshops, research groups, reading rooms, clubs, and congresses devoted to the study of sociology.
  • PTS creates and gives out scholarships and awards to honor exceptional sociologists.
  • PTS expresses opinions on matters of public concern that can be resolved using sociological research.
  • PTS collaborates with the Polish Academy of Sciences, academic institutions, research groups, and non-academic research centres to advance the field.
  • PTS actively contributes to research publications in sociology as a member of international organizations and associations.

PTS Membership

Currently, the PTS association has more than 1,000 members, most of whom work for universities or research organizations in Poland. A degree in sociology or related discipline is required for full membership in PTS. Undergraduate students are eligible to join PTS as affiliated members. Shmuel Eisenstadt and James S. Coleman are honorary members of PTS.

PTS General Assembly

The PTS General Assembly of Delegates is the association’s highest authority regarding PTS-related operations. PTS’s main office is in Warsaw.

Regional offices of PTS

  • Rzeszow
  • Krakow
  • Lublin
  • Gora
  • Bialystok
  • Opole
  • Lodz
  • Wroclaw
  • Gdansk
  • Katowice
  • Torun
  • Szczecin
  • Zielona

Journal/Publications of PTS

Polish Sociological Review

The Polish Sociological Association publishes the quarterly, peer-reviewed academic magazine Polish Sociological Review in English. Numerous sociological topics emphasizing Poland are covered, including social theory, social structure, social change, and culture.

PTS Awards

  • The Stanisław Ossowski Prize
  • Award For The Best Translation Of Sociological Text
  • The Florian Znaniecki Prize
  • The Aleksander Matejko Prize

Research sections of the PTS  

  • Social anthropology
  • Sociology of science
  • Qualitative research and Symbolic interactionism
  • Scholarly circles of the Polish Sociological Association
  • Urban sociology
  • Rural sociology
  • Sociology of youth and education
  • Medical sociology
  • Sociology of religion
  • Methodology of social research
  • Industrial sociology
  • Sociology of deviance
  • Sociology of social work
  • Sociology of law
  • Military sociology
  • Social engineering
  • History of sociology

Polish Sociological Convention

The 18th National Sociological Congress is organized in Warsaw in 2022.

International collaborations of PTS

The International Sociological Association (ISA), and the European Sociological Association (ESA) have the Polish Sociological Association  as regular and national association members.

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