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Public Sociology and the Democratization of Technology: Drawing on User -led Research to Achieve Mutual Education

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Abstract

In an effort to further advance public sociology and its relationship with technology, this paper looks at a democratic model of collaboration within the technological sciences. We draw on the concept of user- led research to demonstrate how sociologists, scientists and various stakeholders within the public sphere can achieve reciprocal, meaningful and sustained knowledge translation. Furthermore, we argue that by acknowledging participants’ technological needs and reducing unnecessary complexity, the user -led method advances Burawoy’s “dialogue as mutual education” within public sociology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nipissing University, North Bay, Canada

    Benjamin Kelly

  2. University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada

    Khosrow Farahbakhsh

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  1. Benjamin Kelly
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  2. Khosrow Farahbakhsh
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Correspondence to Benjamin Kelly.

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Kelly, B., Farahbakhsh, K. Public Sociology and the Democratization of Technology: Drawing on User -led Research to Achieve Mutual Education. Am Soc 44, 42–53 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12108-012-9174-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12108-012-9174-1

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