I’ve being managing communications and media for research organisations and not for profits for many years. In general, the social sciences don’t do marketing well. This is especially the case in my field of sociology.
A study of teaching sociology in Australia led by Helen Marshall found that our “sociology” brand is weak including through the names of our courses and how we promote them. Economics and psychology excelled at marketing early in their history (not without internal controversies) particularly by elevating their likeness to physical and natural sciences. Sociology does not need to take this appeal. Instead, we can focus on our unique and valuable contribution to social policy, welfare, and other sectors. This is why I founded Sociology at Work, to support practitioners, including helping graduate understand their career options. It would be helpful to increase efforts to promote sociology more broadly.
The Other Sociologist 