Abstract
In my first Editorial written after becoming Editor of International Sociology in 2010 I emphasised the journal’s role in disseminating and promoting new approaches and understandings of the international developments which continue to influence our contemporary world and the diverse societies where we live. This issue reflects various ways in which this can be done through the publication of papers which directly address international trends and processes or which report the outcomes of comparative studies focussing on several countries. Again, Tomlinson’s paper on suicide in Northern Ireland illustrates how material from a single society can be a basis for revisiting our understanding of an important social phenomenon. Promoting debate is also an important role for International Sociology as shown by Immanuel Wallerstein’s response to Robinson’s discussion of his work in volume 26(6). Likewise, Parita Mukta’s reflections inspired by Richard Titmuss’s 1970 book, The Gift Relationship, show how revisiting earlier sociological writing offers fresh perspectives from which to reconsider contemporary social issues and debates.
The International Sociology Association’s Buenos Aires Forum at the end of July will provide a valuable opportunity to learn more about emerging trends in sociological research and thinking which can be explored in future issues of International Sociology. It also gives me as Editor an important opportunity to meet our readers and prospective authors to learn about their interests and reactions to the focus of articles in International Sociology. For this reason I very much look forward to your participation in the ‘Meet the Editors’ Panel which will be held on the afternoon of Tuesday 31st July where there will be an opportunity to learn about the work and focus of the various ISA Publications. If you cannot attend that panel I will look forward to meeting you at the various panels and sessions breaks as well as at the Sage Publications stand.