Special Issue in Memory of Michael Burawoy
As part of the celebrations marking the 15th anniversary of Global Dialogue, founded by Michael Burawoy in 2010, we agreed with him in January this year that this issue would be devoted to reviewing the advances in public and global sociology over the past fifteen years.
Michael’s vision for this special issue was ambitious, as he expressed it in his own words in personal correspondence: “Breno, I think it is a terrific idea to have a special session for GD on its 15-year anniversary. Perhaps you could produce a special issue with contributions from the regions (though that may be a challenge) or focus on some of the major challenges for public sociology in turbulent times, such as big issues of the day – war, climate change, inequality, and abortion – all examined through a global lens. An alternative would be to solicit pieces from people who are likely to produce something interesting. Another possibility would be to put out a call to RCs for them to contribute something. You can ask for proposals. The sky is the limit!”
Tragically, Michael passed away in a hit-and-run accident on February 3, 2025. The tributes and remembrances after his passing were immediate and heartfelt. On February 8, the International Sociological Association (ISA) organized an Online Tribute in Memory of Michael Burawoy. Over the past few months, colleagues, students, activists, and organizations from every corner of the globe have been remembering him for his incisive intellect, generosity, and dedication to social justice. Michael’s impact as a mentor, public intellectual, and transformative scholar has inspired thousands of sociologists worldwide. His legacy encompasses groundbreaking work on labor and ethnography, a deep commitment to public sociology, and the cultivation of a global community of thinkers and activists shaped by his mentorship.
“Public sociology without Burawoy is like a bird without a wing. But fortunately, he taught many young sociologists ‘how to fly’” Labinot Kunushevci (Kosovo)
Hence now this issue is not only about celebrating the relevance of public sociology but also about honoring Michael’s memory and legacy. With it, we both celebrate the 15th anniversary of Global Dialogue and reflect on the development of public and global sociology through the lens of Michael’s career and contributions. For this special issue, we invited Michael’s colleagues, students, and friends from around the world to share their insights, analyses, and personal reflections on his work and the moments they shared with him.
The issue is organized around three thematic threads. The first, generously edited by Klaus Dörre and Brigitte Aulenbacher, previous editors of Global Dialogue, explores Michael’s engagement with sociological Marxism, examining both its theoretical rigor and practical relevance. Drawing on his dialogues with the ‘two Karls’ – Marx and Polanyi – the pieces address questions of labor, exploitation, market fundamentalism, and the transformative potential of Marxist sociology, while reflecting on Michael’s intellectual influences. This section, featuring contributions from Nancy Fraser, Bob Jessop, and Michelle Williams, among others, celebrates the depth and breadth of his analytical vision and his capacity to connect critical theory with contemporary social struggles.
The second thematic thread focuses on Michael’s pioneering work in public and global sociology. Here, contributions reflect on challenges and possibilities of sociology as a global vocation, one that is attentive to urgent issues such as inequality, social movements, and transnational dialogues. The essays highlight Michael’s innovations in methodology, his insistence on a sociology engaged with civil society, and his influence on debates across continents – from Europe to South America, Asia, and Africa. Together, they illustrate how Michael’s work provided both a compass and a framework for understanding the world in turbulent times.
The third thread gathers personal testimonials and reflections, emphasizing the human dimension of Michael’s scholarship. Through encounters, debates, and fieldwork experiences, these contributions reveal the warmth, mentorship, and inspiration that characterized his relationships with students, colleagues, and activists. They show how his work resonated in local struggles, from South Africa to Bangladesh, and how it continues to guide sociologists in thinking critically about society while remaining committed to transformative action.
Michael Burawoy inspired a vision of sociology that is both rigorous and committed to social transformation. This special issue celebrates his extraordinary life and work, reaffirming our collective commitment to public and global sociology – a sociology that not only analyzes the world but also seeks to transform it, planting the seeds of new ideas, debates, and actions. At a time when sociology and sociologists are under attack, it is more important than ever to reclaim the kind of critical sociology that Michael so powerfully advocated. For this reason, this special issue also includes the Declaration “A Time for Sociology”, presented by the ISA at the 5th ISA Forum of Sociology in Rabat on July 6, 2025. We hope that the insights, reflections, and research presented here inspire sociologists worldwide to advance a public and global sociology that is courageous, critical, and transformative (Breno Bringel, and Carolina Vestena and Vitória Gonzalez, editor and assistant editors of Global Dialogue).