The Sociological Imagination @ UCalgary

Nov. 23, 2024 | Duration: 01:14:31

Episode Summary

For our inaugural episode of The Sociological Imagination @UCalgary, we interviewed Emeritus Professor of Sociology Dr. Tom Langford, who reflects on his years spent in the department, how it has changed over time, and favourite memories. Dr. Langford joined the department in 1989 and was Head of Department from 2003 to 2009. 

Guest Bio

Dr. Tom Langford is an Emeritus Professor and former department head in the Department of Sociology at the University of Calgary. He has a PhD from McMaster University. Langford is the author of books The Lights on the Tipple Are Going Out: Fighting Economic Ruin in a Canadian Coalfield Community and Alberta’s Day Care Controversy: From 1908 to 2009—and Beyond. Langford retired in 2020 after a just over three decade long academic career at the University of Calgary. His research has focused on globalization, labour, and the politics of early learning and childcare.

Episode Notes                        

“Tenured professors have to be willing to stick out their neck sometimes, especially if the discipline comes under attack, and you have to mobilise your supporters.”

• Dr. Tom Langford recalls his lengthy career in the sociology department beginning in 1989, after graduating from McMaster University.
• Tom discusses the faculty at the time he joined and their research programs, and then reflects on changes over time, including financial difficulties during the 1990s related to provincial budget cuts, challenges related to increased teaching loads and retirements, and the shift in Canadian sociology from quantitative to qualitative and interpretive approaches.
• He compares and contrasts budget funding cuts in the 1990s to the budget landscape today, reflecting on struggles over academic direction.
• Tom discusses how he managed being Head of Department, with a focus on transparency especially in the context of financial difficulties. 
• Tom shares stories of logistical challenges related to conducing doctoral student examinations. 
• Tom discusses what is distinct about sociology in Canada and in particular our department, given wider trends in terms of attenuating financial and social support for sociology. 
• Tom expands on what he found most rewarding over the years, focusing on memories of note including the good feelings of supervising graduate students and seeing where they go, and the remarkable focus of one PhD student whose candidacy exams included the background chorus of domestic chores.

We are busy preparing for another interview with a very significant faculty member in our department – stay tuned in early 2025!