President: Sharon K. Davis, University of La Verne
Vice President: Gary Hytrek, CSU Long Beach

Program Chair: Marcia Marx, CSU San Bernardino

 

     From the early days of planning this event, I have referred to it as a super meeting.  There are several reasons for this.  First, it is scheduled for a full five days.  You may remember that our 2020 annual meeting, after much work and planning, was canceled due to increasing concerns about the pandemic.  I wish to acknowledge Past-President Dennis Downey, his Program Chair, Elizabeth Sowers, and all of the others who worked on that meeting and did not see it come to fruition.  Second, to our benefit, we were able to carry over and include many of the Presidential and Thematic Sessions planned for 2020.  And third, I have added some of my own Presidential and Thematic Sessions as your current President that fit with the theme of the 2021 meeting, “The New Normal and the Redefinition of Deviance”.

     As a society, a community, and as individuals we have experienced great upheaval in our daily lives this past year. Our taken-for-granted worlds have been impacted and forever changed.  We have experienced a pandemic, confronted systemic and interpersonal inequities, and witnessed political insurrection.  Many of us have struggled financially, socially, and psychologically.  What can be counted on is a PSA program that includes a wide range of research and community involvement sessions on standard topical areas, as well as new ones that reflect current issues facing society today. 

     We have assembled sessions on both academic and applied sociology.  There will be invited panels, thematic sessions, workshops, undergraduate roundtables, film screenings, and meet-the-author sessions. Four Presidential Sessions feature not-to-be-missed sociological luminaries including: Elijah Anderson, Doug McAdam, Pepper Schwartz, and Victor Rios.   Another Presidential Session, especially relevant to today, is “Activism: Then and Now”.

     Entertainment and social activities are planned for evening hours.  One evening, singer, songwriter, and former member of The Byrds, John York, will sing songs of protest, activism, and hope.  Another evening, Sligo Rags, a Celtic Bluegrass Band, will sing Irish pub songs, as well as Irish songs about the plight of workers, social inequality, xenophobia, and discrimination.  A film screening and a reception are also planned for other evenings..

     So, join us for an exciting, ambitious, and timely PSA Annual Meeting this year.  Thank you to PSA Executive Director, Lora Bristow; Program Chair, Marcia Marx; the PSA Executive Council, Session Organizers, and all who have worked so diligently to create a phenomenal virtual meeting for us all.

     You may visit the PSA website (2021 Conference page) for the full preliminary program and overview.  Hope to “see” you at the PSA annual meeting in March.

                                                                                                                     Sharon K. Davis, PSA President 2020-2021

 

Theme: TBA

President: Wendy Ng, CSU East Bay
Vice President: Sharon Elise, CSU San Marcos

Program Chair: TBA

 

2023:  Hyatt Regency, Bellevue, WA  Thursday, March 30 to Sunday, April 2
Theme: TBA

President: Augustine Kposowa, UC Riverside
Vice President: Shirley A. Jackson, Portland State University
Program Chair: TBA

 

______________________________________________________________________________