Contemporary Debates in the Sociology of Education

Some of the most prominent sociologists working in education today have collaborated to address a wide range of empirical and theoretical issues. Adopting an international perspective, this book foregrounds cutting-edge research that highlights both the diversity and complexity of understanding education in society.

"This isn't another trot through the standard arguments within the sociology of education. It examines some of the key issues that will define the character of education systems over the next decade. It should be compulsory reading!" - Phillip Brown, Cardiff University, UK "This engaging book is not just about debates within the sociology of education, it also demonstrates how sociological perspectives can help us understand the ways in which contemporary policies and practices in education reproduce or challenge existing and emerging inequalities." - Geoff Whitty, Institute of Education, University of London, UK "This book offers ample evidence of the continuing importance of applying a sociological lens to the education landscape. Contemporary Debates in the Sociology of Education offers international, timely and critical perspectives on educational policies, practices and processes. The contributors show how the key sociological concepts of social justice and inequality remain pertinent to understanding the continuities and complexities of education." - Amanda Coffey, Cardiff University, UK "This collection serves its purpose of stimulating thought on the contemporary debates of the sociology of education and as such would provide an excellent starting point for those new to the field or who are currently engaged within education but would like to explore a more sociological analysis of some of the issues and challenges they face." - Jon Rainford's blog "a key aim of the book, according to the editors, is both to advance debates within the sociology of education and also to raise its importance as a subdiscipline which I would say they have achieved. It is an interesting, informative and thought-provoking book which I recommend to all sociologists and educationists." Gill Crozier, British Journal of Educational Studies

Michael Atkinson, University of Toronto, CanadaKeri Facer, University of Bristol, UKCarolyn Jackson, Lancaster University, UKMichael Kehler, The University of Western Ontario, CanadaWolfgang Lehmann, The University of Western Ontario, CanadaZeus Leonardo, University of California, Berkeley, USABob Lingard, The University of Queensland, AustraliaHeather Mendick, Brunel University, UKKagendo Mutua, University of Alabama, USASandra Nichols, University of Alabama, USARita Nikolai, Humboldt-University Berlin, GermanyAudrey Osler, Buskerud University College, Norway Steven Roberts, University of Kent, UKStephen T. Russell, University of Arizona, USASam Sellar, The University of Queensland, AustraliaNeil Selwyn, Monash University, AustraliaKaterina O. Sinclair, University of Arizona, USAElisabeth Morgan Thompson, LFA Group, USAHoang Tran, University of California, Berkeley, USAAnne West, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK