John Scott CBE FBA, FAcSS DU Essex (Hon) is a British sociologist working on issues of economic and political sociology, social stratification, the history of sociology, and social network analysis.

John Scott, Sociologist

I have been Professor of Sociology at the Universities of Plymouth, Leicester, and Essex and have also taught at Strathclyde University. I have held Honorary Professorships at Bergen University, Exeter University, and Copenhagen University, and am currently also a Visiting Professor at Essex University.

I am a Fellow of the British Academy, a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

I was awarded a CBE in 2013 for Services to Social Science, the BSA Distinguished Service for Sociology award in 2014, and an Honorary Doctorate of the University of Essex in 2016.

I have very broad interests in sociology, but the core areas in which I have undertaken research can be broadly grouped into four divisions as shown in the panel.

My core areas of research

History of Sociology: The varied national histories of sociology, but especially the history of British sociology. 

Social Theory: Understanding the many theoretical approaches to studying social phenomena, especially those developed within sociology. 

Social Structure: Substantive issues concerning the constraining structures that influence human activity, especially those relating to economic organisation, social stratification, and power. 

Research Methods: Methodology, philosophy of science, and the specific research methods that I have used and worked on in my work.