Pandemic Intellectuals

Søren Lund Frandsen*, Jakob Laage-Thomsen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalComment/debateResearchpeer-review

Abstract

In this commentary we provide a selective overview of the kinds of insights that a sociology of expertise can provide in better articulating the stakes of current politico-epistemic conflicts catalysed by COVID-19. In doing so, we argue that one of the ways that sociology can fruitfully engage with the pre-, intra- and post-pandemic societal responses is through its distinctive perspective on expertise. To exemplify the potential of this perspective, we present three dimensions of the pandemic that a sociology of expertise opens up avenues for exploring: (a) the formation of expert publics; (b) transnational expert dynamics; and (c) expert moral authority. Together these three dimensions show how expertise constitutes a crucial nexus for understanding how contemporary societies respond to global crises.
Original languageEnglish
JournalActa Sociologica
Volume63
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)436-438
Number of pages3
ISSN0001-6993
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2020

Bibliographical note

Published online October 7, 2020.

Keywords

  • Expertise
  • Science
  • Decision-making
  • COVID-19
  • Professionals
  • Transnational
  • Expert publics

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