The Berkeley Journal of Sociology is a graduate student-run platform for public sociology, publishing essays, commentary, field memos, photo essays, and interviews that translate academic social science into forms accessible to wider reading publics. Members review and edit submissions on current social, economic, political, and environmental issues. Originally in publication since 1955, BJS produces an annual print issue and maintains an active website with new content year-round.
ApplicationsDecember 5, 2025
1955
Year founded (original publication)
1
Print issue frequency (per year)
$24
Suggested minimum donation for print subscription (to offset shipping and printing costs)
$36
Library/institutional subscription (US, current issue)
2,000-5,000
Essay word count range
1,000-2,500
Commentary word count range
Events They Host
"What Next? Sociologists Speak on the Future of the World" teach-in seminar series
A series of public lectures by Berkeley sociologists including Neil Fligstein, Sandra Smith, Dave Harding, Kim Voss, Cihan Tugal, Raka Ray, and Ann Swidler, addressing politics, labor, and the future of the world. Documented lectures were published on the BJS website in 2017.
"A World in Crisis: On the Legacy of Michael Burawoy" symposium
April 2025 symposium held at UC Merced. BJS published revised remarks from the symposium in Volume 67.