“Why Science Needs Sociology: Lessons from Student Life during the Pandemic”

Hosted Lisa Wade (Tulane University)

In contemporary American society, STEM fields are generally thought of as more valuable than the social sciences. In this talk, Lisa Wade—author of Terrible Magnificent Sociology—argues that STEM scientists need social scientists to fully achieve their goals. During the pre-vaccine days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wade conducted in-depth interviews with 150 college students about their experience of attending college in person. Provided with the best scientific tools for staying safe from Covid, would students choose to do so? How did social forces influence their decisions? Telling stories about friendship, sex, and parties, Wade argues that the best science in the world can’t keep us safe if we ignore what the social sciences have to teach us.

Originally hosted April 30th, 2025. The date of this workshop has passed.
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