Public Sociology, Public Science, and the Pandemic

Public sociology has typically focused on translating sociological research into op-eds, for example, or deep engagement with community organizations. In contrast, public science represents research conducted not for scientific discourse but for public benefit. Instead of beginning as an academic exercise and then seeking an interested audience elsewhere, public science begins outside the academy. From March 2020 until April 2022, I ran a COVID-19 tracking website for Missouri. This work was not just the most meaningful of my academic career but a concrete example of research not for academic consumption but for my neighbors’ benefit.