
Interrogating the Global Social Challenges
The Age of Crisis
Bristol University Press
1st Edition
Will be published approx. on 24. March 2026
Book
Hardback
224 pages
978-1-5292-5272-9 (ISBN)
Description
How can sociological thinking help us make sense of today's biggest global challenges?
In what is understood as 'an age of crisis', headlines are dominated by topic such as climate change, migration, radicalisation and inequality. These topics are core to sociology, yet sociological insights are drowned out in public debate frequently dominated by technological optimism, economic rhetoric or polarising politics.
This accessibly written textbook centres the sociological voice. It demonstrates how evidence-based, critical perspectives can illuminate the causes, interconnections and possible solutions to some of the most urgent issues of our time.
Each chapter is crafted to support students new to sociology, guiding them to think critically and make connections between complex global problems. Key pedagogical features include:
* Clear statements of key messages at the start of each chapter;
* Bold-highlighted definitions of sociological terms with minimal jargon;
* 'Focus point' boxes with data, case studies or visual insights;
* Suggested sources for further exploration, including videos and online media.
Essential reading for undergraduate students and anyone working in policy, advocacy or social change-offering the tools to think critically, act thoughtfully and engage with today's most pressing global challenges.
In what is understood as 'an age of crisis', headlines are dominated by topic such as climate change, migration, radicalisation and inequality. These topics are core to sociology, yet sociological insights are drowned out in public debate frequently dominated by technological optimism, economic rhetoric or polarising politics.
This accessibly written textbook centres the sociological voice. It demonstrates how evidence-based, critical perspectives can illuminate the causes, interconnections and possible solutions to some of the most urgent issues of our time.
Each chapter is crafted to support students new to sociology, guiding them to think critically and make connections between complex global problems. Key pedagogical features include:
* Clear statements of key messages at the start of each chapter;
* Bold-highlighted definitions of sociological terms with minimal jargon;
* 'Focus point' boxes with data, case studies or visual insights;
* Suggested sources for further exploration, including videos and online media.
Essential reading for undergraduate students and anyone working in policy, advocacy or social change-offering the tools to think critically, act thoughtfully and engage with today's most pressing global challenges.
More details
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Bristol
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
Not illustrated
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
544 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5292-5272-9 (9781529252729)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Interrogating the Global Social Challenges
The Age of Crisis
E-Book
03/2026
1st Edition
Bristol University Press
€42.99
Available for download

Interrogating the Global Social Challenges
The Age of Crisis
Book
approx. 03/2026
1st Edition
Bristol University Press
€36.50
Not yet published
Persons
Kevin Gillan is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Manchester.
Vanessa May is Professor of Sociology at the University of Manchester and a member of the Morgan Centre for Research into Everyday Lives.
Vanessa May is Professor of Sociology at the University of Manchester and a member of the Morgan Centre for Research into Everyday Lives.
Contributions
The University of Manchester
The University of Manchester
The University of Manchester
University of Manchester
The University of Manchester
The University of Manchester
Social Sciences, University of Manchester
Emeritus Professor at The University of Manchester
Content
Foreword - Gary Younge
Part 1: Setting the Scene
1. Making Sense of Global Social Challenges - Kevin Gillan and Vanessa May
2. Decolonisation - Meghan Tinsley
Part 2: Trends and Challenges
3. Economic Inequalities - Kevin Gillan
4. Climate, Ecology and Solidarity - Richie Nimmo
5. The Global Waste Crisis - Helen Holmes
6. The Next Pandemic - Elisa Pieri
7. Technology and Labour - Barbora Cernusakova and Isha Bhallamudi
Part 3: Rethinking Social Categories
8. Racialised Injustice - Bridget Byrne and Siobhan O'Neill
9. Gender and Anti-Gender - Briony Hannell
10. Seeing Migration Differently - Vanessa May, Anna Simola and Sirpa Wrede
11. Rethinking Ageing in a Global World - Patty Doran, Tine Buffel and Chris Phillipson
12. Radicalisation - Hilary Pilkington
Part 4: Ways Forward
13. Social Movements and Social Change - Josie Bunting
14. Conclusions: Social Responses to Global Challenges - Kevin Gillan and Vanessa May
Part 1: Setting the Scene
1. Making Sense of Global Social Challenges - Kevin Gillan and Vanessa May
2. Decolonisation - Meghan Tinsley
Part 2: Trends and Challenges
3. Economic Inequalities - Kevin Gillan
4. Climate, Ecology and Solidarity - Richie Nimmo
5. The Global Waste Crisis - Helen Holmes
6. The Next Pandemic - Elisa Pieri
7. Technology and Labour - Barbora Cernusakova and Isha Bhallamudi
Part 3: Rethinking Social Categories
8. Racialised Injustice - Bridget Byrne and Siobhan O'Neill
9. Gender and Anti-Gender - Briony Hannell
10. Seeing Migration Differently - Vanessa May, Anna Simola and Sirpa Wrede
11. Rethinking Ageing in a Global World - Patty Doran, Tine Buffel and Chris Phillipson
12. Radicalisation - Hilary Pilkington
Part 4: Ways Forward
13. Social Movements and Social Change - Josie Bunting
14. Conclusions: Social Responses to Global Challenges - Kevin Gillan and Vanessa May