Ray Pahl
Encyclopedia
Raymond Edward Pahl was a British sociologist, best known for his studies of social interaction, polarisation, work and friendship in suburban and post-industrial communities.
before studying at St Catharine's College, Cambridge
, and then the London School of Economics
.
His postgraduate thesis studied class, community and social cohesion in Hertfordshire
commuter villages, and was later published as Urbs in Rure. He was appointed as lecturer at the University of Kent
at Canterbury
in 1965, and to a personal chair in 1972. In the late 1970s, his exploratory study of the informal economy of the Isle of Sheppey
developed into a major research project, which came to be known as the Sheppey Project, and as a result of which he published Divisions of Labour (1984). He also contributed in the 1980s to the Archbishop of Canterbury
's report Faith in the City
. He became president of Research Committee 21 of the International Sociological Association
, and helped establish the Society and Politics Programme at the Central European University
in Prague
, continuing to work closely with sociologists in eastern Europe throughout the rest of his career.
In the late 1980s he helped set up the British Household Panel Study at the University of Essex
, which gathers information from households across the UK for social and economic research. He transferred to the Institute of Social and Economic Research at Essex a few years later, being given the title of visiting research professor in sociology in 1999.
He died of cancer in 2011, aged 75.
Life and career
He was born in London, and attended St Albans SchoolSt Albans School (Hertfordshire)
St Albans School is an independent school in the city of St Albans in Hertfordshire, in the East of England. Entry before Sixth Form is for boys only, and co-educational thereafter. Founded in 948 by Wulsin , St Albans School is not only the oldest school in Hertfordshire but also one of the oldest...
before studying at St Catharine's College, Cambridge
St Catharine's College, Cambridge
St. Catharine’s College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Founded in 1473, the college is often referred to informally by the nickname "Catz".-History:...
, and then the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
.
His postgraduate thesis studied class, community and social cohesion in Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
commuter villages, and was later published as Urbs in Rure. He was appointed as lecturer at the University of Kent
University of Kent
The University of Kent, previously the University of Kent at Canterbury, is a public research university based in Kent, United Kingdom...
at Canterbury
Canterbury
Canterbury is a historic English cathedral city, which lies at the heart of the City of Canterbury, a district of Kent in South East England. It lies on the River Stour....
in 1965, and to a personal chair in 1972. In the late 1970s, his exploratory study of the informal economy of the Isle of Sheppey
Isle of Sheppey
The Isle of Sheppey is an island off the northern coast of Kent, England in the Thames Estuary, some to the east of London. It has an area of . The island forms part of the local government district of Swale...
developed into a major research project, which came to be known as the Sheppey Project, and as a result of which he published Divisions of Labour (1984). He also contributed in the 1980s to the Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
's report Faith in the City
Faith in the City
Faith in the City was a report published in the UK in Autumn 1985, authored by the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Commission on Urban Priority Areas...
. He became president of Research Committee 21 of the International Sociological Association
International Sociological Association
International Sociological Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to scientific purposes in the field of sociology and social sciences...
, and helped establish the Society and Politics Programme at the Central European University
Central European University
For other uses, see European University Central European University is a graduate-level, English-language university offering degrees in the social sciences, humanities, law, public policy, business management, environmental science, and mathematics...
in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, continuing to work closely with sociologists in eastern Europe throughout the rest of his career.
In the late 1980s he helped set up the British Household Panel Study at the University of Essex
University of Essex
The University of Essex is a British campus university whose original and largest campus is near the town of Colchester, England. Established in 1963 and receiving its Royal Charter in 1965...
, which gathers information from households across the UK for social and economic research. He transferred to the Institute of Social and Economic Research at Essex a few years later, being given the title of visiting research professor in sociology in 1999.
He died of cancer in 2011, aged 75.
External links
- Ray Pahl papers: a handlist, Keele University