Episode Description
Rory Fitzgerald on the European Social Survey: Insights and Innovations
In this episode of For Sociology, host Kevin Caners sits down with Professor Rory Fitzgerald, Director of the European Social Survey (ESS) and recipient of the 2024 Kohli Infrastructure Prize, to uncover the story behind one of the most influential social research projects in Europe.
Fitzgerald reveals the origins of the ESS, the meticulous methodologies employed, and some of the fascinating findings gleaned from over two decades of data collection across 30 countries. They also discuss crucial societal issues such as public trust, immigration attitudes, and the effects of sociopolitical change.
Fitzgerald shares personal insights from his career and reflects on the future of the ESS — including the challenges of maintaining data quality and implementing innovative survey techniques. Tune in to discover how the ESS is shaping our understanding of European societies and beyond.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to For Sociology
00:45 Meet Professor Rory Fitzgerald
02:15 Understanding the European Social Survey (ESS)
03:37 The History and Evolution of the ESS
06:07 Challenges and Compromises in Cross-National Surveys
08:18 Rory Fitzgerald's Journey with the ESS
09:59 Day-to-Day Operations of the ESS
16:21 Adapting the ESS During the Pandemic
22:24 Making Data Popular: Labeling and Accessibility
22:42 ESS Usage Across Academia and Media
23:50 Noteworthy Findings from ESS Data
25:47 Convergence and Stability in European Social Attitudes
27:09 Popular ESS Modules: Attitudes Toward Immigration
28:04 Rapid-Fire Questionnaire: Personal Insights
32:10 Challenges and the Future of Sociology
38:24 Exciting Developments in the ESS
40:37 Conclusion and Farewell