BA (Hons) Sociology
An exciting subject, sociology challenges the world in which we live, including politics, media and social inequality. Get practical experience to work in public and private sectors.
Dr Brian McDonough
PhD, SFHEA
Course Leader
Department of Social Sciences and Nursing
Biography
An academic with teaching experience of over 20 years, Dr Brian McDonough graduated in 2003 with a first-class degree in BA Sociology (London Guildhall University), winning the David Weekes prize.
He taught as an associate lecturer for four years, including working at University College London (UCL), as well as working for the Centre for Social Research and Evaluation.
In 2008 he became a senior lecturer in research methods and methodologies at London Metropolitan University, where he later completed his PhD on ‘a Heideggarian analysis of experts’ use of technology at work’ and also became course leader of BSc Sociology, BSc Sociology and Social Policy, and BSc Criminology and Sociology. In 2010 he co-founded and co-directed the International Centre for Community Development (ICCD) and was the chair for ethics at the university.
He moved to Solent University in 2018 to set up several new sociology degree programmes. He has taught many modules across sociology and social policy, community development, education studies, criminology, and social work, including postgraduate modules in sociological theory and research methods for MRes and professional doctorates programmes in education (Institute for Policy Studies in Education, LMU) and work (Working Lives Institute, LMU).
He has published in online spaces such as the Conversation and Discover Society and regularly publishes in the journal Qualitative Research, among others.
Research interests
Brian has written many books, articles, and book chapters.
His research specialises in work and the body, human expertise, and the use of information and communication technologies in the workplace. He is co-editor of Sociology, Work and Organisations: A Global Context (2024, Routledge); sole author of Flying Aeroplanes and Other Sociological Tales: An Introduction to Sociology and Research Methods (2021, Routledge) and co-author of Social Problems in the UK (2015, Routledge) and Universal Basic Income (2020, Routledge).
He has also published on commercial pilot expertise in journals such as Qualitative Research, using Heideggarian and Merleau-Pontian philosophy to understand the role of the working body, and how AI and other technologies impacts workers in aviation settings. He a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), and member of both the British Sociological Association (BSA) and Association of Social Anthropologists (ASA).
ORCID ID
Keywords
work, mediating technology, universal basic income, body, gender, tactile, ethnography, qualitative research, social problems, bergson, heidegger, merleau-ponty
Further information
PhD supervisor of
Natasha Choudary - Navigating the Neo-liberal Discursive Environment: An enquiry into the experiences of employees in the Voluntary and Community Sector (2021).
Gary Heather - A case study of how Telecoms Engineers Experience Performance Management in the Hidden Abode of Production of Tel-co, a Telecommunications Company (2022).
Current PhD supervisor to
Naomi Davis - Understanding Sexual harassment in HE – Solent University (expected completion 2024)
Paul Mason - Changing Perceptions of Climate Change using Film – Solent University (expected completion 2024)
Jan Parker – The Social Work Gaze: A Qualitative Study of Student Experiences of Social Work Practice – Solent University (expected completion 2024).
Delivered PhD Research Series for students of University College London (UCL) and London Metropolitan University (2016-2018).
Taught courses
BSc (Hons) Psychology with Sociology
Explore the fascinating behaviours of individuals, as well as the cultural and political issues that shape collective experiences, on this BPS-accredited degree.
