At Applied Worldwide, we’re always looking for ways to bring current sociological research into everyday conversations about society, culture, and change. To do this, we’ve been drawing inspiration from open-access articles published in Sociological Inquiry—a leading journal published by Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD), the International Sociology Honor Society, that showcases innovative work across the discipline. I currently work with AKD and Sociological Inquiry on a contract basis, and in my role with them I frequently find myself sifting through articles from the journal and wanting to share insights from them.
All of the studies featured here were retrieved from Sociological Inquiry, Volume 95, Issues 1–4, published between February and November 2025. These articles highlight the depth and diversity of sociology today, with research ranging from social inequality to health, global trust, and cannabis policy.
Below, we’ve organized articles from each issue into thematic areas that reflect some of the most pressing questions in contemporary sociology.
Social Inequality
- “The Dual-Edged State Paradox: Fighting for Justice When the State is Unreliable” explores how marginalized communities navigate activism and justice efforts when state institutions themselves are sources of inequality.
- “The Gender Agenda’s Agenda: How ‘Tabloid Media Sensationalist Scumbag[s]’ Mobilize Affect to Promote Transphobia” analyzes how media sensationalism fuels transphobic discourse and mobilizes public emotion to reinforce gender hierarchies.
- “Vulnerable, Helpless, and Hopeless: Representations of Youth Who Use Drugs in Canadian Substance Use-Focused Anti-Stigma Campaigns (2009–2020)” investigates how public-health messaging can unintentionally reproduce stigma and exclusion instead of compassion and understanding.
- “Is Love (Skin Color) Blind?: Skin Color and Interdating across Ethnoracial Groups” examines how colorism influences dating preferences and relationship patterns, revealing subtle but persistent racial boundaries.
Health and the Medical Industry
- “Pharmaceutical Neuroenhancement in the Quest for Worth at Work” looks into how workers use cognitive-enhancing drugs to maintain productivity and self-worth in competitive labor markets.
- “Nourishing Educational Success: Evaluating the Relationship Between Healthy Eating Habits and Educational Outcome” studies the social connections between nutrition, academic achievement, and structural access to healthy food.
International Sociology
- “Does Social Trust Travel? Comparing Resident and Non-resident Citizens from a High-Trusting Country” explores how cultural values like trust shift when people migrate or live abroad.
- “Tracing the Conflict Between Türkiye and Syria Through the Turkish Mainstream Media’s Coverage of the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad” analyzes mainstream media framing of international conflict and national identity.
- “The Interplay of Climate and Disaster in Men’s Stories of 2016 Kaikōura Earthquake in Aotearoa New Zealand” analyzes mainstream media framing of international conflict and national identity.
Cannabis Policy
- “Contesting Cannabis Legalization in Nigeria: Hidden Narratives of Illicit Farmers and Traders” uncovers the lived experiences and economic realities behind Nigeria’s ongoing debates over cannabis policy.
- “‘Overdried, Without Curing? F*Ck, this [Is Supposed to be] Government Licensed Skunk!’ Medical Cannabis and the Refracted Publics Within an Online Polish Drug Forum” examines how digital spaces shape public perceptions of medical cannabis and regulation.
- “Recreational Cannabis and Recriminalization in the ‘Emerald Triangle‘” investigates how legalization and policy shifts affect growers and communities long associated with cannabis production.
Applying Sociology Beyond the Page
By drawing from Sociological Inquiry’s open-access research, Applied Worldwide continues to bridge academic sociology and real-world application. These studies remind us that sociology is not confined to journals—it’s a tool for understanding inequality, health, identity, and policy across the globe.
Stay tuned as we continue highlighting applied sociological insights that inspire inquiry, conversation, and community impact.
