Professional identity of the sociologist

Today professional identity of the sociologist develops under digital transformation of the higher education, which increases demands on interdisciplinary competencies, and in the changing professional environment. The article considers the development of professional sociological identity in this context and outlines the corresponding role of teachers. The study’s methodology combines social-cultural and institutional approaches to the analysis of professional identity with qualitative approach and elements of secondary analysis; the empirical basis consists of published interviews with university professors, data on professional identity of sociology students, and studies of the digital transformation of Russian education and identity of young professionals. The author believes that the key challenge for the professional sociological identity is the inconsistency between the traditional concept of the profession and the new demands determined by digitalization and changing professional landscape. Professional identity of sociologists is not formed automatically, it requires systematic, targeted work of students, teachers and professional community. The professional identity model of the sociologist includes three key components: sociological imagination, digital competencies, and ethical consciousness. In shaping the sociological professional identity, the teacher serves as a bearer of professional culture, a mentor and a mediator between academic and professional fields. Today teachers’ roles change dramatically - they need to become architects of professional trajectories and mentors who help students find their professional calling. Under digital transformation, the teacher’s roles have become more complex due to the need to operate in hybrid formats

Higher education · Professional association · Professional development · Professional ethics · Professional studies · Educational Innovations and Challenges · Innovations in Education and Learning Technologies · Psychology of Development and Education