Scott Schaffer

Dr. Scott Schaffer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at Western University, affiliated with the Western Social Science faculty. He holds a PhD in Social and Political Thought from York University, along with BA and MA degrees from the University of California. His research focuses on contemporary social theory, social ethics, and processes of social change, with specializations in cultural critique, public sociology, and resistance movements. He is a Core Faculty Member at the Centre for the Study of Theory and Criticism and a member of The Millennium Project: Global Futures Studies & Research.

Dr. Schaffer’s work emphasizes developing normative frameworks to evaluate societal phenomena and proactively address future challenges. He has published extensively on topics such as cosmopolitan ethics, the sociology of everyday life, and the role of public sociology. Recent publications include analyses of necroethics during the pandemic and critiques of Disney’s historical narratives.

As an educator, he teaches courses like Foundations of Social Theory and Seminar in Sociological Theory. He actively supervises MA and PhD students in sociology and theory, guiding research on topics ranging from postsecondary education discourse to urban gentrification. Dr. Schaffer also serves as an Associate Editor for Sociology Theory, contributing to academic discourse in his field.