معرفی
James Ormrod is a Principal Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Brighton, affiliated with the School of Humanities and Social Science. He has been a key figure in developing the sociology of outer space and environmental sociology, with a distinctive focus on the interplay between human society and cosmic environments.
- University: University of Brighton
- School: School of Humanities and Social Science
- Department: Department of Sociology
- Academic Rank: Principal Lecturer
Ormrod earned his sociology degrees at the University of Essex under prominent British sociologists and joined the University of Brighton in 2007. His research spans environmental sociology, the sociology of outer space, social movements, and human-animal relations. He integrates psychoanalytic theory to explore the role of fantasy in activism, as demonstrated in his 2014 book Fantasy and Social Movements.
His scholarly work reveals a strong trajectory toward interdisciplinary environmental thought, particularly in redefining outer space as an environment. Key publications include the foundational Cosmic Society: Towards a Sociology of the Universe (2007) and the edited Palgrave International Handbook of Society, Culture and Outer Space (2016). Recent research extends into urban shepherding, reflecting his interest in more-than-human social relations.
Ormrod’s publications consistently engage with themes of identity, capital, environmental imagination, and the social implications of space exploration. His work bridges science fiction, environmental ethics, and sociological theory, contributing to a growing field of cosmic sociology.
Notable recognitions include endorsements from leading sociologists such as Göran Therborn and Bryan Turner, who praised Cosmic Society as a landmark text. Though no formal awards are listed, his editorial and authorial contributions signify high scholarly impact.
He supervises doctoral research in outer space studies, environmental sociology, human-animal studies, and psychosocial studies. His teaching emphasizes active learning through student-led case studies, promoting deep theoretical engagement. Ormrod is currently collaborating with Matthew Adams on human-animal relations, indicating ongoing research activity.
He is actively involved in research networks and has contributed to major reference works, including the Cambridge Handbook of Environmental Sociology. His recent fieldwork on volunteer shepherding projects demonstrates a commitment to qualitative, community-based inquiry.
