Battered and bruised by injuries (often self-inflicted) sustained in the first half of the twentieth century since 1950 sociology in Australia has fought its way back into the academic mainstream. This has not been easy; its fortunes seem forever mixed - good in some places and dismal in others. But it has proved itself resilient, it is a survivor.

Author Biography

Kirsten Harley is Lecturer in Behavioural and Social Sciences in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Sydney, Australia. She completed her PhD in Sydney's Department of Sociology and Social Policy and in 2011 was awarded the university's inaugural Rita and John Cornforth Medal for PhD achievement. She is co-editor (with Kristin Natalier) of the 2013 special issue of the Journal of Sociology on Teaching Sociology: Reflections on the Discipline. Gary Wickham is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at Murdoch University, Australia where he gained his first appointment in 1985. He has published seven books, including Foucault and Law (with Alan Hunt) (1994), Using Foucault's Methods (with Gavin Kendall) (1999), and Legal and Political Challenges of Governing the Environment and Climate Change (with Jo Goodie) (2013).