Researcher Profile - Morteza Hashemi
Morteza Hashemi
Updating Ibn Khaldun's theory of social change for the 21st century
Morteza Hashemi is an Assistant Professor of Sociology in the School of Sociology and Social Policy.
We have a vital contribution to make in ensuring that novel developments work for the benefit of all in society, and not just for a narrow interest group who control them.
How would you explain your research?
I tend to see myself as a social theorist who occasionally conducts empirical research. My current research centres on Ibn Khaldun, a polymath of the late Medieval era in North Africa. He was the first known historical figure to come up with the idea of what he would go on to call the science of social organisation, an entirely new field of knowledge that we might call sociology. Throughout history, many pre-modern as well as modern thinkers referred to his works and tried to learn from his teachings. My goal is to review that literature and come up with what I have called a neo-Khaldunian sociology for the 21st century.
What inspired you to pursue this area?
Back when I was in high school, I was pretty sure that I wanted to pursue an academic career. My only hesitation was in choosing between philosophy and sociology. Finally, I made up my mind and chose social theory. My understanding was that social theory is a part of sociology which prioritises philosophical debates and inquiries; I was right. However, from day one, I felt quite uncomfortable with the social theory textbooks which were solely dedicated to representing the works of European white men. In fact, I was familiar with the works of non-Western intellectuals who seemed quite relevant and interesting to me. So, I had figured out what would become one of my lifelong ambitions: to engage in a project that nowadays we call ‘de-colonising’ sociology.
How will your research affect the average person?
Social theorists have this bad reputation of living in an ivory tower or being ‘armchair sociologists’ who are detached from the reality of the everyday life of an average person. That is a misleading understanding of social theory. Let’s put it this way: empirical sociologists, policy researchers and criminologists are directly engaging in academic endeavours that affect people’s lives. But what if they get certain concepts wrong? Just as I said above: what if they do not notice that they are, with the best intentions, reproducing a colonial perspective on social life and in that way, through their research and subsequent policies, they are intensifying the marginalisation of others? Now, the role of social theorist is to remind them that some concepts and theories are biased, some are outdated and some need updating.
How does your research influence your teaching?
Teaching and research should never be separated. My teaching contracts in various British universities were all primarily focused on teaching sociological theory or related topics. I am passionate about the stuff that I teach because these are my questions and in the class I search for answers to my own questions. Quite often I learn from my students as well.
What's been the greatest moment of your career so far?
For most scholars the moment of recognition of their contribution is a cherished moment. That is the same for me. After finishing my PhD, I applied for Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship, an extremely competitive scheme. I remember the morning that I saw the notification of an email pop up on my phone which included the word ‘successful’. It meant that I would join the University of Edinburgh for three years to conduct my own post-doctoral research. It was a unique and joyful experience.
What's the biggest challenge in your field?
Serious theoretical research needs patience. It takes time and it demands constant focused work. Additionally, one should observe social trends carefully.
What advice would you give to someone considering an undergraduate degree in Sociology?
Sociology is a vast field. There is always something for you and your interests. Whether you like quantitative research about a neighbourhood or having an impact on people’s lives through criticising government policies or intellectual debates about the quiddity of democracy, you can find your topic in sociology. Still, the key to being a successful young sociologist is having an original question in mind or wondering about something that other people take for granted.