The humanities and social sciences provide valuable knowledge to society that promote awareness and social change, according to Margaret Archer, Professor of Sociology at the University of Warwick, who recently visited the University of Navarra to teach a course for its Master of Social Science Research. For her, research in these areas is capable of demonstrating the existence of social problems and bringing them to the public sphere for debate, for example harsh working conditions or immigration.

On the World Day of Social Justice, she stressed the importance of research on economic development and social dialogue for achieving social justice, but also warned that such research can become a double-edged sword. For example, in some countries, social security was imposed by law and then guaranteed health care. She also highlights the yellow vests movement, which brought the French population to revolt in the face ofrising fuel tax. "For the poor, if they have the luxury of owning a car, these new taxes represent a large part of their income," she explains.

On the other hand, she regrets that little progress has been made on social dialogue concerning coexistence. "Dialogue on women’s equality has accomplished a lot in the last thirty years, but it is still an unfinished task," she clarifies.

The injustice of immigration

For the expert, one dialogue that is even more stagnant and that should be more visible pertains to race and immigration. The sociologist believes that some middle class families still reject people of color, which she believes has made its way into politics: "In places like Holland and Italy, political parties are forming that are not exactly friendly to people of other races."

In addition, she notes that, in the United Kingdom—her native country—aiding immigrants and refugees falls on volunteers since the state does not take responsibility and considers them "a burden." Archer founded an association that rescues victims of human trafficking and is closely involved with it: "When a trafficking victim is found and reported to the police, they have no right to stay or work; how are they supposed to survive then?" she laments.

However, faced with massive contemporary migratory movements, Archer considers that volunteer work is not enough and large-scale action is needed. The expert argues for the need to create a fund to which all European Union countries contribute and, thus, alleviate some countries, like Greece, that get overwhelmed and lack resources when dealing with refugee waves. "If the European Union considers it self a defender of justice, it must defend it for all, despite the possible inconveniences," she concludes.

Margaret S. Archer is Professor of Sociology at the University of Warwick, as well as founding member and current President of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. She was also the first female president of the International Sociology Association and earned her doctorate in sociology from the London School of Economics at the University of London, with postgraduate studies at Sorbonne University. She has been a professor at the Universities of Cambridge, London School of Economics, Reading and Warwick. In June 2019, she will receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Navarra.