A man checking his fitness tracker after exercise: a Swansea sociologist has been honoured for his new research into self-optimisation, which is a term for ideas and practices aimed at continuous enhancement of the self. Credit: Ketut Subiyanto, Pexels
A Swansea sociologist has been honoured by the journal Current Sociology, published by the International Sociological Association, for his new research into self-optimisation, which is a term for ideas and practices aimed at continuous enhancement of the self. Examples range from self-help books and podcasts to self-tracking devices, nutritional supplements and cosmetic surgery.
Dr Daniel Nehring is a senior lecturer in sociology in the Department of Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy.
As a sociologist he has a particular interest in the personal consequences of globalisation and the ever more rapid and unpredictable changes that are remaking the social world.
He has just won the Sociologist of the Month Award, presented by the journal Current Sociology, for his article in the current edition, entitled Self-optimisation: Conceptual, discursive and historical perspective. He co-wrote the article with Dr Anja Röcke of Humboldt University in Berlin.
Current Sociology is a leading journal of the International Sociological Association (ISA), the major global academic association in the field.
The ISA was founded in 1949 under the auspices of UNESCO. It is a member of the International Science Council and has NGO consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Dr Daniel Nehring said:
“I am pleased and grateful for this award, for research on an issue that plays a more and more important role in people’s lives around the world.”
He outlined what the research paper covers and contributes:
“Self-optimising practices aim to improve facets of the self in a constant, potentially open-ended and rational way. Self-optimisation relates to areas such as fitness, nutrition, beauty, cognitive and physical performance, sexuality and social relations
Seemingly all features of the physical body, the self and the way of interacting with others in everyday life can be optimised, using a wide array of different techniques and technologies, such as self-help books and podcasts, self-tracking devices, nutritional supplements or cosmetic surgery
This quest for optimisation has become deeply entrenched in a culture of ‘upgrade’ or ‘reinvention’ in public policy and in marketing strategies for products and services intended to turn people into the best version of themselves
In the paper we argue that self-optimisation has so far remained under-conceptualised in sociological research. We set out the wider context that is necessary to put this right and propose an analytical framework.
In this way our research is helping to improve understanding of this increasingly widespread and significant phenomenon in modern society.”