MSA elects new Committee for 2025

Following its Annual General Meeting for the current year, the Malta Sociological Association has elected a new committee, made up as follows:

Chairperson - Maria C. Borg

Vice-Chairperson - Ljiljana Cumura

Secretary - Donnah Calleja

Treasurer - Julian Micallef

Public Relations Officer - Daniel Gafa'

International Officer - Ljiljana Cumura

Training Officer - Brian Chircop

Outreach Officer -  Dylan Cassar

Committee Members - Bridget Borg, Michael Briguglio, Sara Mari Cardona, Mariella Debono

Directory of Sociologists launched by the Malta Sociological Association

The Malta Sociological Association launched its Directory of Sociologists during its Annual General Meeting held on March 14. 

The directory will be available upon request to those interested in engaging, discussing, or inviting sociologists for specialised and professional activities such as research, analysis, commentary, speaking, and writing. 

The sociologists enlisted in the directory are all members of the Malta Sociological Association and have expressed their consent to feature on the directory. Their respective specialisations are also included. Members should inform MSA of any updates to the details provided. Annually, prior to every Annual General Meeting, the Association will issue an updated version.

Those interesting in obtaining a copy of the directory should write to maltasociologicalassociation (at) gmail.com

Conference Proceedings - 3rd International Malta Sociology Conference 2024

 

Press Release: Malta Sociological Association to hold Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Malta Sociological Association will be held on Friday 14th March 2025 at 18:00. The meeting is open to paid members of the MSA and to those interested in joining the MSA (payments can be affected on the day). More details can be found here.

The Malta Sociological Association was founded in 2016 and  is a non-profit making organisation. It is a non-commercial entity, which aims to develop and promote sociological knowledge. The Association promotes sociological research and contributes toward facilitating the cooperation of people working within the sociological field. It also aims at understanding and analysing social problems for the improvement of the quality of life.

National Sexual Health Strategy - Sociologists' feedback

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) has submitted the following feedback to the European Commission about the National Sexual Health Strategy 2025-2030:

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) notes the public consultation for the National Sexual Health Strategy 2025-2030. The MSA proposes the adoption of a Social Impact Assessment (SIA), as part of this strategy, that follows a comprehensive and scientific approach in conformity with the International Principles for Social Impact Assessment. The International Association for Impact Assessment defines SIA as being “the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by those interventions”. An SIA is an interdisciplinary process, and follows established social-scientific methods, both quantitative and qualitative. Social impact assessments should not be one-off exercises, but ongoing processes which engage with various stakeholders and which report back so as to ensure effective policy processes.

European Oceans Pact Initiative - Malta Sociologists' Feedback

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) has submitted the following feedback to the European Commission about the European Oceans Pact Initiative:

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) acknowledges the European Commission's European Oceans Pact initiative and welcomes its vision for a holistic approach to ocean management and policies affecting the EU's coastal communities. To this end, the MSA proposes the mainstreaming of Social Impact Assessments (SIAs), including its adoption within the European Oceans Pact initiative. The International Association for Impact Assessment defines SIA as being the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by those interventions. An SIA is an interdisciplinary process, and follows established social-scientific methods, both quantitative and qualitative. Social impact assessments should not be one-off exercises, but ongoing processes which engage with various stakeholders and which report back so as to ensure effective policy processes.

Link - Click here

Sociologists' feedback on the Labour Migration Policy Consultation Document

In its official feedback to the Government's Labour Migration Policy consultation document, the Malta Sociological Association emphasised the need to to mainstream social impact assessments and to embed sociological research in the policy making process. This would advance evidence-based policy making.

The feedback submitted by the Malta Sociological Association to the Government states:

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the Labour Migration Policy consultation document. As an organisation committed to advancing sociological research and fostering evidence-based policymaking, we emphasise the necessity of integrating a robust social impact assessment (SIA) framework within the policy.

Mainstreaming Social Impact Assessments (SIA) in Labour Migration Policy

Labour migration has profound social, economic, and cultural implications for both migrants and host communities. While economic considerations often take centre stage in migration policymaking, it is equally critical to assess the broader social dimensions. To this end, we recommend that the policy framework explicitly mandates Social Impact Assessments (SIAs) as a standard practice throughout the policy cycle. 

This would ensure that:
- Policy formulation is informed by a comprehensive understanding of the social effects of labour migration on key areas such as community cohesion, housing, education, healthcare, and social integration.
- Implementation and monitoring include ongoing sociological research that tracks how migration policies impact both migrant workers and Maltese society over time.
- Adjustments and revisions to the policy are evidence-based, ensuring that unintended negative consequences—such as social fragmentation, exploitation, or marginalisation—are identified early and addressed effectively.

Embedding Sociological Research in Policy Design and Evaluation

To strengthen policy effectiveness and societal cohesion, MSA also advocates for a systematic incorporation of sociological research in labour migration policymaking. 

This includes:
- Pre-policy research: Conducting sociological studies to map existing migration trends, understand public attitudes, and assess sectoral labour needs beyond economic metrics.
- Continuous evaluation: Establishing research-driven mechanisms to monitor social integration, discrimination, workplace conditions, and the well-being of migrant communities.
- Community engagement: Ensuring that policy development involves consultations with diverse stakeholders, including civil society organisations, experts, migrant communities, and local residents, to promote a more inclusive and participatory approach.