Sociology Public Engagement prize winners announced

The winners of the Sociology Public Engagement Prize 2019 are Professor Debora Price and Jaime Garcia Iglesias.

Debora Price won the staff category for her work on the Guide to the Treatment of Pensions on Divorce. A hugely influential report produced by the Pensions Advisory Group (PAG), which brings academics together with judges, lawyers, actuaries and financial advisors.

This is an example of using research to make a powerful case for practical and policy changes to address inequality. The report was published in July 2019 and after widespread media coverage, the PAG is in discussions with government bodies, including the Department for Work and Pensions and HMRC, as well as judges, legal professionals and the charity Surviving Economic Abuse.

Jaime Garcia Iglesias won the PhD student category for a range of activities connected with his research on gay men who fetishise the idea of getting infected with HIV. Jaime presented findings from his research to the Women and Inequalities Select Committee of the UK government, explaining the factors that can stop gay men accessing medication that prevents the spread of HIV during unprotected sex.

He has also worked with the LGBT Foundation to develop an outreach programme for the Fetish community in Manchester and held a public lecture about his research at the Molly House in the Gay Village.

Two colleagues were also highly commended:

• Rachel Katz in the PhD student category for media engagement activities linked to her research on Grindr and dating apps. You can listen to Rachel on the Guardian ‘Chips with Everything’ digital culture podcast.
• Chris Phillipson, Camilla Lewis, Tine Buffel, Sophie Yarker and Ruth Webber from the Manchester Urban Ageing Research Group, for their event on how urban research can influence policy and practice on age-friendly issues.

The prize was judged by Hazel Burke (Communications Officer, Sociology), Andy Miles (Research Director, Sociology) and Dimitris Papadimitriou (Social Responsibility Director, School of Social Sciences).