Double-helix sociology: between knowing and acting in the context of public policies

Critical Neighborhoods Initiative - Operation Vale da Amoreira

Abstract

Knowledge and action are often seen as belonging to distinct and non-intersecting domains: on the one hand, the cognitive; on the other, that of intervention in reality. When we imagine the sociological practice in processes of public policy formulation, a tension originating from this almost primordial distinction emerges. Having as an empirical reference the experience in Critical Neighborhood Initiatives, what we propose is a reflexive course on sociological practice in the context of public policies, trying to unravel the processes that mark this relationship between knowledge and action. We propose a double-helix sociology that articulates sociological knowledge and political action and which combines the practice of a sensitive sociology and objectives of strategic planning.