Rory Fitzgerald on the European Social Survey: Insights and Innovations

In this episode of For Sociology, host Kevin Caners sits down with Professor Rory Fitzgerald, Director of the European Social Survey (ESS) and recipient of the 2024 Kohli Infrastructure Prize, to uncover the story behind one of the most influential social research projects in Europe.

Fitzgerald reveals the origins of the ESS, the meticulous methodologies employed, and some of the fascinating findings gleaned from over two decades of data collection across 30 countries. They also discuss crucial societal issues such as public trust, immigration attitudes, and the effects of sociopolitical change.

Fitzgerald shares personal insights from his career and reflects on the future of the ESS — including the challenges of maintaining data quality and implementing innovative survey techniques. Tune in to discover how the ESS is shaping our understanding of European societies and beyond.

Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to For Sociology 00:45 Meet Professor Rory Fitzgerald 02:15 Understanding the European Social Survey (ESS) 03:37 The History and Evolution of the ESS 06:07 Challenges and Compromises in Cross-National Surveys 08:18 Rory Fitzgerald's Journey with the ESS 09:59 Day-to-Day Operations of the ESS 16:21 Adapting the ESS During the Pandemic 22:24 Making Data Popular: Labeling and Accessibility 22:42 ESS Usage Across Academia and Media 23:50 Noteworthy Findings from ESS Data 25:47 Convergence and Stability in European Social Attitudes 27:09 Popular ESS Modules: Attitudes Toward Immigration 28:04 Rapid-Fire Questionnaire: Personal Insights 32:10 Challenges and the Future of Sociology 38:24 Exciting Developments in the ESS 40:37 Conclusion and Farewell

Kohli Foundation's Website

Website of the European Social Survey