Well, we did it!
The ASA 2025 Annual Meeting is a wrap, and it was everything I could have hoped for—thought-provoking presentations, invigorating discussions, the latest books, and more. I left these sessions inspired by new ideas and armed with a renewed awareness of just how much sociology matters, especially now.
But amidst all the generating knowledge, building community, and navigating the maze of Hyatt meeting rooms in my high heels, it quickly became clear to me that the most important aspect of this conference was you. None of this—the critical engagement, the dynamism, the dialogue—would have happened without all of you giving your time, energy, and effort to make the annual meeting a success. Members, ASA staff, volunteers, attendees, vendors, Hyatt Regency and Swissotel Chicago workers—my heartfelt thanks to every single one of you for all you put into this conference. It resulted in a meeting that exceeded my wildest expectations.
This issue of Footnotes addresses the theme of “doing sociology in challenging times,” and it’s hard to imagine times more challenging than these. Higher education, employment options, and research support—all those things have proven a lot less secure than we might have once believed. But one thing this year reinforced is how, when trust in institutions is eroding and science is under direct assault, sociological inquiry remains absolutely essential. Sociology provides insights, answers, and knowledge that may not always be welcome, but that are core to understanding the world in which we live. I wish you all the best as we defend our discipline and continue doing sociology in challenging times.
I look forward to seeing everyone again at the ASA 2026 Annual Meeting next August. As a wise man once said, “nothing’s equivalent to the New York state of mind.” Let’s get it!