Conference Statement

The conference statement is now available.

Conference Statement on Sociological Surveys of Public Opinion in Southeast Europe

The conference, “Sociological Surveys of Public Opinion in Southeast Europe: Cross-National Comparative Studies” supported by the American Council of Learned Societies and hosted by Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj, Romania, was held over three days and concluded on September 2, 2007.  The list of conference participants is international in scope, including many from Southeast Europe — Bulgaria, Croatia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, and Serbia — as well as Norway, Poland, and the United States. 

The conference brought together a mix of established and young scholars from the international academic community interested in the state of public opinion survey research in Southeast Europe.  Presentations and discussions centered on methodology, theory and social problems related to survey research in SEE countries.  Datasets useful for cross-national comparisons across SEE and elsewhere in Europe were examined and evaluated.  Representatives from all over Southeast Europe voiced their opinions on the state of sociological surveys in SEE, noting problems and offering solutions.

At the end of the conference, participants were invited to help formulate a statement that would summarize the proceedings and engage the international academic community.  The conference statement is to address four main questions:

(1)  What is the state of sociological surveys of public opinion in Southeast Europe and what is the state of cross-national comparative research in this area?

(2)  What are the problems and challenges facing the present and future of sociological surveys of public opinion in SEE?

(3)  What are some solutions to these problems and challenges?

(4)  What would constitute benchmarks that signal progress, decline, or status quo in the state of sociological surveys of public opinion in SEE?   

This website will serve to provide a forum for discussion of these questions, as well as a place where interested scholars can exchange information and build professional networks.  Please check back for updates.

Questions about the website can be sent to: seeuropesurveyconference@gmail.com

Welcome to the Conference Website

This website is designed to provide information about the conference, Sociological Surveys of Public Opinion in Southeast Europe: Cross-National Comparative Studies, and enable conference participants and other interested parties to interact, exchange information, and form professional networks promoting public opinion research in Southeast Europe.

Please click on the pages at the top of this website for more information.