Liz Legerski, an associate professor of Sociology at the University of North Dakota (UND), highlighted the importance of a “sociological imagination” during her lecture in the 18:83 Speaker Series on February 13. This concept, introduced by sociologist C. Wright Mills in 1959, involves understanding how personal experiences are shaped by larger social structures and histories.
Legerski emphasized that this skill is not limited to sociologists but can enhance leadership abilities across various fields. “I believe that cultivating a sociological imagination can actually help us become better leaders,” she stated.
The 18:83 Speaker Series aims to foster discussions on leadership development among UND faculty, staff, and community members. The series takes place at the Memorial Union’s Social Stairs with each talk lasting approximately 18 minutes and 83 seconds—a nod to UND’s founding year.
During her talk, Legerski cited an episode from the reality TV show “Undercover Boss” as an example of applying a sociological imagination in real-world scenarios. In one episode, the COO of Waste Management experienced firsthand how company policies negatively impacted employees’ lives. This insight led to policy changes after recognizing these structural issues.
Legerski also shared a personal experience from her academic journey when she interviewed a man affected by job loss due to a steel plant closure. During the interview, both he and his wife expressed their struggles emotionally, which moved Legerski and her partner to tears as well. Initially concerned about maintaining objectivity as a scientist, Legerski’s mentor reassured her about the value of empathy in research.
Reflecting on this experience, Legerski noted it taught her “the value of working to give a voice to people who are potentially voiceless.” She concluded by encouraging others to exercise their sociological imagination in leadership roles.
Vanessa Washington contributed this report as part of her internship with UND Communications and UND Today.
