MISSION STATEMENT
The purpose of the Mathematical Sociology Section of the American Sociological Association (ASA) is to encourage, enhance and foster research, teaching and other professional activities in mathematical sociology, for the development of sociology and the benefit of society, through organized meetings, conferences, newsletters, publications, awards, and other means deemed appropriate by the Section Council. The Section seeks to promote communication, collaboration, and consultation among scholars in sociology in general, mathematical sociology, and allied scientific disciplines.

View the complete bylaws: MathSocBylaws.doc (MSWORD DOC)

SECTION AWARDS
DISSERTATION GRANT - The ASA Section of Mathematical Sociology announces a new annual grant program to support a candidate for a Ph.D. in an accredited university. The funds are to be spent only on work needed to complete the dissertation, which must use inventive, interesting (non-formulaic, nor textbook) mathematical applications to address a significant problem in sociology. The dissertation, and/or the mathematics used, may have either a theoretical or methodological focus. The annual prize will be
$1000, which may be used to collect and/or analyze data, travel, or the like (while it must not be spent on needed course work, etc.). Applicants need not be members of ASA or the Math. Soc. section to apply, although they must join both for the period covered by the grant.

Applications for the 2006 award must be received by January 1, 2006. They should be addressed to Prof. Geoffrey Tootell, Chair of the 2006 Dissertation Grant Award Committee, Department of Sociology, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA. 95192-0122. (In the future, the deadline will be October 1.)

Grant applications must include: (1) A copy of the accepted
dissertation proposal, together with any additional requirements or recommendations imposed by the examining committee. (2) The student's proposal must contain enough interesting mathematical work or argument, including theorems and proofs, to show that the theoretical purpose of the dissertation will be attained. (3) Letters of support from the candidate's sponsor and from his/her department chair with assurances that the dissertation will be completed satisfactorily. The letters must
address, in particular, the candidate's relevant abilities and skills,
the department's available resources and their suitability, and whether the difficult work on the dissertation will be solely the work of the candidate. A sketch of a budget plan would be helpful.

Candidates are urged to seek additional fellowship aid from public or private agencies. Use of other sources will not be judged as either an advantage or disadvantage. A grant award winner may seek an additional Math. Soc. award by reapplying for the competition in a following year.

At the end of the winner's award period, the candidate must submit a short report, plus a copy of the dissertation, to the Section Council. A successful candidate should, if asked, be prepared to give an oral report to the Section membership during the following annual meeting of the ASA.

The ASA Section for Mathematical Sociology also presents awards for outstanding papers written in this field.

View past awards: MathSocPastAwards.doc (MSWORD DOC)

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