YSU SSS’s "SocCamp" non-formal conference celebrates its tenth anniversary

Over its ten-year history, "SocCamp" has remained rooted in the idea of science beyond boundaries—delivered in an informal, open, and direct environment. This year’s annual conference offered over thirty participants the opportunity to take part in diverse academic discussions, captivating lectures, group debates, and establish new social connections.   

The three-day conference, held from July 27 to 29, began with introductory activities and group games. This was followed by a lecture titled "A Sociological View on Internet Memes" delivered by Gagik Tumanyan, lecturer at the Chair of Theory and History of Sociology. The session concluded with group work on the theme.

The discussions evolved into debates on social values. Within the framework of the "Reframing Values" task, participants discussed pre-selected values with one another, then gave theoretical reasons and presented the social significance and personal perspectives on those values.  

Concluding the first day’s media and culture-focused discussions, participants delivered presentations late into the evening. Topics included "Media and Loneliness: How Social Networks and Mass Culture Shape Isolation", "How Cinema Romanticizes Killers: A Sociological Analysis", and "Armenian Films as Reflections of Reality", among others.

The second day of the conference featured presentations on themes such as subcultures, the transformation of Yerevan’s courtyards, spatial changes, the crisis of rurality, and other relevant topics.

To strengthen the social ties formed over the two days, students, lecturers, speakers, and attendees took part in a group game titled "Social Bingo". Using a pre-prepared questionnaire, participants engaged in conversations about their interests and discovered commonalities with one another.

Later, under the panel discussion "ReCity: Reflection", researchers from the Laboratory of Spatial Studies and Development—Harutyun Vermishyan, Aram Vartikyan, Anzhela Ghalamdaryan, and Shushan Abrahamyan—presented their research approaches, findings, and observations on the transformation of post-industrial cities. They also addressed questions from the audience and introduced new thematic inquiries for future exploration.

Continuing with the theme of urban studies, participants toured the city of Tsaghkadzor, capturing photographs that highlighted issues of justice, equality, emptiness, and the right to the city, while also engaging in theoretical discussions on these topics.

At the conclusion of the conference, the initiators and organizers of this scientific gathering gathered around a bonfire to reflect on the decade-long traditions of SocCamp. They reminisced about the story behind the conference establishment, watched a documentary about its history, and shared memories, taking attendees back in time through their reflections.