1.1 Biography
Updated CV (October 2011) [pdf]
Athanasios Karafillidis, Dipl.-Soz.Wiss., born 1973 in Germany, studied social sciences at Wuppertal University focussing on the sociology of work and organization (Professor Klaus Türk). From November 2002 until August 2007 assistant of Professor Dirk Baecker at the chair of sociology, faculty of fundamental studies, Witten/Herdecke University. From April to June 2005 he visited Bielefeld University and worked with Harrison C. White and Tobias Werron on identity and control, disciplines, and networks. Currently assistant at the Institute for Sociology, RWTH Aachen University.
Extra-scientific experience: AIQ - Arbeit Innovation Qualifikation e.V., Dortmund (1999); Institut für Beratung und Training in Unternehmen, IBT GmbH, Schwelm (2000-2002); Projects at Witten/Herdecke University (see "courses"); Management Zentrum Witten (MZW), Berlin (since 2004).
1.2 Research
1.2.1 Habilitation
The habilitation project is focused specifically on boundaries and their intimate relation to networks. It builds on a relaunched, operational notion of society and develops a formal model of boundaries and networks that is applied to organization, and (national) identities.
1.2.2 Preoccupation
Developing basics for a societal theory of organization and looking for tangible mechanisms which decouple and embed organizations and society.
Due to aiming for a societal theory of organization the sociologies of associations (Verbände), communication media, collective action, institutions, and social movements receive special attention, too.
1.2.3 Theory
Research interests comprise sociological theory, cognitive sociology, networks, management, systems, boundaries, and the sociology of organization.
Theoretical work focuses on the possibilities of a sociological form theory based on the calculus of indications of George Spencer Brown in connection to its dense interplay with the systems theory of Niklas Luhmann and his theory of society in particular.
The intention is a development and deployment of sociological formalisms which can guide further research on mechanisms cocerning the interplay or co-production of perception and communication. This also involves a preoccupation with network theory as presented by Harrison C. White and an examination of its form theoretical capacity.
1.2.4 Future Research Interests
Networks and Boundaries.
Management and Situations.
Recruiting, clientelization, and discipline as key mechanisms of a typically organizational yoking of communication with causality.
The social determination of sleep and the hotel as one of its organizational embodiments.
Modeling traffic behavior as a form of management of the distinction between communication and perception.
Employers' associations as networks of disciplines.
Historical and empirical accounts of the co-evolution of cities and organizations.
1.3 Contact
Contact via eMail: atha@karafillidis.com