In memory of Giovanni Battista Sgritta

Abstract

On 28 February 2021, Giovanni Battista Sgritta, professor emeritus of Sociology at Sapienza University of Rome has left us, at the age of 78, leaving an indelible mark in our lives. Managing editor of the International Review of Sociology, which he guided in his capacity as editor from 2010 up to retirement, he oversaw in his life relevant academic responsibilities. He was Director of the Department of Demography of Sapienza University of Rome; he has also for many years been guiding the School of Specialization in ‘Methods and Techniques for Social Research’, which over time turned into a Master program without changing its denomination. He was also assigned to prestigious positions at the international level, for example as with his role of president of the European Observatory on National Family Policies, where he remained for 15 years. He also represented a main point of reference for some key national research institutes such as the Italian Institute of Statistics (Istat), the Irpps-Cnr, and the Cnel, participating actively with his expertise into a variety of surveys and research. Finally, it is worth pointing out his generous contributions to the EspaNet network, both in the quality of his membeshipr of the scientific committee, and as coordinator of plenary sessions and thematic panels on occasion of the annual conference. In his research activity, he dealt with social inequalities, poverty, and the difficult processes of inclusion of those who are on disconnected existential trajectories. Through time he has shifted his focus from childhood to adulthood, to eventually concentrate on old age. In this volume, we publish an Obituary by Fiorenza Deriu recalling the relevance of his scientific contribution. By contrast, in this brief editorial note, we – as current and past editors of the journal – wish to remind him in a coral memento of a dearest friend. For all of us, Giovanni Battista Sgritta was a scholar of excellence with a gruff, critical character, hard even on himself, but of great scientific value and with a multiplicity of interests crossed with an interdisciplinary methodological approach. He was gifted with an immense intellectual curiosity and an intense willingness to listen. Christianity informed a commitment that was genuine and strong, indeed central to his intellectual and professional life, as shown by his studies on inequalities and poverty. These studies embodied his unswerving ideal of service and are one of the most valuable and significant legacies of his work. We cannot forget Gianni’s dedication to his students. Even during periods in which, for various reasons, the number of students in the classrooms dwindled, students loved to attend his lectures. They were students of Statistical Sciences; for them sociology was a fundamental topic, but less demanding than methodological subjects like statistics or mathematics. However, with Gianni they understood that sociology is a real science, intertwined with other social sciences like economics and law, but also cross-fertilized with fields ranging from statistics to demographics. In our view, society needs people like Giovanni Battista Sgritta, even more at this time, when we are overwhelmed by an epochal change that requires a change in perspective. In one of his last interviews, republished on IRSblog soon after his death, Gianni said: