Herbert J. Gans, a Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany and influential sociologist, died at 97. A Columbia University professor, he examined media, poverty, class, and urban issues. Gans embraced a participatory approach to research, prioritizing community interaction. He contributed to the Kerner Commission report condemning systemic racism and advocated for free expression. Notably, he sought to connect sociology to the quest for a just society, identifying as a left liberal, and was committed to promoting more egalitarian ideals through democratic means.
Dr. Gans aimed to connect his research with the lives of ordinary people, posing the question: 'What is a good society, and how can sociology help bring it about?'
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