The theme of this year's 'Science in the City' was 'Changemakers', encouraging scientists to portray examples of how their work can effectively promote positive change in the community. The event itself, organised by the Malta Chamber of Scientists, provides an opportunity for different science students and experts to showcase their particular work as scientists, or scientists-in-training.

For two special nights a year, Science in the City provides a platform for scientists to don off their labcoats and communicate the changemaking potential of their work to school-aged children and teens, their parents and all those who are enticed to stop and participate in the magic happening at every stand.

It was during one of these nights that the Malta Sociological Association and the Department of Sociology at the University of Malta worked together on an interactive project, through which sociologists interacted with the audience by way of a simulation game, 'What if? Hot Dog Stand'.

The activity provided a playful background against which to discuss the study of sociology and the value of considering the needs of people (and society) in planning and policy development. The idea behind it, was to hold an exercise in public sociology with the aim of communicating and actively engaging with wider audiences, including those outside academia.

The game itself invited people to imagine how their lives would be impacted if a hot dog truck were to set up shop right in front of their front door.

People remarked about the inconvenience this could cause because of less available parking with the space taken up by the stationary kiosk, and the stream of customers who may access the spot either on foot or coming over by cars.

Others imagined the perennial smell of hotdogs within their homes, the constant noise of the generator, and the impact of such an establishment on street hygiene. A few were concerned with privacy, as the street would eventually be constantly under the watch of the kiosk owner and his clients.

There were a number of attendees who acknowledged they would love such a kiosk because they liked to find their evening meal ready, they loved hot dogs, or would find it very convenient when they got hungry. Some reacted angrily at the capitalistic takeover of everyday lives, some commented on the need to support young entrepreneurs.

Others still imagined what would be the ideal place for such a business, as indeed, this could be a valuable service for some community members. There were many who related to one aspect of the story or another by way of their experience. Through many conversations happening over the course of the evening, sociologists engaged with the general public and other researchers attending this event, informing about the benefits of Social Impact Assessments and encouraging more people to advocate for their use in the public sphere.

The concept of the sociological imagination, as developed by C. Wright Mills, holds significant value in the context of public sociology. The sociological imagination is essentially the ability to connect personal troubles to larger social issues. It helps people empathise with others, by recognising that their experiences are not isolated, but are shared by others facing similar social challenges. It also empowers individuals and communities to envision alternatives to current social arrangements. By connecting personal troubles to public concerns, it encourages people to take action to address societal problems collectively.

The general public engaged by critically asking their own questions about the social impact of this fictitious hot dog stand. The process was empowering, as it made them important stakeholders in the scenario happening directly on their front porch. Through this exercise they discovered a tool - Social Impact Assessments - that can help them mediate with policy makers and other stakeholders in the community, arguing about the need to consider the impact of projects and policies on people and their way of life.

This exercise in public sociology served to close the gap in translating the value of such scientific work (as is the practice of conducting a Social Impact Assessment) into practical, accessible, and actionable insights for the benefit of society, enhancing relevance and impact of sociological research. This brings to mind the words of C. Wright Mills: "Sociology is not just about statistics and numbers; it is about understanding people, relationships, and society as a whole."

The study of sociology can indeed be the route of the radical changemaker who seeks to facilitate public awareness, empathy, and action toward addressing societal challenges and promoting a more just and equitable society. For those interested to take this journey to highlight the ways in which small and large projects, policies and legislative tools impact our day-to-day lives, the newly launched Masters programme in Social Impact Analysis by the Department of Sociology at the University of Malta can provide the fuel to power this change.

Maria C. Borg is a doctoral student in Sociology at the University of Malta and Secretary of the Malta Sociological Association.