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Public sociology is a sociological reform movement. It embraces diverse praxes whereby sociologists, as social change agents or policy activists, express or demonstrate their human rights commitments through scholarship and sociological imagination. Comparable to civic sociology and engaged sociology, it was coined by 1988 American Sociological Association president, Herbert Gans, and endorsed by its 2004 president, Michael Burawoy.

Given that most self-identified public sociologists appear to favor left-of-center advocacy standpoints, 21st-century public sociology might be considered a successor to 20th-century radical sociology. Still, there is no reason, in principle, why an array of perspectives on social problems should not be included. Students, for their part, can explore public sociology through service-learning, internships, and other structured activities.