Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD) is the International Sociology Honor Society. Founded in 1920 at the University of Southern California by Dr. Emory S. Bogardus, AKD recognizes and promotes excellence in the study of sociology, sociological research, and engagement with social issues that contribute to the improvement of the human condition.
Today, AKD is an international community of sociology scholars, students, and faculty dedicated to scholarship, research, service, and the advancement of sociology. With more than 160,000 lifetime members and over 700 chapters, AKD connects sociologists across colleges and universities around the world.
AKD is affiliated with the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) and the American Sociological Association (ASA).
Why Does AKD Matter?
Sociology helps us understand how people, communities, institutions, and social forces shape the world around us. AKD recognizes the people who study those questions and supports their continued engagement with sociology.
As an honor society, AKD does more than recognize academic achievement. We create opportunities for members to connect, conduct research, share knowledge, support their communities, and contribute to the discipline of sociology.
Through chapters and Society-wide programs, AKD supports:
- Academic excellence by recognizing achievement in sociology
- Research and scholarship through research opportunities, grants, awards, and Sociological Inquiry
- Professional development through educational programming and connections within the sociological community
- Chapter engagement by providing resources and support for local AKD chapters
- Service and social engagement by encouraging sociologists to apply their knowledge in ways that contribute to the improvement of the human condition
Our Purpose
Alpha Kappa Delta seeks to acknowledge and promote excellence in scholarship in the study of sociology, the research of social problems, and other social and intellectual activities that contribute to the improvement of the human condition.
Our guiding principle is Anthropon Katamanthanein Diakonesein, meaning “to investigate humanity for the purpose of service.”
AKD is a non-secret, democratic, international society of scholars. As an honor society, we recognize academic achievement while providing opportunities for members to engage more deeply with sociology through research, professional development, service, and connection with other sociologists.
Our Community
Membership in AKD is open to undergraduate and graduate students who meet our eligibility requirements at active AKD chapters. Faculty members may also join through their active chapters.
Membership is more than recognition. AKD provides members with opportunities to participate in research, connect with other sociologists, access professional and academic resources, and become more engaged with the discipline.
AKD is governed by elected sociologists who are AKD members and serve as Officers and Council Members. The Society’s central Executive Office operates virtually and is staffed by an Executive Director and Finance Officer.
Supporting Sociology for More Than a Century
Founded in 1920 at the University of Southern California by Dr. Emory S. Bogardus, Alpha Kappa Delta has supported sociology and recognized excellence in the discipline for more than a century.
From its beginnings as a sociology honor society, AKD has grown into an international community of students, faculty, and scholars. Through our chapters and Society-wide programs, we provide opportunities for members to engage in research, scholarship, professional development, service, and the broader sociological community.
Today, AKD continues to build on its founding commitment to scholarship, research, and service by supporting the people who study society and helping create opportunities for sociology to make a meaningful contribution to the human condition.
More than 100 years later, our purpose remains the same: to recognize excellence in sociology and support those who investigate humanity for the purpose of service.
Sociological Inquiry
AKD publishes the quarterly journal Sociological Inquiry, currently published by Wiley.
Sociological Inquiry explores the human condition in its social and cultural complexity and welcomes theoretical and empirical work using varied approaches to the study of social and cultural life. The journal seeks scholarship that challenges traditional perspectives, identifies new areas of inquiry, and advances sociological understanding.
New members receive one year of online access to Sociological Inquiry. Members who renew their membership receive continued access for the following year.
