Ieva Dryžaitė

Sociologist-Researcher, Kaunas County Public Oak Grove Library, Lithuania

Ieva Dryžaitė works at the intersection of academia and culture, seeking to connect research with everyday life and public spaces. She holds a PhD in Sociology, and her research interests include precarity, economy, new poverty, social suffering, gender, family, and time. Ieva studied Sociology at Vytautas Magnus University and the University of Alicante, and has participated in international programs in Italy, Spain, and the USA. Since 2014, she has taken part in various national and international projects, conducting academic and applied sociological research with both quantitative and qualitative methods. Her research has been shared through publications, conferences, and educational activities aimed at different audiences. Beyond academia, Ieva promotes public sociology through the initiative #SociologySkrynelė and coordinates the social club “Pasibalbatuokim”, where people from different backgrounds are invited to meet each other, share their ideas, and engage in respectful and meaningful discussions.

Practising everyday democracy through dialogue

The concept of democracy is often narrowly framed, focusing on formal procedures rather than everyday practices. In political contexts, neoliberal ideology establishes a limited conception of democratic quality, where voter turnout and occasional involvement in local decisions are considered sufficient (Näsström & Kalm, 2015). Such a narrow view neglects citizens as active co-creators of social agreements (McCluskey 2018). The Oak Grow Public Library hosts the social club Pasibalbatuokim, which embodies the idea of practising democracy in everyday life by inviting people to meet, exchange views, and engage in dialogue. The club’s goal is to foster a respectful culture of conversation that expands the boundaries of participants’ understanding. Participation requires moving beyond social bubbles, accepting differences, listening carefully, and engaging in thoughtful and respectful debate. Meetings explore a range of topics, from human trafficking and shame to contemporary parenting, gaming, and neurodiversity. This allows members to connect their personal experiences with broader social issues. The presentation will introduce the club’s activities and reflect on how initiatives like this contribute to an inclusive, everyday democratic culture.

Date and time: 2025-12-03, 09:30-09:50 (20 min)

Hall: ALFA