The Department of Sociology focuses in teaching and research primarily on the following topics: 1) capitalism in post-socialist Europe, 2) the production of ideologies, as well as 3) identity and social movements.

With regard to capitalism in post-socialist Europe, the department's activities mainly focus on the sub-topics inequality and discrimination, the welfare state, gender, entrepreneurship and economic elites, organized crime, the workers' movement, migration processes, as well as the effects of the EU's Eastern expansion.

Within the range of topics associated with ideology production, identity and social movements, the department’s central concerns are minorities, nationalism, religious movements, conservative contestations of gender and empowerment, youth politics, as well as research on stereotypes and prejudice.

The department's regional focus comprises the successor states of the Soviet Union, as well as Central and Eastern Europe, although comparative perspectives are also embraced.