r rHE BRITISH Sociological Association, founded in I95I, held its flrst Conference at Queen Elizabeth College (University of London) from . S the 27th to sgth March, I953. This event marked the completion of the formative stage of the Association's existence, since the other activities foreshadowed in its statement of aimsthe holding of meetings in London and elsewhere and the circulation of the British JogrnaZ of Sociology and other literature to members on special terms-had already been started. It was natural that this, the most ambitious of its purposes, should be the last to be realized. The Conference was attended by s33 persons of whom I25 were members of the Association. The theme was Social Policy and the Social Sciences2'. The choice is signiScant In the first place one notices the emphasis on the practical application of the social sciences to the affairs of the contemporaw world. This illustrates the belief of the initiators of the Conference that the Association must, from the first, make known not only the fact of its existence but also the scope and nature of its work and interests to those engaged in politics and administration. The two sides must become well acquainted with one arlother. Only then will it be possible to see the lines of the dirrision of labour between them. It became apparent that no sharp line could be drawn between the academic and the practical. There is a place for social scientists among the men of affairs and for men of affairs among the social scientists. And this mingling of the two camps is not merely something to be desired; it already exists. Secondly, the wording of the title chosen for the theme of the Conference indicates that the Association, although it attaches great importance to the word sociological in its name, does not confine its membership to professional sociologists, nor attempt to draw any sharp dividing line between sociology and the other social sciences. It was the view of those who planned the Conference, so I believe (and this is not an oiEcial report,