Dave Elder-Vass is a British Academy postdoctoral fellow at the University of Essex. His primary research interests are in sociological theory, particularly the questions of structure and agency, the relationship between realism and social construction, and the analysis and critique of social and political power.
Review of the hardback: 'Dave Elder-Vass has written a book of exceptional clarity in defence of realist ontology with an unusual generosity of examples. His 'relational theory of emergence' is so restrained that philosophical opponents will find it hard to rebutt; whether his notion of 'relationality' is sufficiently rich may provoke more debate amongst sociologists.' Margaret S. Archer, University of Warwick 'The Causal Power of Social Structures is a well-written and conceptually clear analysis of the central question of critical realism and a realist approach. Elder-Vass presents many concrete examples from daily life, which help to explain the abstract theoretical consideration in a more concrete way … His book clearly shows the meaning of detailed ontological analysis for social theory and the social sciences.' Pekka Kuusela, Organization Studies 'Dave Elder-Vass has written a very useful book … the single most valuable feature … is that it begins with all three of the assumptions in place that are necessary for clear-cut debate regarding whether or not social structures can do things …' Ruth Porter Groff, Metascience