Introduction1.1 The papers in this special issue of Sociological Research Online were all presented at the BritishSociological Association Annual Conference, held at the University of York in March 2004. The conferencetheme was ‘Sociological Challenges: Conflict, Anxiety and Discontent’. As members of the organisingcommittee we wanted to ensure that a selection of the best papers was published in an accessible outlet.We are delighted to guest edit this special issue which show cases some of the most innovative andinsightful work in the field. We will be following this up with a further special issue next March focusing onthe theme of ‘Politics, Responsibility and Risk’.1.2 Tragically while this special issue was being assembled, one of the contributors, Sue Innes, died aftermany months of being diagnosed with a brain tumour. Sue was Research Fellow at the Centre for Researchon Families and Relationships, Glasgow Caledonian University in 2001 and again in 2004 and 2005. Shewas a founder of Engender, the Scottish women's research and information organisation and perhaps bestknown for her publication, Making It Work, which looked at the challenges facing women and work in the1990s. It is highly fitting that this special issue is dedicated to her memory.1.3 In this brief editorial we explain the intellectual rationale for this special issue and the significance of thechosen papers for current sociological debates. The 2004 conference was designed to focus upon how thetask of sociology is defined by the social conflicts that take place in modern societies. We wanteddelegates to consider how the sociological imagination is animated by issues of social division, economichardship, cultural disadvantage and political oppression and how under these circumstances, our disciplineis in constant debate, defining its social role and value. We sought to encourage debate in relation to theimpending ecological crisis, the negative consequences of neo-liberal capitalism, the extreme inequalitiesbetween the developed and developing world and the aggravated uncertainties associated with anintensifying experience of rapid social and technological change. In organising the conference we hoped toprovide opportunities for delegates to debate the sociological challenges that continue to define ourdiscipline, as well as those that are emerging as the core concerns for social life in the twenty-first century.We asked the question: how might sociology venture to identify its purpose and identity in the world itseeks to explain?1.4 We invited papers addressing the following themes:Embodied expressions and oppressionIntimacy, work and family lifePolitics, responsibility and neglectCulture, conflict and everyday lifeThe challenge to sociological theoryTeaching and learningSpecial plenary sessions were organised to provide the intellectual context for the shifting sociologicalagenda. Professor Sue Scott, from the University of Durham, presented a talk on ‘Sexuality, Anxiety andthe Challenge to Sociology’ which highlighted key sexual antimonies that characterise everyday life in the21st century. The final plenary was given by Professor Joan Busfield from the University of Essex, whotalked about ‘Pills, Power, People’ and how sociological analysis can further understandings of the growingimpact of the pharmaceutical industry on our lives. We also held two social theory roundtables‘Sociologists and their audiences’ and ‘The future of the social’, as well as a lively roundtable on risk,entitled ‘The social reality of risk’.1.5 Within this special conference issue, these ‘best papers’ are organised around the theme of ‘Intimacy,work and family life’ since this stream produced some of the most lively and significant contributions. Giventhe diverse range of papers the selection process for inclusion in this special issue was not an easy task.