Рresented is an interview with V.A. Mansurov, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor, Head of the Sociology of Professions and Professional Groups Sector of the Institute of Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, President of the Russian Society of Sociologists (ROS) since 1997. In the biographical context, the issues are considered related to the history of the formation of the of the sociology of professions and professional groups studies as a successor to the studies of the intelligentsia, its potential in solving the problems of modern Russian society, as well as the activities of the RSS, an authoritative Russian professional community. Today, the Russian Society of Sociologists has more than 4,000 individual members, 76 regional branches, 42 research committees. RSS holds All-Russian sociological congresses every four years and is a member of the International as well as European Sociological Associations. This professional public association organizes large-scale All-Russian researches on topical social problems. The interview focuses on assessing the state of the Russian Society of Sociologists organizational activities, its international relations, issues of professional ethics, as well as prospects for the development of sociology in Russia.