Not reading criminology? That’s criminal!
There are two kinds of criminology conversations I get embroiled in these days! Those with people who read criminology where we discuss many social/cultural phenomena under a specific lens or those with people who find criminology interesting, but consume popular crime instead. The first group with varying level of engagement is beginning to decode some tell-tell signs in current events, using their knowledge of the discipline, as a deciphering mechanism. The second group is quite different. Their understanding of crime is based on dramatisations and literary conventions around plots and characters. Even real crime is harbouring under the guise of some “exclusive” journalistic exposé…far from any basic criminological understanding.
Years ago, a colleague from Sociology told me a story regarding a family event. They were completing their PhD in the discipline, and they were questioned by an elderly person, as to what they would do when they finished their thesis. They responded in the usual way many graduate students tend to, about hoping to get into academia or get some funding for some further research. The elderly person didn’t seem satisfied…. they prompted further. What will be your specialism? What will you be able to tell people that you are proficient in? Society and people, the colleague replied! That’s hardly a skill, the old relative replied; we all live in society! The colleague was equally intrigued and offended. They thought that by offering a succinct response it would have helped their relative to understand without being confounded with notions on symbolic interactionism and ethnomethodology. This was a little anecdote that resonates with many social scientists, criminologists included, that whilst they try to explore people and culture around them, they are becoming distant to the actual people around them.
The degree of challenge in recent years seems to increase for disciplines where people in general have a vague idea of what it is. Many try to use psychological terms to explain other people’s behaviours, without realty appreciating, the clinical and scientific conditions of the term. That is relevant to criminology too. The representation of crime for public consumption has introduced some of the discipline’s terms into everyday parlance. From forensic terms on profiling, to the origins of criminality, expectations on crime are forged. A criminologist’s reaction to popular criminology pundits tends to be, well not quite, only to be met with disbelief of the criminology they know!
One of the ways to appeal to those interested in popular criminology and take them to the discipline will be to add some facts and figures that promote reality. Perhaps but that has been done before but only to give a gloss of “legitimacy” in fiction. It makes it more compelling, but it doesn’t really offer the depth of knowledge. To understand criminology, one must read criminology. The history is filled with colleagues who brought their imagination to the discipline. From Bonger’s Criminality and Economic Conditions to Jock Young and The Criminological Imagination there are books and papers that are waiting to be read by a new audience to try to figure out these ideas.
Maybe we all live in society and heard about crime and even experienced it, but to understand it we need some criminology. The discipline, as with all social sciences, is a dialogue between people ready to carry forward the next constructs that shall appear as crimes. If we read them and take part in these conversations maybe the area of harsh punishments, exclusion and persecution may not be as appealing. We are an academic discipline but at the same time we open the discussion to our community. So if you are neither a student, graduate, nor fellow academic and you are interested in criminology, why don’t you come to visit? https://www.northampton.ac.uk/about-us/contact-us/open-days/
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Who needs enemies when you have friends like this?
The so called ‘special relationship’ between the United States of America and the United Kingdom is certainly being tested at the moment. It is bizarre how the two leaders, if you can call them that, of two supposedly great nations can have their love/hate relationship played out so publicly. Remember not so long ago that cringe worthy handing over of the King’s invite by the Prime Minister to the President. This amid the fiasco of worldwide tariff hikes imposed by Donald Trump, or the Trump administration at his behest. Remember everyone globally, bar a few, running round in circles kowtowing to Trump whilst trying to get the best deal. Didn’t Trump look pleased with himself at the daily press conferences. And weren’t the United Kingdom falling over themselves with glee that they weren’t part of Europe and could get a better deal. And then we had the Ukraine war fiasco, Trump in his attempt to find peace was prepared to bully and belittle the president of Ukraine publicly. Actually, was it about finding peace or appeasing Putin, it really is quite unclear. Throw in the mix the genocidal attitudes of the Israeli government towards the Palestinians, supported by the USA, I mean what else could you call it if we are being truthful. It certainly wasn’t a measured response to Hamas’ atrocities; it is revenge and population clearance. I say is because that country is still being blockaded. Trump said he would bring peace in the Israel/Palestine conflict, and he would bring peace to Ukraine. Neither were nor could be so easily achieved. The response by Trump and his administration, start a conflict elsewhere. Of course, such a conflict suits Israel and their leader Benjamin Netenyahu. It allows the Israeli despot to continue in power despite allegations of corruption and war crimes. It allows Israel to continue its thinly veiled mission to drive the Palestinians out of the area, to land grab by opening up a second front in Lebanon. And before all this, statements by Trump that he wanted Canada to become another American state, that Greenland should be annexed, by force if necessary, and then of course the regime change in Venezuela, brought about by America’s intervention and let us not forget the murderous attacks on so called drug running boats. Blowing them out of the water seemed to be part of this what can only be described as real life gamification. You only have to listen to the rhetoric to realise this is a game to Trump and parts of his administration but with real life consequences. Eleanor Roosevelt must be turning in her grave as Israel and America attempt to trump each other on Human Rights and International Law violations. And yet nobody seems to be stopping them, nobody seems to dare, something reminiscent of Hitler’s rise in the 1930s. Somewhat Ironic given that the Israeli state was borne out of the atrocities of the Hitler’s regime. So, when Trump asked, nay demanded that the UK and others fall in behind the war game against Iran it is hardly surprising that the answer was no. This of course was met by a tantrum, toys thrown out of the pram stuff, that a two-year-old would have been proud of and some ‘really mean’ name calling with regards to the UK prime minister. Special relationship, more like an infantile friendship? And, when Israel hit Iran’s oil refinery the response from Trump was very much ‘That’s another nice mess you got me into’. As we watch oil prices go up, as Ukraine fears more Russian attacks funded by the lifting of embargoes by the US on Russian oil, as the people of Gaza and Lebanon fight for survival and as countries around the world ask themselves what next, one thing is certain, we don’t need enemies when we have friends like this.
As Donald Trump said, ‘when crazy people have nuclear weapons, bad things happen’. I think we’d all agree with that sentiment. Res ipsa loquitur.
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Self-Care: A Criminologist’s Confession
Let me be upfront, I study crime for a living. I am not a wellness guru. I do not own a journal with an inspirational quote on the cover and I have never once made a green smoothie by choice. So if you were expecting expert advice, I apologise. What I do have is a recently sustained injury, a pair of retired running shoes (not the picture above!), and something to say about all of it.
Back in November, I got injured during a light gym sesh. Nothing dramatic, no heroic story involving a marathon finish line or a training montage. My body simply decided it had opinions, and I had to stop running. For someone who uses running to decompress, that was not ideal. Turns out when you take away the one thing that clears your head, your head gets quite crowded.
Now, before I go any further, I need to take a moment to salute my old running shoes, ASICS Gel. It was fire! Two years of loyalty, two years of 6am starts, two years of rain, wind and whatever else the British weather threw at us, two years of bad days turned around, two years of grinding when the motivation was nowhere to be found. Never complained. Never let me down. Absolute workhorse!!. Round of applause for these guys. Rest well.
I did want to include a photo as a tribute. My wife looked at it this morning and said, “nah, that’s ugly, delete it.” So. No photo. The shoes deserved better and apparently so do you.
In their place, there is a new sheriff in town as you can see up there. Fresh out of the box, and performing very well so far. No complaints. High hopes. ASICS, run me my influencer cheque quick!!!!
Getting back into running after time off is humbling. Your lungs have apparently moved on with their lives. Your legs remember nothing. But we are getting there, slowly, steadily, without any illusions of grandeur. Some days are better than others. The weather has not always helped, although getting better.
But then, getting back to it, however slowly, has reminded me how much I had let self-care slide. It is easy to do. Life gets busy, work piles up, and suddenly taking care of yourself feels like one more thing on the to-do list.
So, from one person who is very much a work in progress: take care of yourselves. Whatever that looks like for you. It does not have to be running. It does not have to be anything impressive. It just has to be something.
I’ll be back with an update on how the new ones are getting on. Fingers crossed they have what it takes to fill those shoes. Literally.
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To be a keeper of these stories. A collector of trust.
I think this will be somewhat of a poem; I guess.
About all the tears I’ve held space for lately.
There has been quite a lot. Is it any surprise?
Big ones, small ones. Happy and sad ones. Not really sure why ones.
‘cept it’s the happy ones I want to share today.
They’ve got me thinking. Reflecting.
A proper headshake, actually.
It’s not the best space for sensitive conversations but it’s what we’ve got. I wait and I wait. Sometimes a flurry. Sometimes not. The enthusiasm is sometimes hard to muster. If I’m really being honest. But wait I do. And wait I shall. Oftentimes it’s a woman, who needs another. It’s a gift I’ve got, I suppose. “I’ve never seen her sit and talk with someone like this” An aura, someone once said. Lures people in and their story they are compelled to tell. I’ve tried to teach it. We give and we take from every interaction. You just have to be aware enough to see it. There’s been some big ones just lately. And what a pleasure it’s been.
She’s a ‘do it all’ Black mother.
A woman of incredible resilience.
We’ve been speaking for months now. Bit of this. Bit of that.
A call from the school one day, her son has self-harmed.
What do I say, she asks.
Everything is money. Money I don’t have.
She checks her sugars. Low again.
I can’t afford this canteen food.
Have to make a poster. Sustainable practice or something like that.
All this technology she says, I’m too slow.
I do what I can. Build her up. See her again.
I do what I can. Build her up. See her again.
There’s a little bit more brightness every time I do.
It’s Friday before last, how was your session I ask.
I was in a room with women doctors she says.
Little old me. I could never. Right at the start…and I don’t think I’m going to make it.
Can you believe it? she says. Women…with PhDs. Not me.
“Back home women get no such thing.” No no. Daren’t even dream.
Days roll on until a week's gone by.
She prances across the library. Beaming.
She’s come to share her joy with me.
A 60 she says. A 60!
My boys are so proud of me. Maybe I’ll make it after all.
Another. Working, studying, working, studying.
Mum needs the money. Physio for the cancer in her bones, she says.
She’s avoiding my questions about rest and nourishment.
Surviving on Mum’s joy receiving another ‘Look what I’ve done.’
This is just a flying visit though. Easy fix, I thought.
We’ve been here a while. Lingering.
I think I’ve said something wrong. She’s welling up again.
No. I’m so grateful to be here she says...with all you kind people.
I ask what she needs. Its courage, she says.
I write it out. A post-it note. Just the trick.
What would my most courageous self do?
Stick it to the fridge I say.
Mine is bravery. I share.
An inspiration! she cries. An inspiration? I cry.
I’m going to make it across that stage one day, she says. Yes, I am.
Her story. Quite overwhelming actually.
Though not easily shaken. I’m taken aback.
Intimate partner violence a divorce did not remedy.
A home of her own, apparently not to be.
In the hospital every other week.
The victim of a scam I realise as we speak.
Held up at every angle.
Yet she shows up. She shows up. She shows up.
It’s what we do, isn’t it?
It’s too much. Quitting. she says. Though I can’t say I believe it.
We’re here for 90 minutes. It’s all out on the table.
I hardly say a word really. I’m all ears, kind eyes and the occasional shoulder pat.
A breakthrough.
Look at me here laughing with you now.
What a relief. To be heard. Maybe I’ll be able to sleep tonight.
Its all stuck with me, a sort of niggle.
I thought I knew what I was doing. I thought I was grateful for it all.
But to be a keeper of these stories. A collector of trust. I realise I was nothing of the sort.
So, on my own journey, I start anew, and that’s thanks to all of you.
This healing thing. Tricky business, really.
Reader, if you find yourself saying I HAVE TO this week.
That meeting, That essay. That commute.
Consider I GET TO
Because not everyone does and some that do give more than we can imagine, even just to be in the room with us.
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Happy Birthday: The Blog in Pictures, Numbers and Words
Tuesday marked the 8th “official” birthday of our blog. I say official because although the site was created in November of 2016, the writing did not start in earnest until 3 March. Since that early foray into blogging, we’ve managed collectively to clock up quite a few vital statistics
Our 78 bloggers are made of the Criminology Team (both past and present), students and graduates, as well as a number of honorary criminologists. Some have written only one entry, perhaps reflecting on their dissertation, while others have and continue to contribute on a regular or ad hoc basis. It has to be said that 9 of our top 20 most read entries come from students/graduates, another two come from non-criminologists. Certainly graduate and student entries are always very popular. Our most read, continues to be the front page which contains the latest entries, but many of our entries have shown remarkable longevity. For instance, then student, now graduate, Natalie’s (@criminologysocietyuon) thoughts around the “true crime” documentary Betty Broderick remains our most read individual entry, clocking up views ever since the day it was published. This demonstrates the enormous appetite for “true crime” that many people have. Likewise, Dr Stephen O’Brien’s (@anfieldbhoy) reflections on the 30th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster continues to be well-read, particularly around the anniversary on 15 April. In the words of the poet, Ella Wheeler Wilcox: ‘No question is ever settled, until it is settled right’ and there is certainly a long way to go to obtain justice for the 97.
As can be seen from the word cloud, which appears on the front page of the blog and below, Criminology unsurprisingly occupies the attention of most of our bloggers and entries. However, it is also clear that social injustice, inequalities and various forms of violence appear regularly within our writing. There is also a strong focus on learning and teaching, as well as evidence of the lasting generational impact of the Covid-19 pandemic (our best year for readership to date).
As you can see from the map the majority of our readers come from the UK and the USA, but we’ve also captured the criminological imagination of people from a diverse range of countries ranging from Albania to Zambia. Some of the countries can be explained through our bloggers’ diverse heritage, for instance, Greece, Nigeria, USA have obvious connections, others, we’ve no idea how our words have spread so far. Nevertheless, it is a very exciting to see the blog’s global reach.
As the saying goes, from small acorns to giant oaks, the germ of an idea has spread beyond any of our wildest dreams. The number of blog entries continues to grow on a weekly basis, it seems we never run out of criminological matters to write about. It has given all of us a space to ponder, to muse, to write through dark days and celebrations, and to continue to engage in Public Criminology. Similarly, the number of bloggers steadily rises, some are in their earliest foray into discovering Criminology, some have years of immersion in the discipline, but we are all learners. In the words of Nelson Mandela: ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’ so why would we ever want to stop learning?
When we started, we thought the blog would last for a year, maybe, either we’d run out of things to write about or we’d find other things to do with our time. Neither has happened and it seems there is still plenty of appetite from our bloggers and our readers. To both we raise a glass, without you, none of this would have been possible, so thank you! Now, let’s see how long we can keep this up!
Thoughts from the criminology team 
