Entries by Jeffrey Ian Ross

Recognizing the Power of Satire in Graffiti and Street Art

Multiple types of graffiti and street art can be found in public spaces throughout the world. Not only does this work transcend the techniques used in its creation, the places where it appears, but most importantly its content. Some of the most memorable, pivotal, impactful, or even shocking kinds of graffiti and street art (conveyed […]

Should Criminologists speak to the news media?

Depending on lots of factors (including your specialization, department/school, college or university, and the number and type of news media outlets where you live), academic criminologists may be asked by reporters, journalists, and other news media support personnel (like bookers) to provide commentary or analysis on crime and criminal justice related topics. More specifically, news […]

Working the Night Shift

In our postindustrial and highly diverse and urbanized world, many people navigate life during unconventional hours. One of the notable often-overlooked group that occupies this space are referred to as “night owls,” “night people,” and “night workers.” In principle, night owls, are people who “come alive” at night. We see them on the street, running, […]

Navigating “Space Invaders” in Public Life

The movement of individuals and their frequent encroachment on personal space in public settings (particularly those located in urban environments) poses unique challenges.  These encounters consist of numerous types of interactions, norms, and unwritten rules that people follow or engage in or with in a multitude of  places. These exchanges also lead to a complex […]

Would my eighth-grade typing teacher be proud of me now?

Well, that assumes she’s still alive, cares about the quirks of her former students, and, frankly, remembers me at all. Let me take you back a few decades. Grade eight typing class was one of my numerous academic struggles. My thirteen-year-old hands just wouldn’t cooperate with the commands my brain sent them. I can still […]