The streets, utility poles, and back alleys of large urban centers in most big cities are epicenters for all manner of graffiti and street art.
Predictably this activity engenders lots of responses. Notwithstanding the longstanding desire by property owners, ghost buffers, and moral entrepreneurs to deter this activity and remove this work from the surfaces upon which it has been placed, one of the more prominent reactions has been attempts to understand it.
But how does one go about comprehending graffiti and street art that goes beyond “common sense” explanations, and ones that are simply anecdotal, impressionistic, and unsystematic?
The answer is probably conducting and producing academic research in a way that not simply makes sense of graffiti and street art, but has analytic teeth.
Thankfully, over the past half century a growing number of experts from practitioners to scholars, from different academic disciplines, have tried to understand and explain graffiti and street art.
That’s why a fledgling social scientific approach to graffiti and street art (sometimes labelled Graffiti and Street Art Research Studies -GSRS) has developed.
Although this method od understanding and explaining this important type of urban art has produced numerous peer-reviewed articles that have been published in scholarly journals and chapters in academic books, books (from sole-authored to encyclopedias) published by scholarly presses, and the creation of two academic journals specifically devoted to graffiti and street art, in many respect the field is still in its infancy.
Why?
Occasionally meetings that include presentations of academic papers on graffiti and street art, like The Tag Conference, and the Urban Creativity occur, but this does not happen frequent enough.
Although a monthly extremely helpful graffiti and street art scholarly network meets on-line, this appears to be a very labor intense and greatly depends on the energy and commitment of one person.
Most importantly, to date a systematic content analysis of the scholarship on graffiti and street art has not been conducted. This is a labor intense and mostly tedious activity, but it could produce a necessary framing and benchmark for future scholarship in this nascent field.
Wrapping Up
Understandably it’s difficult to tell scholars, regardless of their expertise and specialization, what to study, what to conduct research on and what to publish. And this process is often dependent on grant funding, but a systematic stocktaking that happens on a regular basis may help to guide scholars of GSAR towards more promising research.
Until these larger issues are addressed the scholarly study of graffiti and street will seem to move along slowly and in some respects at a haphazard pace.
Photo Credit:
Photographer: Eric Lewis
Title Clothes pile
https://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/1947432157_f8225c80b5_c.jpg640800Jeffrey Ian Rosshttps://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/jeffrey-ian-ross-logo-04.pngJeffrey Ian Ross2023-10-07 12:53:552023-10-07 13:04:37Taking stock of the scholarly study of graffiti and street art
In bustling urban environments various businesses exist, each selecting the locations where to operate based on factors like rent, profitability, and access to customers, suppliers, workers etc..
In addition to the more well-known and visible commercial entities (such as retail establishments), numerous service and manufacturing businesses operate in less conspicuous areas—industrial/office parks, suburbs, on the web, and back alleys. Although they are less noticeable, these businesses play a crucial role in providing for and servicing the needs of their customers.
They are typically run by sole operators, often with gruff demeanors, who operate in a no frills and more informal manner, and provide licensed and sometimes unlicensed automotive repair services.
Back alley mechanics also frequently specialize in repairing particular makes of cars (e.g., European, Japanese, Scandinavian), or offering unique services like autobody, battery, spring, tire, etc. repair and replacement.
Unlike many car repair venues where customers may only speak with the service representative or manager, or owner of the business, and due to numerous factors, such as the size and make-up of their clientele, back alley mechanics can provide a more personalized experience, building closer relationships with their clients, getting the job done right the first time, and offering shorter wait times.
Moreover, back alley mechanics often accommodate unique requests (like installing customer supplied parts and making modifications to them) and work on older or less common vehicle models that larger shops might neglect.
Most importantly they usually charge lower rates compared to established standalone auto repair shops, including those located at corner gas stations and part of car dealerships.
Altogether many back alley mechanics may develop sterling reputations within their local communities, fostering a stream of loyal customers through repeat business and word-of-mouth recommendations.
That being said, back alley mechanics, have some potential disadvantages.
Unlike established auto repair shops, some back alley mechanics are difficult to locate. For one reason or another they may not show up on your GPS.
Further, some back ally mechanics may be skittish on providing warranties, which means that if post-repair issues come up it may be a hassle for the customer. This issue comes hand in glove as many of them operate a cash-only based business which contributes to their lower rates, but makes also it difficult to resolve disputes if you have one with them.
Sometimes the back ally mechanics do not have proper tools, diagnostic equipment, and quality replacement parts that if installed could compromise the operability, safety and longevity of your vehicle.
Lastly, depending on the jurisdiction they are located in, unlicensed mechanics could run afoul of legal regulations, potentially impacting your car insurance coverage.
This is why it’s important to realize that while back alley mechanics offer a unique and sometimes an advantageous option for automotive repairs, the potential drawbacks must be considered.
Like any thoughtful consumer, whether you choose to service your car at the dealership where you once bought it, or from a back alley mechanic, it’s essential to carefully consider your specific circumstances and the reputation of the mechanic before entrusting your vehicle to their care.
Dedicated to Tak, one of the best back alley mechanics that ever operated in Toronto
Photo:
Title Mechanic
SOURCE: www.gratisography.com/
https://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/14168867527_4f1c88e421_c.jpg533799Jeffrey Ian Rosshttps://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/jeffrey-ian-ross-logo-04.pngJeffrey Ian Ross2023-09-30 15:26:442023-09-30 15:26:44In Praise of Back Alley Mechanics
One of the many questions Criminologists have, especially those aspiring to become university professors, is should they conduct research in collaboration with local criminal justice organizations?
Satisfactorily answering this question is difficult and there is neither a single, nor a simple answer. Why? There are lots of conflicting messages that Criminologists are given and trying to sort out what makes sense on an individual basis is challenging.
For example, depending on a job candidate’s background, members of an academic department recruitment committee, in an effort to convince the individual that their institution is an attractive employment option, may enthusiastically promote the potential for forming research partnerships with local criminal justice agencies, and painting a picture of these organizations as welcoming collaborators. Whereas the reality may be something completely different.
That being said, both job candidates and criminologists working in academic departments should carefully assess the advantages and disadvantages of embarking on this path before they invest considerable resources and find that they are totally frustrated with the outcome.
Advantages
There are at least seven benefits when professors from local universities co-produce research with nearby criminal justice agencies (they are rank ordered from least to most important)
To begin with, building a research partnership with a local criminal justice agency may not only facilitate hands on learning experiences for some of your more motivated students, but it may also provide data for their masters thesi or doctoral dissertations and/or pave the way for future employment for them.
Additionally, working closely with the local criminal justice agency may lead to valuable networking opportunities. This can help to build and sustain relationships that may lead to additional future research collaborations or job opportunities.
Moreover, collaborative efforts may result in tangible and practical results, such as reducing official crime rates, increasing officer retention, and enhancing community satisfaction. In other words, this type of research might provide a practical and relevant dimension to academic work.
Conducting research with a local agency often provides access to valuable data and resources that may be otherwise difficult to obtain.
Collaborative projects with criminal justice agencies may open doors to additional funding sources and grants, which may not be available to Criminologists who have not decided to partner.
Furthermore, the experience gained through partnerships can enrich the Criminologist’s teaching, enabling them to bring real-world examples and insights into their classrooms, which can benefit students.
Finally, and most importantly, conducting research with local criminal justice agencies may lead to a series of important scholarly publications, than what might be afforded through alternative strategies.
Disadvantages:
Partnering with local criminal justice organizations is also fraught with challenges. There are at least nine prominent drawbacks that Criminologists should be aware of.
To begin, although you might think that any self-respecting criminal justice agency would welcome your expertise, and be willing to partner. But criminal justice agencies may be skeptical about the need for external researchers mulling through their records, data, or obseserving their activities. Building trust can be a challenging process, and not all agencies will readily embrace outside assistance.
In a parallel manner, agencies may be hesitant to partner due to past negative experiences with other outside researchers or organizations that have since departed.
Not only inside your academic department, but within your university and beyond, there may be professors or departments with existing research relationships with local criminal justice organizations. This might lead to collaborative opportunities, but more likely competition for scarce resources.
Another point to consider is that the objectives and priorities of a university researcher and a criminal justice agency may not always align. For example the scholar may be interested in improving conditions inside a correctional facility, but the management would rather have you do work on employee retention.
Similarly researchers may have to compromise on their autonomy and research agenda, as projects with organizations may be guided by the agency’s needs and priorities.
Also it may be very difficult to get access to sensitive data and this may raise ethical and legal concerns.
Most importantly, establishing and maintaining research partnerships usually require long-term commitments. And sometimes these relationships go bust. For example, a new police chief/commissioner is hired, they worked in a city on the other side of the country, and they want nothing to do with you or your university. Or they have colleagues that they worked with in their previous position that they prefer working with.
This investment may divert your attention away from publishing, teaching, service activities and family and friends.
Alternatively, if you have a variety of different/diverse scholarly research interests, anticipate changing universities that are geographically distant from the local criminal justice agency, or you are considering moving into university administration (positions where conducting research is much harder to do) then forging a research partnership with a local criminal justice agency might not be wise. In other words, it may be difficult to justify the initial investment to spend on the collaboration.
Making Peace with your decision
The decision to partner with local criminal justice agencies is a complex one, one that should be carefully considered, including a engaging in relatively sophisticated cost-benefit calculation. The decision and process should align with your career goals, your department’s, college’s and university’s organizational culture, the specific agency’s needs and receptiveness, and your willingness to make a long-term commitment.
Ultimately, while partnerships with local organizations can be rewarding, they require careful consideration and a nuanced approach to navigate the potential advantages and disadvantages.
Co-producing research with a local criminal justice agency can offer numerous advantages and opportunities for criminologists working at a university.
However, this relationship also comes with its own set of challenges and potential disadvantages.
Ultimately, the decision to partner, as well as the individual researcher’s career goals and interests is a personal one.
Effective communication, clear expectations, and a shared commitment to the goals of the partnership can help mitigate some of the challenges and maximize the advantages.
Photo: Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing in the Hollywood movie “Top Hat”
https://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2023-09-20-at-3.53.40-PM.png641562Jeffrey Ian Rosshttps://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/jeffrey-ian-ross-logo-04.pngJeffrey Ian Ross2023-09-21 14:24:282024-02-04 12:45:29Should Criminologists partner with local Criminal Justice Agencies to conduct research?
Taking stock of the scholarly study of graffiti and street art
/by Jeffrey Ian RossThe streets, utility poles, and back alleys of large urban centers in most big cities are epicenters for all manner of graffiti and street art.
Predictably this activity engenders lots of responses. Notwithstanding the longstanding desire by property owners, ghost buffers, and moral entrepreneurs to deter this activity and remove this work from the surfaces upon which it has been placed, one of the more prominent reactions has been attempts to understand it.
But how does one go about comprehending graffiti and street art that goes beyond “common sense” explanations, and ones that are simply anecdotal, impressionistic, and unsystematic?
The answer is probably conducting and producing academic research in a way that not simply makes sense of graffiti and street art, but has analytic teeth.
Thankfully, over the past half century a growing number of experts from practitioners to scholars, from different academic disciplines, have tried to understand and explain graffiti and street art.
That’s why a fledgling social scientific approach to graffiti and street art (sometimes labelled Graffiti and Street Art Research Studies -GSRS) has developed.
Although this method od understanding and explaining this important type of urban art has produced numerous peer-reviewed articles that have been published in scholarly journals and chapters in academic books, books (from sole-authored to encyclopedias) published by scholarly presses, and the creation of two academic journals specifically devoted to graffiti and street art, in many respect the field is still in its infancy.
Why?
Occasionally meetings that include presentations of academic papers on graffiti and street art, like The Tag Conference, and the Urban Creativity occur, but this does not happen frequent enough.
Although a monthly extremely helpful graffiti and street art scholarly network meets on-line, this appears to be a very labor intense and greatly depends on the energy and commitment of one person.
Moreover, very few classes on graffiti and street art are taught or offered at art schools, liberal arts colleges, and universities.
Likewise, there are no university level programs in graffiti studies and street art at institutions of higher learning.
Relatedly, very few regularly published stockkeepings of the subject matter are conducted; ones that would evaluate where the research has been and where it needs to go to advance the scholarly study of graffiti and street art.
Most importantly, to date a systematic content analysis of the scholarship on graffiti and street art has not been conducted. This is a labor intense and mostly tedious activity, but it could produce a necessary framing and benchmark for future scholarship in this nascent field.
Wrapping Up
Understandably it’s difficult to tell scholars, regardless of their expertise and specialization, what to study, what to conduct research on and what to publish. And this process is often dependent on grant funding, but a systematic stocktaking that happens on a regular basis may help to guide scholars of GSAR towards more promising research.
Until these larger issues are addressed the scholarly study of graffiti and street will seem to move along slowly and in some respects at a haphazard pace.
Photo Credit:
Photographer: Eric Lewis
Title Clothes pile
In Praise of Back Alley Mechanics
/by Jeffrey Ian RossIn bustling urban environments various businesses exist, each selecting the locations where to operate based on factors like rent, profitability, and access to customers, suppliers, workers etc..
In addition to the more well-known and visible commercial entities (such as retail establishments), numerous service and manufacturing businesses operate in less conspicuous areas—industrial/office parks, suburbs, on the web, and back alleys. Although they are less noticeable, these businesses play a crucial role in providing for and servicing the needs of their customers.
One interesting and colorful subset of these businesses are back alley mechanics. This sector of the economy, is often located behind buildings and down laneways in ethnic neighborhoods (e.g., Chinatown, Little Italy), or “the hood.”
They are typically run by sole operators, often with gruff demeanors, who operate in a no frills and more informal manner, and provide licensed and sometimes unlicensed automotive repair services.
Back alley mechanics also frequently specialize in repairing particular makes of cars (e.g., European, Japanese, Scandinavian), or offering unique services like autobody, battery, spring, tire, etc. repair and replacement.
Unlike many car repair venues where customers may only speak with the service representative or manager, or owner of the business, and due to numerous factors, such as the size and make-up of their clientele, back alley mechanics can provide a more personalized experience, building closer relationships with their clients, getting the job done right the first time, and offering shorter wait times.
Moreover, back alley mechanics often accommodate unique requests (like installing customer supplied parts and making modifications to them) and work on older or less common vehicle models that larger shops might neglect.
Most importantly they usually charge lower rates compared to established standalone auto repair shops, including those located at corner gas stations and part of car dealerships.
Altogether many back alley mechanics may develop sterling reputations within their local communities, fostering a stream of loyal customers through repeat business and word-of-mouth recommendations.
That being said, back alley mechanics, have some potential disadvantages.
Unlike established auto repair shops, some back alley mechanics are difficult to locate. For one reason or another they may not show up on your GPS.
Also the people working on your car might lack formal training, certifications, and be unlicensed, risking subpar work and incomplete repairs.
Further, some back ally mechanics may be skittish on providing warranties, which means that if post-repair issues come up it may be a hassle for the customer. This issue comes hand in glove as many of them operate a cash-only based business which contributes to their lower rates, but makes also it difficult to resolve disputes if you have one with them.
Sometimes the back ally mechanics do not have proper tools, diagnostic equipment, and quality replacement parts that if installed could compromise the operability, safety and longevity of your vehicle.
Lastly, depending on the jurisdiction they are located in, unlicensed mechanics could run afoul of legal regulations, potentially impacting your car insurance coverage.
This is why it’s important to realize that while back alley mechanics offer a unique and sometimes an advantageous option for automotive repairs, the potential drawbacks must be considered.
Like any thoughtful consumer, whether you choose to service your car at the dealership where you once bought it, or from a back alley mechanic, it’s essential to carefully consider your specific circumstances and the reputation of the mechanic before entrusting your vehicle to their care.
Dedicated to Tak, one of the best back alley mechanics that ever operated in Toronto
Photo:
Title Mechanic
SOURCE: www.gratisography.com/
Should Criminologists partner with local Criminal Justice Agencies to conduct research?
/by Jeffrey Ian RossOne of the many questions Criminologists have, especially those aspiring to become university professors, is should they conduct research in collaboration with local criminal justice organizations?
Satisfactorily answering this question is difficult and there is neither a single, nor a simple answer. Why? There are lots of conflicting messages that Criminologists are given and trying to sort out what makes sense on an individual basis is challenging.
For example, depending on a job candidate’s background, members of an academic department recruitment committee, in an effort to convince the individual that their institution is an attractive employment option, may enthusiastically promote the potential for forming research partnerships with local criminal justice agencies, and painting a picture of these organizations as welcoming collaborators. Whereas the reality may be something completely different.
That being said, both job candidates and criminologists working in academic departments should carefully assess the advantages and disadvantages of embarking on this path before they invest considerable resources and find that they are totally frustrated with the outcome.
Advantages
There are at least seven benefits when professors from local universities co-produce research with nearby criminal justice agencies (they are rank ordered from least to most important)
To begin with, building a research partnership with a local criminal justice agency may not only facilitate hands on learning experiences for some of your more motivated students, but it may also provide data for their masters thesi or doctoral dissertations and/or pave the way for future employment for them.
Additionally, working closely with the local criminal justice agency may lead to valuable networking opportunities. This can help to build and sustain relationships that may lead to additional future research collaborations or job opportunities.
Moreover, collaborative efforts may result in tangible and practical results, such as reducing official crime rates, increasing officer retention, and enhancing community satisfaction. In other words, this type of research might provide a practical and relevant dimension to academic work.
Conducting research with a local agency often provides access to valuable data and resources that may be otherwise difficult to obtain.
Collaborative projects with criminal justice agencies may open doors to additional funding sources and grants, which may not be available to Criminologists who have not decided to partner.
Furthermore, the experience gained through partnerships can enrich the Criminologist’s teaching, enabling them to bring real-world examples and insights into their classrooms, which can benefit students.
Finally, and most importantly, conducting research with local criminal justice agencies may lead to a series of important scholarly publications, than what might be afforded through alternative strategies.
Disadvantages:
Partnering with local criminal justice organizations is also fraught with challenges. There are at least nine prominent drawbacks that Criminologists should be aware of.
To begin, although you might think that any self-respecting criminal justice agency would welcome your expertise, and be willing to partner. But criminal justice agencies may be skeptical about the need for external researchers mulling through their records, data, or obseserving their activities. Building trust can be a challenging process, and not all agencies will readily embrace outside assistance.
In a parallel manner, agencies may be hesitant to partner due to past negative experiences with other outside researchers or organizations that have since departed.
Not only inside your academic department, but within your university and beyond, there may be professors or departments with existing research relationships with local criminal justice organizations. This might lead to collaborative opportunities, but more likely competition for scarce resources.
Another point to consider is that the objectives and priorities of a university researcher and a criminal justice agency may not always align. For example the scholar may be interested in improving conditions inside a correctional facility, but the management would rather have you do work on employee retention.
Similarly researchers may have to compromise on their autonomy and research agenda, as projects with organizations may be guided by the agency’s needs and priorities.
Also it may be very difficult to get access to sensitive data and this may raise ethical and legal concerns.
Most importantly, establishing and maintaining research partnerships usually require long-term commitments. And sometimes these relationships go bust. For example, a new police chief/commissioner is hired, they worked in a city on the other side of the country, and they want nothing to do with you or your university. Or they have colleagues that they worked with in their previous position that they prefer working with.
This investment may divert your attention away from publishing, teaching, service activities and family and friends.
Alternatively, if you have a variety of different/diverse scholarly research interests, anticipate changing universities that are geographically distant from the local criminal justice agency, or you are considering moving into university administration (positions where conducting research is much harder to do) then forging a research partnership with a local criminal justice agency might not be wise. In other words, it may be difficult to justify the initial investment to spend on the collaboration.
Making Peace with your decision
The decision to partner with local criminal justice agencies is a complex one, one that should be carefully considered, including a engaging in relatively sophisticated cost-benefit calculation. The decision and process should align with your career goals, your department’s, college’s and university’s organizational culture, the specific agency’s needs and receptiveness, and your willingness to make a long-term commitment.
Ultimately, while partnerships with local organizations can be rewarding, they require careful consideration and a nuanced approach to navigate the potential advantages and disadvantages.
Co-producing research with a local criminal justice agency can offer numerous advantages and opportunities for criminologists working at a university.
However, this relationship also comes with its own set of challenges and potential disadvantages.
Ultimately, the decision to partner, as well as the individual researcher’s career goals and interests is a personal one.
Effective communication, clear expectations, and a shared commitment to the goals of the partnership can help mitigate some of the challenges and maximize the advantages.
Photo: Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing in the Hollywood movie “Top Hat”