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About
Criminologist, Scholar, & Consultant
Jeffrey Ian Ross, Ph.D., is a criminologist at the University of Baltimore and co-founder of Convict Criminology. He brings an insider’s perspective to his work, shaped by his experience as a former courier, taxi driver, corrections worker, and union shop steward. This approach has also benefited from numerous visits to correctional facilities across North America, Europe, and South America, and firsthand research on street culture, and graffiti and street art internationally. Ross has published 30+ books and shares his expertise on corrections, policing, political crime, street culture, and graffiti and street art through scholarship, public writing, speaking, media commentary, and consulting.
The Continuing Relevance of Gil Scott-Heron’s “Winter in America”
/by Jeffrey Ian RossOne of my favorite songs is Gil Scott-Heron’s Winter in America. Released in 1974, in the wake of the Vietnam War and as the Watergate scandal unraveled the Nixon presidency, it captured a national mood of disillusionment and political fatigue. The Civil Rights Movement had stalled, trust in government was crumbling, and the promise of […]
The Visual Evolution of Digital Age Protest Signs
/by Jeffrey Ian RossPolitical expression takes many forms. Although spoken and written words matter, provocative visuals often capture public attention more quickly and viscerally. Admittedly, some visual content, such as television programs and Hollywood films, requires significant resources to produce. However, other forms, like graffiti, street art, and memes, are far more affordable. Meanwhile, one often overlooked, enduring, […]
Rank Ordering to Clarify What Matters Most
/by Jeffrey Ian RossPeriodically, I try to identify my “top ten” books, food, movies, music, travel destinations, etc. In general, this exercise forces me to learn about my preferences by prompting me to consider not just what I like, but why I like it. In doing so, I engage more deeply with genres, styles, and categories I might […]