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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.
Distinguishing Among Voyeurism, Street Ethnography, and Urban Exploration
/by Jeffrey Ian RossIndividuals engage with urban spaces in a variety of ways. These approaches usually depend on their intentions, levels of involvement, and methods of observation. Three distinct modes of engagement — voyeurism, street ethnography, and urban exploration — offer useful points of comparison. Voyeurism typically entails observing others without their consent, often for personal gratification and […]
Social Media’s Never-Ending Replacement of Substance with Spectacle
/by Jeffrey Ian RossA bare-chested man with dreadlocks skateboards through Adams Morgan (Washington, DC), an iguana perched on his shoulder, and a selfie stick extending from his hand. A young woman rides the New York City subway with a large snake draped around her neck, and numerous riders crowd around taking videos with their smartphones. What are We […]
What Happens When Musicians Step Outside Their Genre?
/by Jeffrey Ian RossAcross the arts, new genres continually emerge. Some gain traction and become part of the mainstream, while others disappear after a brief moment of interest. Behind the scenes, some creative people integrate these new forms into their work, while others experiment briefly before returning to more familiar styles. In music, for example, talented musicians are […]