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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.











Embracing Familiarity Versus Taking a Chance on Something New
/by Jeffrey Ian RossEvery day, we make numerous choices—what to wear, what to eat, which route to take. But why do we lean towards the familiar, and what motivates us to try something new? Driven by habit or a preference for spontaneity over deliberate planning, many of us navigate these decisions on autopilot. We often face a fundamental […]
The “Hip-ocrisy” of Streetwear
/by Jeffrey Ian RossHip Hop, an influential artistic, cultural, political, and social movement rooted in 1970s street culture, is associated with four key pillars: MCing (rapping), DJing, graffiti, and breakdancing. Hip hop has also fostered core values and principles that continue to shape its evolution and impact. These include: * The promotion of Expression and Authenticity * Enabling […]
Ways of Knowing the City
/by Jeffrey Ian RossIf you spend the majority of your waking hours inside, rarely go out, or hardly leave your neighborhood, then your life is going to be pretty dull and boring. But if you do venture outside of your familiar surroundings, then you’ll eventually have to decide how you’re going to get around town. Most people are […]