Project Abstract

Abstract
Critical criminology and anthropology share a common interest in understanding social phenomena through a critical lens that questions power structures, inequalities, and injustices. By integrating elements of anthropology into the study of criminology, scholars can gain a deeper insight into the root causes of crime and deviance, as well as the ways in which these issues are constructed and perpetuated within society. This research project aims to advance critical criminology through the incorporation of anthropological perspectives, theories, and methodologies. Drawing on the rich tradition of ethnographic research in anthropology, this study seeks to explore how culture, social norms, and symbolic systems shape criminal behavior and the criminal justice system. By conducting in-depth fieldwork and engaging with diverse communities, the research aims to uncover the underlying social, economic, and political forces that contribute to crime and victimization. Moreover, this project seeks to challenge traditional criminological paradigms by centering the experiences and voices of marginalized groups, including racial and ethnic minorities, immigrants, and low-income individuals. By prioritizing the perspectives of those most affected by crime and punishment, this research aims to provide a more nuanced understanding of how power dynamics, structural inequalities, and cultural practices intersect to produce criminalized identities and behaviors. Through a critical anthropological lens, this study also aims to deconstruct dominant discourses surrounding crime and criminal justice, revealing the ways in which these narratives are shaped by broader social and historical contexts. By examining the cultural meanings and symbolic representations associated with crime, punishment, and social control, the research seeks to challenge essentialist assumptions about criminality and explore the complex interplay of power, agency, and resistance within the criminal justice system. Overall, this research project contributes to the ongoing dialogue between criminology and anthropology by highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in understanding and addressing complex social issues. By bridging the insights of these two disciplines, this study aims to offer new theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches that can enrich our understanding of crime, social control, and justice in contemporary society.

Project Overview