Roundtable: The Graduate Student Role in Event Planning and Community Organizing in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Session Submission Type: Roundtable Session

Abstract

Departmental events are important for several reasons: raising awareness, engaging colleagues, facilitating community dialogue, and providing resources. Graduate students can play an integral part in the development and implementation of departmental events relevant to criminal justice and social justice issues, however departments do not always support or encourage graduate students in this role. This roundtable will provide tools and insights for coordinating productive, impactful and successful events that address and involve intersectional identities such as race, gender, and sexuality. Additionally, we will discuss key elements for successfully and effectively implementing departmental events such as identifying events through needs analysis, identifying funding sources and sponsors, and recruiting volunteers to help with logistics. Further, it is an important step to consider and plan coordinating campus spaces and other event needs. Social justice-related events benefit from having panelists who will share their expertise and experiences in the field. In this roundtable, suggestions for finding these panelists and stakeholders will be offered. Lastly, promoting the event and having a call to action (if applicable) are important final steps in the planning process. This session will conclude with a critical discussion about challenges that the planning committee faces while organizing and implementing these events.

Sub Unit

• Area XIII: Roundtable Sessions

Chair

• Laurel A. Mazar, University of Illinois at Chicago

Discussants

• Joanna Thompson, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Meghna Bhat, University of Illinois at Chicago