Roundtable: Strange bedfellows or long-lost lovers? Queer Theory and Critical Criminology

Session Submission Type: Roundtable Session

Abstract/Description

In recent years, there is increasing talk of ‘queering’ criminology and the emergence of ‘queer criminology’ as a new subfield within critical criminology. While much important and insightful work has been undertaken under this new domain, the disciplines of queer theory and critical criminology still remain relatively separate with limited cross-over dialogue when it comes to contemporary theoretical debates. As some scholars have noted, much of the emerging ‘queer criminology’ scholarship has treated queer as an umbrella term for LGBTQ+ identities or as a general ‘corrective’ to straight presumptions within criminology, but has not necessarily engaged with the wider epistemological and ontological debates that have occupied queer studies over recent decades. Likewise, debates within critical criminology rarely permeate queer studies. The relative lack of crossover between contemporary queer theory and critical criminology is surprising, given the longstanding overlapping interests amongst both, particularly in relation to questions of deviance and normativity, social control and ‘othering’, and radical visions of social change. Taking stock of, and seeking to extend current debates in this area, this roundtable will explore what explains the persistent silo-ing of queer theory and criminology and how we might deepen the dialogue between the two.

Sub Unit

• Area XI. Roundtables

Individual Presentations

• Feminist Criminology and Queer Theory - Tanya Serisier, Birkbeck, University of London

• Queering Prison Research: From Identity to Intimacy - Nicola Carr, University of Nottingham; Tanya Serisier, Birkbeck, University of London

• Pleasure in danger: queer counterpublics and the policing of ‘chemsex’ - Alex Dymock, Goldsmiths, University of London

• Queer Criminology as Discipline: What's at stake? - Sarah Lamble, Birkbeck, University of London

Chair

• Sarah Lamble, Birkbeck, University of London

Discussants

• Angela Dwyer, University of Tasmania

• Matthew Ball, Queensland University of Technology