Amidst a renewal of abolitionist dialogues, the field of criminology has begun to turn its attention to a range of alternative justice mechanisms. However, academia remains somewhat detached from contemporary efforts to advance and interrogate the objectives of abolitionism. Seeking to reconcile this separation, this discussion group aims to provide a collaborative space for scholars, practitioners and activists to explore, suggest, develop and reckon with a broad range of abolitionist imaginaries and praxis.
The Discussion Group meets on Tuesdays alternating with the Southernising Criminology Group, with discussions taking the form of a presentation delivered by a guest speaker followed by an audience-led Q&A. For further information, please subscribe to our mailing list.
Next Event: TBD - Check back in Autumn 2025 or subscribe to our our mailing list for event announcements.
A List of Past Events:
6 February 2024 SM Rodriguez on Abolition and the Black Feminist Imagination.
5 March 2024 Adam Elliott-Cooper: We did not come alive in Britain: From Anti-colonialism to Abolition In collaboration w/ Race and Post-Colonial Geographies Series. School of Geography.
7 May 2024 Diana Volpe on Divest Borders - Reflections on Migrant Solidarity Activism on and off Campus.
21 May 2024 molly ackhurst and Ellie Whittingdale on Feminist Entanglements and the State of Stuckness: The Tensions, and Possibilities, of Abolition in Feminist Sexual Violence Work.
3 June 2024 Railda Alves and Miriam Duarte Peireira on Families Building Paths: A Talk with the Founders of the Brazilian Abolitionist Organisation AMPARAR (Associação de Amigos e Familiares de Presos/ Association of Prisoners’ Family Members and Friends). You can watch the recording here.
15 October 2024 Lisa Monchalin on Dismantling Colonial Punishment: Toward Indigenous Justice Solutions.
11 February 2025 Camila Pelsinger on Abolition Feminism and Theorizing Transformative Accountability.
11 March 2025 Hope Chilokoa-Mullen and 4FRONT on Decriminalising youth: Reframing "safety" for racialised young people.
20 May 2025 Shaïn Morisse on the co-authored book 'Brick by Brick by Brick, Wall by Wall: A History of Penal Abolitionism'.
17 June 2025 Lorena Burbano (Mujeres de Frente) and Silvana Tapia Tapia on Anti-carceral feminisms in Ecuador: toward a non-penal feminist justice.
