The Critical Social History Project builds on the discussion introduced by E.H. Carr in What is History? (1961) and developed by Bosworth (2001) and Mooney (2014) about the importance of learning from the past and the need to keep an “eye” on what lessons social science disciplines can learn from history, as well as, the input into history that can be gleaned from social science.  History can help shed light on the origins and functions of inequality and exclusion, especially in the shoring up of the neo-liberal state, and the level that this persists in the present period.

 There are two components to the Critical Social History Project: The Other City: A History of Incarceration in New Yorkand Preserving Justice: Historic Texts and the Foundations of Critical Criminology.  Both make use of archival material and oral history interviews.  It is comprised of academics, graduate and undergraduate students.

Reinvigorating critical criminology

With an unprecedented archive of cataloged and digitized critical criminology materials dating back over fifty years, this project will aim to breathe life back into this sidelined field through public facing materials and resources.

A hub for discussion on progessive criminology

Through the broad connections of the directorship in the USA, the UK and New Zealand this research group will hold events at John Jay College of Criminal Justice concerning major themes of the group extending the knowledge to undergraduates and the broader CUNY community.

Shedding light on the origins of injustice

We look to trace the roots of state sanctioned technologies of oppression in the criminal justice system with a particular focus on their manifestations within New York City- often perceived as a social laboratory for penal techniques of population management.

A resource for the abolitionist movement

By housing resources on the history of the penal expansion and reform, a deeper understanding of its history can supplement the abolitionist movement, and provide context to historic shifts in policy to those advocating for lasting and real change.