3 hours agoTyre Nichols and the reality of police reform in the United StatesJanuary 31, 2023 by Jeffrey Ian Ross, Ph.D. Over the past few weeks the public has learned about the death of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old unarmed African-American man, at the hands of five black Memphis police officers. The traffic stop, which led not only to the tasering and pepper-spraying of…Tyre Nichols3 min readTyre Nichols3 min read
Jan 23You’ve got jail: Reflecting on the twentieth anniversary of BEHIND BARS: SURVIVING PRISONYou’ve got jail: Reflecting on the twentieth anniversary of BEHIND BARS: SURVIVING PRISON January 23, 2023 by Jeffrey Ian Ross Twenty years ago Stephen C. Richards, Ph.D. and I co-authored Behind Bars: Surviving Prison. The book, divided into thirteen chapters, plus two appendixes, provided realistic, practical and helpful information, and…Prison6 min readPrison6 min read
Jan 16Why are people and organizations unable or unwilling to use experts?January 16, 2023 by Jeffrey Ian Ross We live in a complicated world. It’s often hard to know what to believe and whose advice to trust. One way we make sense out of the confusion and improve our lot in life is by depending upon experts, and the advice they…Expertise5 min readExpertise5 min read
Jan 9Does earning a degree in Criminology/Criminal Justice help someone get away with murder?January 9, 2023 by Jeffrey Ian Ross The recent arrest of Criminology graduate student Bryan Kohberger as the suspected murderer of four University of Idaho students prompted some people, including members of the news media, to ask if earning a degree in Criminology (the study of the causes and effects…Criminology2 min readCriminology2 min read
Dec 26, 2022How I procrastinated on major projects in 2022December 26, 2022 by Jeffrey Ian Ross Another year is almost in the bag and, in general, I’m happy with how things worked out. Yes, I failed to make good on a number of commitments to myself and others, but things are going to be different in 2023. I promise. …Year In Review5 min readYear In Review5 min read
Dec 12, 2022What’s wrong with Native American land acknowledgements at university commencement and graduation exercises?December 12, 2022 by Jeffrey Ian Ross In the northern hemisphere December brings with it cold weather, preparations for and celebration of holidays like Hanukah, Christmas, and Kwanza, and in many colleges and universities commencement exercises. During this event, students who meet the requirements of graduation, who did not complete…Land Acknowledgement4 min readLand Acknowledgement4 min read
Dec 5, 2022Are some people not amenable to being mentored?December 5, 2022 by Jeffrey Ian Ross As harsh as it sounds, and the possibility that it may anger progressive, liberals, and activists, some individuals, regardless of how capable, friendly, needy or smart they appear to be or are, and the context in which they live or work, are not…Mentoring2 min readMentoring2 min read
Nov 28, 2022Why has air travel become such a shit show & some simple things you can about it?November 27, 2022 by Jeffrey Ian Ross In addition to visiting relatives and friends, and filling ones belly with copious amounts of turkey and predictable side dishes, this Thanksgiving holiday weekend reminds us how historically, the greatest number of people travel via airplane during this time. For many people, the…Air Travel5 min readAir Travel5 min read
Nov 21, 2022Softening the brutalism of big downtown hotels and areas where they are locatedNovember 20, 2022/ by Jeffrey Ian Ross Almost every big North American city has a part of their downtown where tall, frequently imposing, and well-known brand name hotels are located. Sometimes these structures are built beside each other or sprinkled among the equally massive office towers, apartments, and condos. Occasionally…Brutalism3 min readBrutalism3 min read
Nov 13, 2022Train station bars and social connectionsNovember 13, 2022 by Jeffrey Ian Ross In addition to ticket counters, bag storage rooms, waiting areas, restrooms, newsstand stores, and platforms, almost every big city train station in the United States has one or more bars. With big screen televisions playing live sports games, the murmur of peoples conversation…Train Station3 min readTrain Station3 min read