Doing criminological ethnography in China: Opportunities and challenges

Abstract

This article reflects on the emerging criminological research enterprise in China. We provide a brief overview on the nature of criminological knowledge production in China, particularly in relation to practical and political constraints. We contend that while there are distinct challenges associated with doing criminology in China, there are also new possibilities for alternative methodologies and critical analyses to push the boundaries of administrative criminology. Through the example of a study of migrants and motorcycle taxi driving in a Chinese city, we argue that an ethnography of the periphery can facilitate our understanding of the nuances of the social and cultural construction of the migrant crime problem, bringing to the foreground globally as well as locally relevant tensions, fragmented realities and hybridized identities.

Administrative Governance and Frontline Officers in the Chinese Prison System During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Zhang (2021) has been conducting fieldwork in the Chinese prison system for the past five years on a number of projects, developing long-term connections and a deep understanding of the system. Members of the Chinese criminal justice system are alert to the interests of those outside the system and typically try to present their best side; therefore, it is crucial that the researcher has spent a considerable amount of time doing participation observation inside to gain mutual trust and build validity to the data that is collected (Xin 2017;Xu et al 2013;Yuan 2018). Zhang conducted semi-structured interviews with prison officers whom she had worked with earlier during July and August to obtain their evaluation of their experience in the first half of 2020.…”

Criminology’s new frontier in China: opportunities, possibilities and challenges

“…Broadhurst and Liu [3: 4] argue that Bchanges in official attitudes or culture^are crucial if evidence-based research is to provide the information necessary for effective policy development in China. Zhang [32] identifies that the development of Chinese criminological enterprise largely relies on Bpartnerships and collaborations.^Xu et al's [31] introduction of an ethnographical study (involving migrants and motorcycle taxi driving) offers a realistic case study of the practical and political constraints of doing criminological research in China, which are pointed out by Broadhurst and Liu [3] and Zhang [32]. No doubt, criminologists confront at least two difficulties when conducting research in China: Bconservative political environment^and Bnegotiated access (via guanxi)^to collect data [31].…”

“…Zhang [32] identifies that the development of Chinese criminological enterprise largely relies on Bpartnerships and collaborations.^Xu et al's [31] introduction of an ethnographical study (involving migrants and motorcycle taxi driving) offers a realistic case study of the practical and political constraints of doing criminological research in China, which are pointed out by Broadhurst and Liu [3] and Zhang [32]. No doubt, criminologists confront at least two difficulties when conducting research in China: Bconservative political environment^and Bnegotiated access (via guanxi)^to collect data [31]. In addition, these characteristics may compromise the implementation of research ethics protocols and require longer process to cultivate trust and relationship with government officials and research partners from China (see also [17,33]).…”

Narrative Rehabilitation: Manifestation of Chinese and Western Reform Ideals and Practices

“…This study is primarily drawn from my PhD thesis, which aimed to understand the organization and production of staged performances in Chinese prisons from the perspective of social control. There is currently no official channel to access Chinese prisons for research; therefore, personal connections have to be utilized, similar to other criminal justice studies in China (Xin, 2017; Xu et al, 2013; Yuan, 2018). I participated in a collaborative project between a local performing arts center called CAPA and Prison A in an East Chinese city in 2016, which offered drama workshops to a selected group of offenders as well as provided assistance to rehearsals for prison-organized performances.…”