Sensory criminology

This introduction explores what the sensory can contribute to how we understand and pursue criminological inquiry. We first consider the value of attending to the sensory for social scientific and criminological investigation. We then set out a clear definition of what we mean by “the senses,” conventionally thought of as being restricted to five core senses, we extend that to include a broader range of perceptual stimuli. We go on to clarify our approach to sensory criminology by distinguishing it from adjacent, but distinct, theoretical frameworks imposed by phenomenological and affective approaches. Next, we advance a more developed set of principles guiding our approach to sensory criminology. In doing so, we add definition and delineation to the subfield, allowing for a deeper consideration of implications for decolonial thinking. This enhances capacity for disrupting Western empirical hierarchies and the social systems they both shore up and are reinforced by. The intention has been to amplify voices and experiences from beyond the Global North, and to extend the possibilities of our criminological imagination. Finally, we introduce the thematic organisation of the book and each of the 29 contributions, before concluding with a brief consideration of future directions.