Alice Goffman
Sociologist | Investigating Police Brutality and Criminal Justice
About
Alice Goffman is a sociologist known for her groundbreaking work on policing and mass incarceration in the United States. As a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she embedded herself in a Philadelphia neighborhood for six years, chronicling the experiences of young Black men targeted by aggressive law enforcement.
Her book, 'On the Run: Fugitive Life in an American City', provided an intimate and harrowing look at the effects of over-policing on marginalized communities. Goffman's research and advocacy have elevated critical conversations around systemic racism, criminal justice reform, and the human costs of mass incarceration.
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How we're priming some kids for college — and others for prison
In the United States, two institutions guide teenagers on the journey to adulthood: college and prison. Sociologist Alice Goffman spent six years in a troubled Philadelphia neighborhood and saw first-hand how teenagers of African-American and Latino backgrounds are funneled down the path to prison - sometimes starting with relatively minor infractions. In an impassioned talk she asks, "Why are we offering only handcuffs and jail time?"
| Event | Year | Location |
|---|---|---|
| TED | 2015 | 🇨🇦Vancouver, Canada |
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