TU Dublin Book Launch - The Security Field: Crime Control, Power and Symbolic Capital by Dr Matt Bowden
Dr Matt Bowden's latest book, The Security Field: Crime Control, Power and Symbolic Capital,’ was officially launched at the East Quad, TU Dublin on Thursday 20th of February, in a well-attended event that featured a thought-provoking seminar and critical discussion.
The event opened with an engaging ‘Author Meets Critics’ session, where Dr Cliodhna Pierce, Lecturer at TU Dublin’s School of Media, and Professor Ian O'Donnell, Professor of Criminology at UCD, examined and discussed the book’s key themes. Their insightful analysis sparked a dynamic question-and-answer session with the audience, fostering a lively exchange on the work’s significance within criminology.
Professor O’Donnell, who had the honour of formally launching the book, delivered a strong endorsement of Dr Bowden’s scholarship.
As someone who has spent 35 years studying criminology and observing the discipline’s growth in Ireland, I can say without hesitation that there are few scholars in the country who bring the same level of rigour and sophistication to sociological thinking on crime and social order as Matt Bowden. He is a thoughtful scholar who has developed a clear intellectual signature
O’Donnell further praised Dr Bowden’s application of Pierre Bourdieu’s sociological framework, likening it to a form of ‘martial arts’ for its intellectual depth. He also highlighted Dr Bowden’s expanding international reputation, particularly in rural criminology, citing his influential publications since 2019.
In his concluding remarks, Professor O'Donnell acknowledged Dr Bowden’s ambition to provide fresh analytical tools for criminology.
In my opinion, this hope has been entirely realised, and we are in his debt as a result
The Security Field: Crime Control, Power and Symbolic Capital explores the intersection of crime control, power structures, and symbolic capital, making it an essential contribution to criminological research. The book is now available in both hardback and eBook formats.
For more information and to purchase the book, visit the Routledge website.