Diversifying desistance research

Abstract

With the proliferation of desistance scholarship in the last two decades, some might argue that a saturation point has been reached. We beg to differ. More diverse research is needed to generate more depth and detailed understandings of desistance. In this chapter, four areas are critically analysed as areas for further development: (1) decolonising and culturally diversifying desistance research; (2) comparative desistance research; (3) diversity and social differences in desistance research (e.g., race and ethnicity, migration, religion, gender, sexuality, class and power); and (4) developing solidarities and social movements in support of desistance. This chapter intentionally features diverse international studies and authors, providing an alternative reading list of desistance scholarship to be celebrated alongside the landmark studies of (already) highly cited authors.