Bringing abolition in: Addressing carceral logics in social science research

Objective In this essay, we review and offer theoretical groundings empirical approaches to the study of abolition. Methods We begin by demonstrating ways police prisons have been used exploit dominate marginalized people argue that abolition offers a path finding solutions public safety racial justice. draw from black feminist abolitionist political thought show how makes space upend systems power domination develop address root causes violence. Results assert research will not only focus on activists’ calls for dismantling but also recognize engage with proposals reimagining safety. suggest social scientists who abolition, American uprisings, policing must understand differences between transformative changes based in frameworks versus those center mass incarceration as societal given and, ultimately, further reproduce status quo. Conclusion conclude suggesting question researcher practices universities uphold carceral logics entrenched hierarchies, determining meaningfully distribution power.