Matthew Barnett Robinson
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Matthew Barnett Robinson (born August 17, 1970 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida) is a Criminologist at Appalachian State University (ASU) in Boone, North Carolina. After receiving his PhD from the Florida State University School of Criminology & Criminal Justice, he accepted a position as Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice at ASU in 1997.
Now in the position of Associate Professor, Dr. Robinson has published six books in the areas of criminal justice, criminological theory, the war on drugs, and the death penalty. His books include Justice Blind? Ideals and Realities of American Criminal Justice (Prentice Hall, 2002, 2005), Why Crime? An Integrated Systems Theory of Antisocial Behavior (Prentice Hall, 2004), Spatial Aspects of Crime: Theory and Practice (Allyn & Bacon, 2004), Lies, Damn Lies, and Drug War Statistics (State University of New York Press, 2007), and Death Nation: The Experts Explain American Capital Punishment (Prentice Hall, 2007).
Professor Robinson has also published more than 50 other pieces of research and made more than 100 presentations to professional conferences in Criminology and Criminal Justice. The common theme of Dr. Robinson’s work is critical examination of the status quo – whether the criminal justice system, mainstream theories of crime, or the war on drugs and the death penalty. Robinson critically analyzes widely accepted theories and practices and offers a new perspective that often conflicts with commonly held beliefs and assumptions.
Robinson joined the Bill of Rights Defense Committee and founded a group in Boone to speak out against provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act. The group successfully saw six resolutions passed, including one by the Town of Boone. Robinson is now working on a Center for Social Justice and Human Rights at ASU to work toward defending the rights of all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.
Dr. Robinson is also the Past President of the Southern Criminal Justice Association.
