Professor Stefan Machura
Professor in Criminology & Criminal Justice
Overview
Stefan Machura teaches criminology and criminal justice at 挓乾勛圖. The perceived fairness of authorities and of procedures like court trials, lay participation in the administration of justice and the portrayal of the legal system in popular media and its effects form major aspects of his research.
In 2020, Stefan Machura received the International Prize Honorary Mention of the Law and Society Association (USA) in recognition of significant contributions to the advancement of knowledge in the field of law and society.
Since 2000, Stefan Machura is one of the editors of the "Zeitschrift f羹r Rechtssoziologie. The German Journal of Law and Society", 2010-2014 main editor (info: https://www.degruyter.com/view/j/zfrs).
The Working Group on Law and Popular Culture of the International Sociological Association's Research Committee on Sociology of Law (RCSL) has elected Stefan Machura as its chair.
Stefan Machura is board member of the Sociology of Law Section in the German Sociological Association since 1998 (http://www.soziologie.de/index.php?id=275). In addition, he is a board member of the (German) Association for Law and Society Vereinigung f羹r Recht und Gesellschaft (https://www.rechtssoziologie.info/).
Since 2023, Stefan Machura is a member of the Youth Justice Board Academic Liaison Network.
Additional Contact Information
Answer phone: 01248-382214
Email: s.machura@bangor.ac.uk
Qualifications
- Other: Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education
University of Wales, Bangor, 2009 - Professional: Umhabilitation
Ruhr-University Bochum, 2005 - PhD: Habilitation, dissertation "Fairne und Legitimit瓣t"
Universit瓣t der Bundeswehr M羹nchen, 2000 - PhD: The control of state-owned enterprises
Ruhr-University Bochum, 1992 - Other: Diplom-Sozialwissenschaftler, dissertation on the political control of ministerial bureaucracy
Ruhr-University Bochum, 1987
Teaching and Supervision
Teaching and Administration
Undergraduate Teaching
- SXY1005 Introduction to Criminology
- SXY2004/3004 Crime and the Media
- HPS2022/3022 Understanding Criminal Courts.
Postgraduate Teaching
- SXU4016/SXU4017 MA Dissertation (module coordinator)
- SXY4015 Key Issues in Criminology
- SXY4020 Comparative and International Criminal Justice.
Administration
- Exams Officer (postgraduate taught degrees, PGT)
- Programme Lead PGT (criminology and related social sciences).
PhD students / postgraduate researchers currently supervised:
- David Ashworth: Driving Offences under the Influence of Drugs
- Alicia Edwards: Agromafia.
PhD students previously supervised:
- Iossif Irhoumah:Satellite Television and Informal Social Control Institutions. Libyan Society in the Era of Globalization
- Yusuf Usman: The Renewal of Hostilities in the Nigerian Delta Region in 2016 and the Failure of the Presidential Amnesty
- Marc Lewis: Making Connections: The Socio-Economic Impacts of an All-Wales Integrated Transport System.
Modules previously taught:
Undergraduate modules
- Actors in the Legislation Process
- Administrative Courts in Action
- Administrative Policy
- Americana film genre
- BA Dissertation module
- Contemporary Social Debates
- Courts and Lawyers in the Media Media Content, Media Strat簫egies, Media Effects
- Crime and Law in Film
- Emile Durkheim
- Interest Groups, Parties, Elections Political Sociology
- Introduction to Political Science
- Introductory Criminology
- Law in Film
- Law, State and Social Development as Seen by Weber and Luhmann
- LLM Dissertation (module coordinator)
- Max Weber
- Media and Politics
- Prison Films 1930-2000
- Procedural and Distributive Justice
- Public Management
- Social Science Perspectives
- Sociology of Law
- Sociology of Organization and Public Administration
- The Criminal Procedure as Seen by the Defendant
- The German Courtroom Film
Postgraduate Modules
- Applied Research in Criminology
- Applied Social Research
- Comparative and International Criminal Justice
- Comparative Criminological Research
- International Case Studies in Criminology
- Key Issues in Crime and Justice
- Procedures and the Construction of Collective Action
- Social Science in Action
- The Research Process
Research Interests
Professor Machura's research interests are related to the areas of sociology of law, political sociology, criminology and criminal justice, popular culture including mass media and music. He is particularly interested in international and transdisciplinary research, and in cooperating with scholars and practitioners from various academic backgrounds and from different countries. In his work, he uses a range of research methods, quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods, cross-sectional and case studies, panel studies, randomised telephone interviews, face-to-face interviews, court observation and systematic analyses of media content.
Postgraduate Project Opportunities
Publications
2025
- Accepted/In press
Machura, S., 28 Feb 2025, (Accepted/In press) Research Handbook on Law and Systems Theory. Rogowski, R. (ed.). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 14 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter peer-review - Accepted/In press
Field, S. & Machura, S., 17 Jan 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Prison Service Journal. 19 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal Article
2024
- Accepted/In press
Machura, S., 18 Dec 2024, (Accepted/In press) In: Zeitschrift f羹r Rechtssoziologie - The German Journal of Law and Society. 45, 1
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., 1 Nov 2024, Law and War in Popular Culture. Machura, S. (ed.). Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft, 21 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter peer-review - Published
Machura, S. (Editor), 1 Nov 2024, Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft. 255 p.
Research output: Book/Report Book peer-review - Published
Machura, S. & Cunningham, J., 1 Nov 2024, Law and War in Popular Culture. Machura, S. (ed.). Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft, p. 165-184 19 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter peer-review - Published
Machura, S., 28 Jun 2024, Laypersons in Law: Social Science Perspectives on Legal Practices of Non-professionals. Kretschmann, A., Mouralis , G. & Zeigermann, U. (eds.). Abingdon: Routledge, 14 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter peer-review - Published
Machura, S., Kutnjak Ivkovic, S. & Hans, V. P., 2 Jan 2024, In: Laikos. 1, 2, 13 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal Article - Accepted/In press
Machura, S., 24 May 2024, (Accepted/In press) Trial by Media. Gies, L. (ed.). Palgrave Macmillan, 19 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter peer-review
2023
- Published
Machura, S., Litvinova, O. & Cunningham, J., Jun 2023, In: Law and Humanities. 17, 1, p. 90-111 22 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., 5 May 2023. 23 p.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper - Accepted/In press
Machura, S., 3 Aug 2023, (Accepted/In press) Grundbegriffe der Soziologie. Kopp, J. & Steinbach, A. (eds.). 13 ed. Wiesbaden: Springer Verlag, 4 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Accepted/In press
Machura, S., 3 Aug 2023, (Accepted/In press) Grundbegriffe der Soziologie. Kopp, J. & Steinbach, A. (eds.). 13 ed. Springer Verlag, 3 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., 2023, 7 p. O簽ati (Gipuzkoa) Spain : ISA Research Committee on the Sociology of Law.
Research output: Other contribution
2022
- Published
Machura, S., 31 May 2022, In: Zeitschrift f羹r Rechtssoziologie - The German Journal of Law and Society. 42, 1, p. 134-138 4 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal Book/Film/Article review - Published
Machura, S., 3 Jul 2022, In: Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television. 42, 3, p. 623-625 2 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal Book/Film/Article review - Published
Machura, S., 3 Oct 2022. 30 p.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper - Published
Machura, S., Sept 2022. 23 p.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper - Published
Machura, S., Almjnoni, S., Vavrik, B. & Williams, E., Mar 2022, In: International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society. 35, 1, p. 67-84
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., 31 Oct 2022, In: Mittelweg 36. 31, 5, 2 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review
2021
- Published
Machura, S., Apr 2021, Handw繹rterbuch des politischen Systems der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Andersen, U., Bogumil, J., Marschall, S. & Woyke, W. (eds.). 8 ed. Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 627 631 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Entry for encyclopedia/dictionary - Published
Machura, S. & Litvinova, O., Feb 2021, In: International Journal of the Semiotics of Law. 34, 1, p. 89-108 20 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., 28 Jun 2021, Oxford Encyclopedia of International Criminology. Erez, E. & Ibarra, P. (eds.). New York: Oxford University Press USA, 28 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Entry for encyclopedia/dictionary peer-review - Published
Machura, S., Dec 2021, In: Journal of Law and Society. 48 , 4, p. 726-729 6 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal Book/Film/Article review - Published
Machura, S., 2021, Handw繹rterbuch des politischen Systems der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Andersen, U., Bogumil, J., Marschall, S. & Woyke, W. (eds.). 8 ed. Wiesbaden: VS Verlag f羹r Sozialwissenschaften, p. 41-43 (Springer Reference Sozialwissenschaften; vol. 8).
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Entry for encyclopedia/dictionary peer-review - Published
Machura, S. & Rennig, C., 31 Jan 2021, Juries, Lay Judges, and Mixed Courts: A Global Perspective. Kutnjak Ivkovic, S., Diamond, S. S., Hans, V. P. & Marder, N. S. (eds.). Cambridge University Press, (ASCL Studies in Comparative Law).
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter peer-review - Published
Machura, S., 29 Jul 2021, Juries, Lay Judges, and Mixed Courts: A Global Perspective. Kutnjak Ivkovich, S., Diamond, S. S., Hans, V. & Marder, N. (eds.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, p. 131-151
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter peer-review
2020
- Published
Machura, S., 6 Jun 2020, In: Soziale Systeme. 22, 1-2, p. 331-354 18 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., 19 Oct 2020, In: German Law Journal. 21, 7, p. 1318-1331
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., 24 Sept 2020, Rechts瓣sthetik in rechtsphilosophischer Absicht. Sch羹nemann, E. & von Plato, L. (eds.). Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter
2019
- Published
Machura, S., Jones, S., W羹rgler, A., Cuthbertson, J. & Hemmings, A., Jan 2019, In: European Journal of Criminology. 16, 1, p. 60-80
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., Apr 2019, In: Zeitschrift f羹r Rechtssoziologie - The German Journal of Law and Society. 38, 2, p. 348
Research output: Contribution to journal Book/Film/Article review - Published
Machura, S., Matharu, S., Mepham, F., Smith, S. L. & Aston, J., 2019, In: O簽ati Socio-legal Series. 9, 6, 25 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review
2018
- Published
Machura, S., 28 Feb 2018
Research output: Other contribution - Published
Machura, S., 22 Aug 2018, In: Industrial Law Journal. 47, 3, p. 454-457 6 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal Book/Film/Article review - Published
Machura, S., 23 Mar 2018, Grundbegriffe der Soziologie. Kopp, J. & Steinbach, A. (eds.). 12 ed. Springer Verlag, p. 271-277
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Entry for encyclopedia/dictionary - Published
Rafter, N. (Editor), Brown, M. (Editor) & Machura, S. (Editor), 22 Feb 2018, New York: Oxford University Press USA. 2232 p.
Research output: Book/Report Book peer-review - Published
Machura, S., 23 Mar 2018, Grundbegriffe der Soziologie. Kopp, J. & Steinbach, A. (eds.). 12 ed. Wiesbaden: Springer Verlag, p. 373-378
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Entry for encyclopedia/dictionary - Published
Machura, S., Short, F., Hill, V. M., Suddaby, C. R., Goddard, F. E., Jones, S. E., Lloyd-Astbury, E. L., Richardson, L. & Rouse, C. A., 14 May 2018, In: Journal of Human Trafficking. 5, 3, p. 201-219 39 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., 2018, Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Criminology. New York: Oxford University Press USA, p. 1-27 27 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter peer-review - Published
Machura, S. & B繹hnke, M., 2018, Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Criminology. New York: Oxford University Press USA
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter peer-review
2016
- Published
Machura, S., 1 Jun 2016, In: O簽ati Socio-legal Series. 6, 2
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S. & B繹hnke, M., 17 Nov 2016, A Transnational 挓乾勛圖 of Law and Justice on TV. Robson, P. & Schultz, J. L. (eds.). Oxford: Hart Publishing, p. 99-112 14 p. 8
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., 1 Apr 2016, In: British Journal of Social Work. 46, 3, p. 652-668
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., Picart, C. J. (Editor), Jacobsen, M. H. (Editor) & Greek, C. (Editor), 1 Apr 2016, Framing Law and Crime: An Interdisciplinary Anthology. 2016 ed. Rowman & Littlefield, p. 25-58
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., Kopp, J. (Editor) & Steinbach, A. (Editor), 2016, Grundbegriffe der Soziologie. 2015 ed. Springer Verlag, p. 200-206
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., Kopp, J. (Editor) & Steinbach, A. (Editor), 2016, Grundbegriffe der Soziologie. 2015 ed. Springer Verlag, p. 280-285
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., 2016, In: Zeitschrift f羹r Didaktik der Rechtswissenschaft.
Research output: Contribution to journal Article - Published
Machura, S., Stuermer, F. (Editor) & Meier, P. (Editor), 1 Jun 2016, Recht popul瓣r: Popul瓣rkulturelle Rechtsdarstellungen in aktuellen Texten und Medien. Nomos, p. 169-187
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., Dec 2016, In: Zeitschrift f羹r Rechtssoziologie - The German Journal of Law and Society. 36, 2, p. 273-302 30 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review
2015
- Published
Machura, S., Kohte, W. (Editor), Muller, C. (Editor) & Absenger, N. (Editor), 14 Jul 2015, Menschenrechte und Solidarit瓣t im internationalen Diskurs: Festschrift f羹r Professor Dr. Armin H繹land. 2015 ed. Nomos, p. 396-410
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter
2014
- Published
Machura, S., Papendorf, K. (Editor), Machura, S. (Editor) & Hellum, A. (Editor), 1 Dec 2014, Eugen Ehrlich's Sociology of Law. 2014 ed. Lit Verlag, p. 39-68
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S. (Editor), Papendorf, K. (Editor) & Machura, S. H. (Editor), 31 Dec 2014, Lit Verlag.
Research output: Book/Report Book - Published
Machura, S. & L繹w, M. (Editor), 2 Oct 2014.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper - Published
Machura, S., Hellum, A., Papendorf, K. & Machura, S. (Editor), 1 Dec 2014, Eugen Ehrlich's Sociology of Law. 2014 ed. Lit Verlag, p. 1-14
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., Love, T. & Dwight, A., 5 Jun 2014, In: International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice. 42, 4, p. 287-305
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Litvinova, O., Machura, S., Papendorf, K. (Editor), Machura, S. (Editor) & Hellum, A. (Editor), 1 Dec 2014, Eugen Ehrlich's Sociology of Law. 2014 ed. Lit Verlag, p. 157-177
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter
2013
- Published
Machura, S. & Davies, L., 1 Apr 2013, In: Kriminologisches Journal. 45, 4, p. 279-294
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Rohl, K. F. & Machura, S., 1 Dec 2013, In: JuristenZeitung. 68, 23, p. 1117-1128
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., Ramos, N. M., Rooney, T., Warmald, S. & Estermann, J. (Editor), 1 Jan 2013, Kampf ums Recht: Akteure und Interessen im Blick der interdisziplin瓣ren Rechtsforschung. 2013 ed. Lit Verlag, p. 150-167
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., Anderson, U. (Editor) & Woyke, W. (Editor), 18 Nov 2013, Handw繹rterbuch des politischen Systems der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. 2013 ed. Springer Verlag, p. 453-456
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., Anderson, U. (Editor) & Woyke, W. (Editor), 18 Nov 2013, Handw繹rterbuch des politischen Systems der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. 2013 ed. Springer Verlag, p. 5-7
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., Anderson, U. (Editor) & Woyke, W. (Editor), 18 Nov 2013, Handw繹rterbuch des politischen Systems der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. 2013 ed. Springer Verlag, p. 506-510
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter
2012
- Published
Machura, S., 1 Dec 2012, In: International Journal of Law in Context. 8, 4, p. 506-523
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., Robson, P. (Editor) & Silbey, J. (Editor), 1 Jan 2012, Law and Justice on the Small Screen. 2012 ed. Hart Publishing, p. 251-170
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter
2011
- Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2011, Understanding Law in Society. 2011 ed. p. 239-283
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., 1 May 2011, In: Chicago-Kent Law Review. 86, 2, p. 769-788
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S. (Editor), Papendorf, K. (Editor) & Andenaes, K. (Editor), 2011, Zurich and Berlin: Lit Verlag. 287 p.
Research output: Book/Report Book
2010
- Published
Machura, S. & Kammertons, A., 1 Jan 2010, In: Entertainment and Sports Law Journal. 8, 1, p. 17
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2010.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper - Published
Machura, S., Romas, N., Rooney, T. & Warmald, S., 1 Jan 2010.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2010.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2010, In: Social'nye i gumanitarnye nauki, series 4 Gosudarstvo i Pravo. 1, p. 29-35
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., Schafers, B. (Editor) & Kopp, J. (Editor), 1 Jan 2010, Grundbegriffe der Soziologie. 2010 ed. VS Verlag, p. 232-237
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., Kneer, G. (Editor) & Schroer, M. (Editor), 1 Jan 2010, Handbuch Spezielle Soziologien. 2010 ed. VS Verlag, p. 379-392
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S. & Soeffner, H. (Editor), 1 Jan 2010, Unsichere Zeiten. 2010 ed. VS Verlag f羹r Sozialwissenschaften, p. 1-8
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2010, Erg瓣nzbares Lexikon des Rechts. 2010 ed. Luchterhand, p. 1-6
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter
2009
- Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2009.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper - Published
Machura, S. & Asimow, M. (Editor), 1 Jan 2009, Lawyers in Your Living Room!: Law on Television. 2009 ed. American Bar Association Press, p. 321-332
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2009, 2009 ed. Institut f羹r Rechts- und Kriminalsoziologie.
Research output: Book/Report Commissioned report - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2009.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper - Published
Machura, S., 30 Oct 2009.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper - Published
Machura, S., Andersen, U. (Editor) & Woyke, W. (Editor), 1 Jan 2009, Handw繹rterbuch des politischen Systems der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. 2009 ed. VS Verlag, p. 434-438
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S. & Kammertons, A., 14 Dec 2009, In: Zeitschrift f羹r Rechtssoziologie. 30, 2, p. 235-259
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Dalton, I., Jones, V. M., Machura, S., Ngaihte, H., Norton, T. P. & Pritchard, M., 1 Dec 2009, In: Papers from the British Criminology Conference. 9, p. 92-110
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Dalton, I., Jones, V. M., Machura, S., Ngaihte, H., Norton, T. P. & Pritchard, M., 1 Jan 2009.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper - Published
Machura, S., Andersen, U. (Editor) & Woyke, W. (Editor), 1 Jan 2009, Handw繹rterbuch des politischen Systems der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. 2009 ed. VS Verlag, p. 492-497
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter
2008
- Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2008.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2008.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper - Published
Machura, S., 1 Mar 2008, In: Journal of Politics and Law. 1, 1, p. 57-67
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., Heenan, N., Wilkinson, K., Griffiths, D., Searles, B., Seloom, M., Muhanad*, [. V., Woolford, R. & Williams, C., 1 Jan 2008, p. 145-152.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2008.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper
2007
- Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2007, In: University of Baltimore Law Revue. 36, p. 329-345
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., D繹veling, K. (Editor), Mikow, L. (Editor) & Nieland, J. U. (Editor), 1 Jan 2007, Im Namen des Fernsehvolkes. Neue Formate f羹r Orientierung und Bewertung. 2007 ed. UVK Verlagsgesellschaft, p. 93-101
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S. & Clark, D. S. (Editor), 1 Jan 2007, Encyclopedia of Law and Society: American and Global Perspectives. 2007 ed. SAGE Publications, p. 406-407
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., Litvinova, O. & Feldbrugge, F. J. (Editor), 1 Jan 2007, Russia, Europe, and the Rule of Law. 2007 ed. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, p. 109-127
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S. & Clark, D. S. (Editor), 1 Jan 2007, Encyclopedia of Law and Society: American and Global Perspectives. 2007 ed. SAGE Publications, p. 937-940
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jul 2007, In: Journal of Empirical Legal Studies. 4, 2, p. 331-363
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S. & Clark, D. S. (Editor), 1 Jan 2007, Encyclopedia of Law and Society: American and Global Perspectives. 2007 ed. SAGE Publications, p. 950-953
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2007, In: Chicago-Kent Law Review. 82, 2, p. 100-113
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2007.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2007.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper
2006
- Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2006, Lit.
Research output: Book/Report Book - Published
Walkenhaus, R., Machura, S., Nahamowitz, P., Treutner, E. & Machura, S. (Editor), 1 Jan 2006, Staat im Wandel: Festschrift f羹r R羹diger Voigt. 2006 ed. Steiner, p. 7-13
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2006, In: Paragrana. 15, 1, p. 174-188
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., Voigt, R. (Editor) & Walkenhaus, R. (Editor), 1 Jan 2006, Handw繹rterbuch zur Verwaltungsreform. 2006 ed. VS Verlag f羹r Sozialwissenschaften, p. 137-141
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., Voigt, R. (Editor) & Walkenhaus, R. (Editor), 1 Jan 2006, Handw繹rterbuch zur Verwaltungsreform. 2006 ed. VS Verlag f羹r Sozialwissenschaften, p. 142-144
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2006.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper - Published
Machura, S., Voigt, R. (Editor) & Walkenhaus, R. (Editor), 1 Jan 2006, Handw繹rterbuch zur Verwaltungsreform. 2006 ed. VS Verlag f羹r Sozialwissenschaften, p. 277-281
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., Sch瓣fers, B. (Editor) & Kopp, J. (Editor), 1 Jan 2006, Grundbegriffe der Soziologie. 2006 ed. VS Verlag f羹r Sozialwissenschaften, p. 231-235
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., Heun, W. (Editor), Honeker, M. (Editor), Morlok, M. (Editor) & Wieland, J. (Editor), 1 Jan 2006, Evangelisches Staatslexikon. 2006 ed. Kohlhammer, p. 1920-1925
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., Heun, W. (Editor), Honeker, M. (Editor), Morlok, M. (Editor) & Wieland, J. (Editor), 1 Jan 2006, Evangelisches Staatslexikon. 2006 ed. Kohlhammer, p. 2157-2159
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Walkenhaus, R. (Editor), Machura, S. (Editor), Nahamowitz, P. (Editor) & Treutner, E. (Editor), 1 Jan 2006, 2006 ed. Steiner.
Research output: Book/Report Book - Published
Machura, S., Voigt, R. (Editor) & Walkenhaus, R. (Editor), 1 Jan 2006, Handw繹rterbuch zur Verwaltungsreform. 2006 ed. VS Verlag f羹r Sozialwissenschaften, p. 355-360
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., Voigt, R. (Editor) & Walkenhaus, R. (Editor), 1 Jan 2006, Handw繹rterbuch zur Verwaltungsreform. 2006 ed. VS Verlag f羹r Sozialwissenschaften, p. 373-379
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter
2005
- Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2005.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper - Published
R繹hl, K. F., B繹hm, A., B繹hnke, M., Langer, T., Machura, S., Marfels, G., Ulbrich, S., Weiss, M. & Hilgendorf, E. (Editor), 1 Jan 2005, Beitr瓣ge zur Rechtsvisualisierung. 2005 ed. Logos Verlag, p. 51-121
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S. (Editor) & Voigt, R. (Editor), 1 Jan 2005, 2005 ed. Lit.
Research output: Book/Report Book - Published
Machura, S., Voigt, R. & Machura, S. (Editor), 1 Jan 2005, Krieg im Film.. 2005 ed. Lit, p. 9-22
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., Litvinova, O., Machura, S. (Editor) & Voigt, R. (Editor), 1 Jan 2005, Krieg im Film.. 2005 ed. Lit, p. 103-132
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., Machura, S. (Editor) & Voigt, R. (Editor), 1 Jan 2005, Krieg im Film.. 2005 ed. Lit, p. 155-183
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Asimov, M., Greenfield, S., Jorge, G., Machura, S., Osborn, G., Robson, P., Sharp, C. & Sockloskie, R., 1 Jan 2005, In: International Journal on the Legal Profession. 15, p. 407-436
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2005, VS Verlag f羹r Sozialwissenschaften.
Research output: Book/Report Book - Published
Haller, V., Machura, S. & Tyler, T. R. (Editor), 1 Jan 2005, Procedural Justice (International Library of Essays in Law and Society). 2005 ed. Ashgate, p. 197-215
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2005, Law and Popular Culture. Freeman, M. (ed.). 2005 ed. Oxford University Press, p. 148-159
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2005.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper
2004
- Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2004.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper - Published
Asimov, M., Greenfield, S., Jorge, G., Machura, S., Osborn, G., Robson, P., Sharp, C. & Sockloskie, R., 1 Jan 2004.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper - Published
Machura, S., Edeling, T. (Editor), Jann, W. (Editor) & Wagner, D. (Editor), 1 Jan 2004, Wissensmanagement in Politik und Verwaltung. 2004 ed. VS-Verlag f羹r Sozialwissenschaft, p. 131-146
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2004.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper
2003
- Published
Machura, S., Machura, S. (Editor) & Ulbrich, S. (Editor), 1 Jan 2003, Recht, Gesellschaft, Kommunikation.. 2003 ed. Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft, p. 129-142
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., Donskow, D. & Litvinova, O., 1 Jan 2003, Lit.
Research output: Book/Report Book - Published
Machura, S., 1 Apr 2003, In: Law and Policy. 25, 2, p. 123-150
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S. & Weiss, M., 1 Jan 2003.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper - Published
Machura, S. (Editor) & Ulbrich, S. (Editor), 1 Jan 2003, 2003 ed. Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft.
Research output: Book/Report Book - Published
Machura, S., Orth, B. (Editor), Schwietring, T. (Editor) & Weiss, J. (Editor), 1 Jan 2003, Soziologische Forschung. Stand und Perspektiven. 2003 ed. Leske und Budrich, p. 415-426
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
B繹hnke, M. & Machura, S., 1 Jul 2003, In: Public Understanding of Science. 12, 3, p. 319-333
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review
2002
- Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2002, In: Richter ohne Robe. 14, p. 57-61
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2002, In: Richter ohne Robe. 14, p. 10-14, 23
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., Ulbrich, S. & Machura, S. (Editor), 1 Jan 2002, Recht im Film.. 2002 ed. Nomos, p. 7-18
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2002.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper - Published
Machura, S. (Editor) & Ulbrich, S. (Editor), 1 Jan 2002, 2002 ed. Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft.
Research output: Book/Report Book - Published
Machura, S. & Barton, S. (Editor), 1 Jan 2002, Verfahrensgerechtigkeit und Zeugenbeweis. 2002 ed. Nomos, p. 195-232
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
B繹hnke, M. & Machura, S., 1 Jan 2002.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper
2001
- Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2001, In: Zeitschrift f羹r Rechtssoziologie. 22, 2, p. 293-297
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2001, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft.
Research output: Book/Report Book - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2001.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2001, In: American Sociologist. 32, 2, p. 41-60
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2001, In: International Review of Penal Law. 72, 1-2, p. 451-479
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S. (Editor) & Robson, P. (Editor), 1 Jan 2001, 2001 ed. WileyBlackwell.
Research output: Book/Report Book - Published
Robson, P. & Machura, S., 1 Mar 2001, In: Journal of Law and Society. 28, p. 1-8
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S. & Ulbrich, S., 1 Mar 2001, In: Journal of Law and Society. 28, 1, p. 117-132
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2001, In: Verwaltungsrundschau. 47, p. 1-5
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S. & Japanese Association of Sociology of Law, [. V. (Editor), 1 Jan 2001, The role of the judiciary in changing societies. 2001 ed. Japanese Association of Sociology of Law, p. 129-150
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2001, In: Verwaltungsrundschau. 47, p. 79-83
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., Edeling, T. (Editor), Jann, W. (Editor), Wagner, D. (Editor) & Reichard, C. (Editor), 1 Jan 2001, ffentliche Unternehmen: Entstaatlichung und Privatisierung?. 2001 ed. Leske und Budrich, p. 95-112
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter
2000
- Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2000, In: Richter ohne Robe. 12, p. 111-116
Research output: Contribution to journal Article peer-review - Published
Machura, S., 1 Jan 2000.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper - Published
Machura, S. & Ulbrich, S., 1 Jan 2000.
Research output: Contribution to conference Paper
Activities
2024
The film Anatomie d'une chute aka Anatomy of a Fall (2023), directed by Justine Triet, is a powerful interpersonal drama and a whodunit as the viewer is left to find out if a murder has been committed. The paper concentrates mainly on the third genre to which Anatomy belongs: the courtroom drama. It turns out that the film has many such elements. But it is an atypical courtroom drama as it has no lawyer hero. Presented are issues around the reliability of witness statements, especially of children, the stories constructed for use in court and the heavy burden for those affected all not unfamiliar from real trials.
25 Nov 2024
Links:
In England and Wales, trust in the police has suffered from relentless reports about poor
service and serious officer misbehaviour. The contribution of media, especially social media,
to reduction in police trust is unclear. In the current study, students at five universities in
London and Wales completed a questionnaire to identify factors influencing student trust in
the police in England and Wales. Results highlighted an association of social media, of
television, film, and novels with trust in the police. When it comes to aspects of perceived
police behaviour, students were especially concerned about response to emergencies, to
domestic abuse and about officers attitude towards women. The results suggest that police
trust may be improved through working with media and by improving how officers interact with citizens, especially women.
The project results in unique insights which can influence how the police informs the public
and how it tries to address the needs of young people. In its reach, it goes beyond previous
studies by the author, for example:
Machura, Stefan, Almjnoni, Salim, Vavrik, Boris, and Williams, Einir (2022). Welsh
Nationalism, Language and Students Trust in the UK Police. International Journal of Politics,
Culture, and Society, 35, 6784. Online: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10767-020-09379-z.
Data have been sampled in February 2023.
4 Sep 2024
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)3 Sep 2024 6 Sep 2024
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)From 3 to 6 September 2024, 挓乾勛圖 hosts the Research Committee on Sociology of Law (RCSL) international conference. The conference topic is Representing Law and alludes to the necessity to represent, symbolise, and communicate law. It covers a range of socio-legal topics RCSL members and others are researching, such as the work of lawyers, the handling of law by public officials, law in the arts and in popular culture.
3 Sep 2024 6 Sep 2024
Links:
Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Speaker)This is the Inaugural Speech at the Representing Law conference of the Research Committee on Sociology of Law at 挓乾勛圖 from 3 to 6 September 2024. The presentation introduced delegates to the conference topic, especially the representation of law in media. A recent TV mini-series Mr Bates & the Post Office forms an example for how law is portrayed. Demonstrated is the power of artful media products to influence the law by instigating heavy public criticism.
3 Sep 2024
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)In England and Wales, trust in the police has suffered from relentless reports about poor service and serious officer misbehaviour. The contribution of media, especially social media, to reduction in police trust is unclear. In the current study, students at five universities in London and Wales completed a questionnaire to identify factors influencing student trust in the police in England and Wales. Results highlighted an association of social media, of television, film, and novels with trust in the police. When it comes to aspects of perceived police behaviour, students were especially concerned about response to emergencies, to domestic abuse and about officers attitude towards women. Key is the perceived response to sexual abuse. The results suggest that police trust may be improved through work with media and by improving how officers interact with citizens, especially women.
19 Jun 2024
Links:
Discussant for a talk by Barbara Hughes-Moore, on occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Journal of Law and Society.
11 Jun 2024
Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Speaker)A Roundtable organised by the UK Socio-legal Studies Association, US Aid, and the School of Sociology and Law at the I. Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. Stefan Machura explained in a power point presentation how socio-legal research with students can be done.
30 May 2024
Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Speaker)The youth court is largely unknown territory. Trials proceed behind closed doors. In 2015/2016, I had the opportunity to observe six trial days in London and north Wales.
In general, my impression of the youth court is much more positive than of adult courts. An initial adversarial procedure is followed by an investigatory phase. Magistrates appear genuinely interested in the juveniles and their cases. The presiding magistrate engages in dialogue with the juveniles.
Prosecutors, lawyers, legal advisors, YOT appear competent and in many cases personally engaged.
Generally, the objective of retribution yields to an attempt to better the juveniles life.
I would like to study the youth court on a wider scale to see if this picture applies more generally.
18 Jan 2024
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
2023
Knowledge about law comes from a variety of sources, including fictional films and television shows. There has been a long debate about what these influences look like. Do they end up damaging the reputation of lawyers, courts or the police? For dramaturgical reasons, legal representations in popular culture contrast justice figures with injustice figures (N. Rafter). But it's usually the case that the former have the upper hand. However, the audience is not encouraged to have blind trust; rather, fictional formats support a classically liberal view of the law: things can go wrong and therefore constitutional guarantees are needed. This is the most general message that film and television send about law.
In addition, the large amount of US products presents this particular legal system to the audience. Misunderstandings can therefore arise. The interest that viewers show in legal representations is also crucial: those who have negative direct experiences may choose films and programs that are critical of the judiciary, the law, police, or lawyers, and reject those with a positive message. Depictions based on historical events tend to present a disturbing view. Ultimately, the cases remained in consciousness because they did not appear to be solved convincingly. Another extremely critical subgenre is military court dramas, which usually show how the rights of individuals are sacrificed for political goals.
22 Sep 2023
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)In surveys, respondents are ready to admit that they are influenced by works of popular culture in what they think about the law. Likewise, academics and practitioners often assume this, being concerned about a negative image painted of their profession. Determining content and effect of films and television broadcasts is complicated by the sheer number of productions and the diversity of audiences. However, there seems to be a conservative streak in popular legal culture. For a start, stories need to be understandable to a broad audience, so that they should not deviate too much from peoples experiences and existing cultural patterns. Writers and directors often aim at if not high art, then at recognition of their works which comes with following in the footsteps of other artists. Yet, a simple repetition of the old would not be entertaining, therefore producers of popular legal culture must vary their products. They often resort to drawing on cases that are not yet settled in the court of public opinion, or on causes that are debated in society and the treatment of in film will attract an audience. In addition, there is a strong tradition of social issue dramas that seek to sway the audience in favour of social reform. As a result, the audience is presented with the possibility of a different reality, or in some cases, invited to contribute to legal reform. In this way, works of popular legal culture are a conservative force and a force for incremental change as well.
30 Jun 2023
Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)The presentation at the 2023 "European Day of Lay Judges" in Sofia showed that lay judges are part of European legal culture. Most countries have lay judges in civil or criminal courts. The typical form lay participation takes are mixed courts where professional and lay judges collaborate. Other forms of lay participation include single judges/mediators and juries. The presentation continued to highlight the conditions under which there are changes in levels of lay participation.
13 May 2023
Links:
2022
A major part of the tv and film audiences diet is formed by stories about crime and law. Focusing primarily on fiction, the paper discusses what audiences can learn from these. It draws on a range of social science and media theories but also on a series of studies the author has conducted in Germany and the UK. On balance, tv and film suggest that it is good to have law, courts, and other institutions as well as the various professions involved. A predominantly positive picture is drawn, despite the need to have worthy opponents, injustice figures to use the term of Nicole Rafter, to produce interesting drama. Some subgenres do, though, paint a darker picture, namely, court martial films and films after notorious legal cases. Nevertheless, all in all, the audience learns to trust in the law, its personnel and institutions, but not blindly.
15 Jul 2022
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)The presentation to police officers from Wales and Merseyside concentrates on introducing one study that aimed at the specific local and at the more general factors influencing trust in North Wales Police:
Machura, Stefan, Jones, Stephanie O. P., W羹rgler, Alexandra, Cuthbertson, Joanna, and Hemmings, Alannah (2019). National Identity and Distrust in the Police: The Case of North West Wales. European Journal of Criminology, 16, 60-80.
Article abstract: "Trust in the police, as defined by perceived procedural fairness, just decisions and effectivity, may be impacted by deep political divisions among the population, especially where citizens adopt opposing national identities. In Europe, North West Wales is one such area. Nationalism is intensified by language issues (Welsh vs. English) and historical experiences of UK institutions.
A sample of 207 residents living within the local authority of Gwynedd were asked to take part in the study. A questionnaire survey addressed how much trust in the police ultimately depends upon national identity as expressed by preference for the Welsh language, trust in UK institutions and attitudes towards political symbols. Other factors tested included personal experience of the
police, the influence of news reports and police TV series, as well as the perceived effectiveness of the police in addressing crime. Trust in UK institutions, preference for the Welsh language and news reporting were found to have most influence on trust in the police."
30 Jun 2022
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)The presentation shows how research and teaching can be integrated successfully. The presenter uses examples from his own work on "visual criminology". They range from confronting students with images and audio-visual material and observing their reactions during the teaching to conducting a full empirical study with an MA student seminar.
27 Jun 2022
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)It is very typical of opera that the drama unfolds with transgressions against the law or social norms, and that character flaws and societal corruption are revealed. Opera forms a very rich combination of theatre and music, drawing on orchestral music, song, acting, stage architecture, and a plethora of other dramaturgical devices. The resulting overwhelming effect on the audience may well balance out the pronounced artificiality of this form of art and leave a lasting message, the content of which will depend on factors identified in the law and popular culture literature. For the analysis of opera, we suggest making use of recorded operas and compare the meaning created in the different performances.
17 Jun 2022
Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)Exploring the Impact & Implications of Covid-19 on the Youth Justice System, Manchester Metropolitan University. From website: "On Wednesday 27th April 2022, the Manchester Centre for Youth Studies (MCYS), along with the Alliance for Youth Justice (AYJ), hosted the Exploring the Impact and Implications of Covid-19 on the Youth Justice System (YJS) End of Project Event. This was a hybrid event, both in-person and online via Zoom, attended by professionals from across all parts of the YJS, some of whom had been interviewed as part of the research. The aim of the day was to share our research findings in relation to the impact of Covid-19 on the courts, community, and youth custody. It provided an opportunity for delegates to discuss the findings and their own experience of how Covid-19 has impacted on their work and future challenges for the YJS coming out of the pandemic. Additionally, there was an expert panel of youth justice professionals that took part in a lively audience Questions and Answers session."
27 Apr 2022
Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Participant)
2021
The talk deals with ways how the public can be engaged to take part in the discussion on the future legal system in Wales. It starts with an analysis of the development of society in Wales, different positions people take in relation to Welsh devolution, and the fragmented pattern in which society gets information on law and justice today.
8 Oct 2021
Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)It is very typical of operas that the drama unfolds with transgression against the law and that character flaws and those of the society are revealed. Opera forms a very rich combination of theatre and music, drawing on orchestral music, song, acting, stage architecture, and a plethora of other dramaturgical devices. The resulting overwhelming effect on the audience may well balance out the pronounced artificiality of this form of art and leave a lasting message.
22 Sep 2021
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)Meeting of the RCSL Working Group on Law and Popular Culture, following on the day after the RCSL (Research Committee on Sociology of Law in the International Sociological Association) 2021 virtual conference.
22 Sep 2021
Links:
In the UK, teaching aspects of Crime and the Media is part of the model curriculum for criminology as a subject. The paper introduces a concept for a Crime and the Media module, as offered at 挓乾勛圖 (Wales) for undergraduates. Its roots go back to a Law in Film module taught by the presenter at the Ruhr-Universit瓣t Bochum (Germany), starting in 1995.
A Crime and the Media module should take account of the findings from academic
research and the students own contemporary experiences with media. The content of a module can be extraordinarily varied: drawing on different media from different times to highlight developments, and on examples from a range of countries.
Students can be introduced to methods of systematic content analysis, for example, focusing on news values in news stories, or on entertainment values in films and tv series on crime.
Through group discussions, student presentations, essays involving small-scale
empirical research and other methods, students should be included as active learners.
An additional attraction of such a module is that it supplements the lecturers own research on crime, media and audience reactions.
9 Sep 2021
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)While it is true that the globalisation of supply chains has brought with it the problem of labour exploitation in foreign countries, modern slavery is also present in the United Kingdom. The UK has introduced a Modern Slavery Act in 2015. It wont be effective if extreme forms of exploitation that fall under its remit go unrecognised. In an empirical study (Machura et al. 2019), students and police officers were given seven scenarios developed from real cases and the literature. It turns out that police officers recognise most of the scenarios, in contrast to students. Identifying situations as modern slavery appears related to strong moral disapproval, resulting in preferences for harsher punishment. Disapproval of injustice drives peoples reactions and, if the public are made more aware of the issue, can form the foundation of more successfully addressing this category of crimes.
Literature: Machura, Stefan, Short, Fay, Hill, Victoria Margaret, Suddaby, Catherine Rhian, Goddard, Ffion Elena, Jones, Sophie Elisabeth, Lloyd-Astbury, Emma Louise, Richardson, Luke, Rouse, and Chernise, Alexandra (2019). Recognising Modern Slavery. Journal of Human Trafficking, 5, 201-219.
9 Jul 2021
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)The lower criminal court in England and Wales is the Magistrates Court. Here, cases are heard by panels of lay judges, supported by a legal adviser, or less frequently by professional judges. The Magistrates Courts have undergone sweeping changes in recent years, mainly under the flag of cost efficiency. Trials are most often brief, and the defendants tend to be economically destitute, or otherwise socially disadvantaged. For lawyers, these circumstances provide a challenging environment that is decidedly glamourless.
The presenter has conducted observations in Magistrates Courts in England and Wales, in city courts and in semi-rural and rural courts (Machura, in print). The observations revealed striking differences between the youth court and trials against adults. The presentation focuses on the constraints that the social setting at Magistrates Courts imposes on lawyers and how lawyers adapt to them.
Literature: Machura, Stefan (in print). and my right 抾 The Magistrates Courts in England and Wales. In Shari S. Diamond, Valerie Hans, Sanja Kutnjak Ivkovich and Nancy Marder (eds.), Juries, Lay Judges, and Mixed Courts: A Global Perspective, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
11 Jun 2021
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)Presentation "Lay Judges at Courts of Appeals" at the 2021 Annual Conference of the Law and Society Association. And participating in the conference.
27 May 2021 30 May 2021
Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Speaker)The magistrates of England and Wales are a unique legal decision-making group, compared with lay decision-makers in other parts of the world. They differ from juries (such as criminal juries in the USA) and they differ from lay assessors in mixed courts (such as the Sch繹ffengericht at the German lower criminal court). For example, they acquire much more court experience. The prestige of the office also differs fundamentally: being a US juror is not perceived as a special honour. German lay assessors (Sch繹ffen) may feel a sense of honour for being selected. But being a magistrate (Justice of the Peace) is more clearly a highly esteemed position in English and Welsh society.
The magistrates essentially are the court: because they are the decision-makers. So they can develop a feeling of belonging to their bench, whereas it is difficult for Sch繹ffen and impossible for jurors to develop a feeling of belonging to the court.
The decision-making powers given to the three types of lay decision makers vary considerably. German lay assessors have the same rights as the professional judge in a running court hearing and are involved in all decisions here, but they are not involved in the pretrial phase. The magistrates take pretrial decisions, and they have comprehensive powers in the main hearing. The US jury typically only hears the evidence the judge permits and the prosecutor and defense attorney present in arguing their cases. To summarize, these are three very different forms of lay participation and the magistrates in England and Wales wield the most power in the cases they handle.
30 Mar 2021
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)Talk in the Seminar Series of the School of History, Philosophy and Social Sciences. Visual criminology as a field of research in criminology has been introduced. After a definition and an outline of the history of visual criminology and its relation to other areas of visual studies, examples of the methods of visual criminology and the findings they elicited have been presented.
21 Mar 2021
Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)
2020
Visual criminology concerns itself with how crimes and societys reaction to crime are depicted and perceived. Jeff Ferrell, Keith Haywood and Jock Young have been credited for creating the term visual criminology in their 2008 book Cultural Criminology: An Invitation (Rafter 2017, 60), although research in this area goes back for much longer. Indeed, at the turn of the millenium, in numerous subject areas there was an increased interest in for example, visual research methods, the representation of institutions in the media, popular culture, including popular legal culture, and the public display of power, deviance and control. Criminologists, social psychologists, legal scholars and sociologists of law among others started systematic research and began to include aspects into their teaching as well as their publication output. So varied are the strands of scholarship, that any attempt to a full and encompassing review is bound to fail. The paper will discuss and assess the methods used by scholars engaging with visual criminology. This will include the authors own (Machura 2007) analysis scheme for law-related films and its transferability to other areas of study. Machura, S. (2007). An analysis scheme for law films. Baltimore law review, 36, 329-345. Rafter, N. (2017). Crime films and visual criminology. In M. Brown & E. Carrabine (Eds.), Routledge international handbook of visual criminology, (pp. 53-61). London: Routledge.
11 Sep 2020
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
2019
Pesentation "Guilt and Shame in Popular Legal Culture: the German TV Movie "Die Konferenz"
Abstract:
Guilt and shame can be connected in a variety of ways. This is exemplified by the German TV film Die Konferenz (2004), which in the tradition of the classic American jury drama 12 Angry Men (1957) has a conference of teachers deciding on the fate of a young man accused of raping a female student. The memorable plot and excellent acting in Die Konferenz further our understanding of the complexities involved in trying to find truth and justice.
30 Nov 2019
Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Speaker)Under the headings of Rechtssoziologie in Germany and socio-legal studies in the UK, scholarly traditions have developed that relate law to its social environment. The paper identifies key stages in the development the subject took in both countries and the directions of travel. The author takes his description of the German Rechtssoziologie (Machura 2012) as a starting point to find comparative milestones and directions in the UK. This includes the institutionalization of the subject along the lines of programmatic texts, inclusion into university education, establishment of research institutes, academic associations and specialised journals. Does the development tell something beyond sociology of law/socio-legal studies, namely about the relation of law and sociology, the parent subjects themselves, as well as about academic studies and professional/institutional practice?
Machura, Stefan (2012). The German Sociology of Law: A Case of Path Dependency. International Journal of Law in Context, 8, 506-523.
24 Sep 2019
Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)Presentation on Law in German Film and Television and organizing two sessions on popular legal culture
19 Jun 2019 21 Jun 2019
Links:
Delivered key note "Laypersons - attitudes to, experiences with law".
International conference organised by the French-German research institute Centre Marc Bloch in cooperation with Humboldt University Berlin
8 May 2019
Links:
A discussion of the US/Italian and Soviet films based on Leo Tostoy's novel "War and Peace". The presentation highlights the differences of the films and traces them back to the forces governing film production in the 1950s in the USA and in the Soviet Union of the 1960s.
28 Feb 2019
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
2018
English title: "Globalization of legal culture - the contribution of popular media".
The presentation at the session "Herausforderungen der Globalisierung Soziologische und rechtssoziologische Perspektiven, organised by the Sociology of Law Section of the German Sociological Association was invited by the section chair. Content of the presentation: The popular media project an idealized image of US or "Western" justice to a world-wide audience. The typical message amounts to an endorsement of the court system, the legal profession and generally a liberal concept of law. The audience member is even assigned a role: in any legal conflict, they are supposed to mobilise the (state) law.
26 Sep 2018
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)The presentation develops criteria for the entertainment value of law-related TV broadcasts. There are: conflict, violation of norms, humour, threats and rewards, representation of the viewers/identification, strong and weak authorities (heroes), discovery/mistery, self-reference, stories and believability. These factors can be endlessly varied and the producers can count on the viewing public's interest. In addition, law, legal personnel, and institutions tend to be portrayed positively. A liberal political perspective is being advocated.
14 Sep 2018
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)I have been invited to present the German case at the Featured Session "Mapping the Current State at Socio-legal Studies II". My presentation covered the range of disciplines in the field and the different approaches taken to be heard by legal scholars. The Ehrlich-Kelsen debate and its historic effect was a key which has disadvantaged Sociology of Law. Lawyers have later taken a range of views how socio-legal studies can be integrated into the study of law. This ranges from the view that they are an integral part of a combined legal science, to being an "auxiliary", to not being relevant at all. The presentation also covered the problems of finding secure institutional ground for socio-legal studies at German universities.
11 Sep 2018
Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)The presentation at the "Developments in Popular Legal Culture II" panel contributed to the activities of the RCSL Working Group Law and Popular Culture. The author has conducted a number of studies over recent years that investigate people's opinion on the courts, lawyers and the police. In this context, as one of the explanatory variables, the consumption of law-related TV shows, and the influence of novels, TV and film has been tested. The presentation investigated if there is a change regarding the consumption and influence of those media.
10 Sep 2018
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)After a lot of scholarly work went into discussion of individual films and shows, into genres and some into research methodology, it is about time to look at the theories that can be employed to illuminate this area of popular legal culture. Sociology of law has a surprising variety of approaches that can be of help here. They can be rounded up by theories developed in film studies.
The systems theory of Niklas Luhmann states that society has its subsystems for law, media, art and so on and makes assumptions how systems are reacting to events and developments. It also consequentially defines society as world society, which chimes well with the international, almost universal appeal of some of the products of popular legal culture.
Why do people take an interest in the depiction of the law anyhow? Here, we can draw on Durkheims sociological theory in which basically every member of society has an interest to see the key social norms upheld. Where there is increased social change, this motivation is only to get stronger. Later approaches add to this the fairness of procedures employed by the authorities and the qualities of decision-makers. All this is mirrored in numerous law-related films and TV shows.
A theory of entertainment values can be used to understand what kind of stories on law are being told. It has similarities to Niklas Luhmanns news value criteria among which conflict and deviance from norms are already mentioned.
10 Sep 2018
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)Lay Magistrates in England and Wales
Lay Participation, Juries and Other Forms of Law Participation, Criminal justice,
In England and Wales, numerous tribunals and courts have lay participation. The most prominent is certainly the jury. However, the greatest influence is arguably exerted by the Lay Magistrates who have some civil law responsibilities, but most importantly, all criminal cases pass through their courts. Today, developments such as the increasing use of professional judges in the Magistrates Courts to shift cases quickly, the proliferation of diversionary measures away from court trials and the closing down of many local, outlier court venues have left Magistrates concerned. Our presentation will focus not only on the environment in which the lay judges operate, but will also ask for the experiences that citizens have who appear at the Magistrates Courts.
In England and Wales, numerous tribunals and courts have lay participation. The most prominent is certainly the jury. However, the greatest influence is arguably exerted by the Lay Magistrates. They have some civil law responsibilities, but most importantly, all criminal cases pass through their courts. Today, developments such as the increasing use of professional judges in the Magistrates' Courts to shift cases quickly, the proliferation of diversionary measures away from court trials and the closing of many local, outlier court venues have left Magistrates concerned.
7 Jun 2018
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)Stefan Machura
Observations in Magistrates Courts: Space and Interaction
I am reporting experiences from observations in Magistrates Courts, adult and juvenile section. Some of the observations were conducted with students as part of an MA research module. A key insight is that Magistrates Courts and the behaviour observed vary considerably. Some if it relates to the layout of the courtroom. Where defendants and professionals sit enables or disables their participation. This not only applies to the well-known issues around the us of secure docks for defendants.
In addition, youth courts were found to facilitate procedurally just treatment of defendants much more than courts for adults. One could say they are less of a pure object of the procedure. Though, most of them are not mature enough to use this to their advantage. The more paternalistic action of the youth magistrates, the contributions of the YOT representatives and defence lawyers, just occasionally interventions of parents and of key workers of institutionalised defendants, fill in the gap left by the defendants weakness.
In terms of sociological and social psychological theory, the observations resonate with procedural justice theory as put forward by Gerald Leventhal and Tom R. Tyler, but also with aspects of Niklas Luhmanns theory of the court procedure.
30 Apr 2018
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
2017
The talk provided an overview on how the academic field of "Law and Film" has developed up to 2017. It covered research methods and main findings. Aspects of film productions, the messages for the audience and the effect on audiences were covered.
13 Oct 2017
Links:
Drivers unfit to steer their vehicles form a major road hazard and they commit a crime. In February 2016, 423 students from 挓乾勛圖 (Wales, UK) took part in a questionnaire study. They have been asked if they would be driving a car after a) drinking alcohol and b) when taking prescribed medication coming with a warning not to drive. A variety of variables are considered to explain the inclination to drive under those conditions. They include the inclination to engage in imprudent behaviour, perceived dangerousness of driving, and perceived legitimacy of the law. The results suggest that while inclination towards imprudent behaviour affects driving under the influence of medication, driving under alcohol is related to perceived general dangerousness of driving. Driving under medication is also related to legitimacy of law; the difference may come from how public discourse deals with the two types of behaviour.
17 Sep 2017
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)Modern Slavery comprises of forms of extreme labour exploitation. With its Modern Slavery Law 2015, the UK is said to be at the forefront of international efforts to address the crime. But to be effective, members of the public and officers of government agencies need to be able to recognize situations as modern slavery. Students and police officers were given seven scenarios developed from real cases and the literature. It turns out that police officers recognise most of the scenarios, in contrast to students. Respondents were more likely to do so if they advocated more severe punishments. This supports the assumptions of thinkers like Emile Durkheim that violations of the law are responded to with moral judgements.
6 Jul 2017
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)Presentation of the German case on the roundtable Sociology on Sociology of Law as Empirical Science, Research Committee on Sociology of Law, International Sociological Association
23 Jun 2017
Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)Presentation for the Graduate Student Workshop at the conference
20 Jun 2017 23 Jun 2017
Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)As for ESC Conference in Cardiff, September 2017
15 May 2017 16 May 2017
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)Students and police officers have been asked to participate in a questionnaire study in order to find out if they can recognise cases of modern slavery. Further questions aimed at identifying the antecedents.
15 May 2017 16 May 2017
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
2016
Fourth meeting of the German-speaking sociology of law associations (those from Austria, Germany and Switzerland). The conferences attract a wide spectrum of scholars from law, social sciences and related subjects. They are the leading events for them in those countries. There also are participants from neighbouring countries, including the UK:
I have been a member of the programme committee and involved in the decisions leading up to the conference since 2016.
1 Jan 2016 15 Sep 2018
Links:
2009
Co-editor of the Menai Papers
2009 2012
Activity: Editorial activity (Editorial board member)
2005
Encyclopedia of Crime, Media, and Popular Culture, co-editor
2005
Activity: Editorial activity (Editorial board member)
2004
Presiding editorial board of the RCSL newsletter which goes out to members worldwide and is available online.
2004
Activity: Editorial activity (Editorial board member)
2003
Gesellschaft und Recht (Society and Law), book series, co-editor
2003
Activity: Editorial activity (Editorial board member)
2000
Co-editor of the journal since 2000. 2003 2010 book review editor, 2010 2014 main editor
1 Jan 2000
Activity: Editorial activity (Editorial board member)Co-editor: "Schriften zur Rechtspolitologie" book series
2000 2008
Activity: Editorial activity (Editorial board member)
Projects
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01/12/2024 31/08/2026 (Active)
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01/01/2023 17/09/2024 (Finished)
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01/10/2011 29/06/2012 (Finished)
Links:
Other Grants and Projects
At 挓乾勛圖, Stefan Machura has conducted a series of empirical studies on the public perception of police and courts. The studies focus on citizens direct and indirect sources of information ranging from contacting police and appearing in court to the effects of popular TV series and of having family and friends in the police or the legal profession.
2015 and 2016, in collaboration with Penny Darbyshire (Kingston University), trials at youth courts were systematically observed and interviews with judges, lawyers, social workers and prosecutors, as well as experts, conducted. Stefan Machura continued these studies in the following years.
In 2016, Stefan Machura investigated the inclination of students to drive while under the influence of alcohol or of a prescription drug which comes with a warning that it impairs the ability to control a car.
In collaboration with Fay Short (School of Psychology) and North Wales Police, Stefan Machura studied how police officers and members of the public react to cases constituting a breach of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Data were sampled in the first half of 2017, resulting in more than 800 returned questionnaires.
In 2023, in cooperation with North Wales Police, Gwent Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales Police and partners from four universities, Stefan Machura has investigated the effects of national media coverage on local trust and confidence. The project was funded by the All-Wales Policing Academic Collaboration.