The Danger Imperative: Violence, Death, and the Soul of Policing

Sociologist Michael Sierra-Arévalo will address the culture of violence within law enforcement institutions at 2 p.m., Friday, April 5, in the Honors Commons at the M.D. Anderson Library as part of the restorative justice lecture series hosted by the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center at the Hobby School of Public Affairs.

Sierra-Arévalo will discuss his book, "The Danger Imperative: Violence, Death, and the Soul of Policing," which delves into the underlying forces behind police behavior through research and field examination, drawing from over 100 interviews and 1,000 hours with law enforcement officers. An expert in public safety, he seeks to understand the intricacies and cultural framework of modern policing in America.

Attendees can purchase a copy of "The Danger Imperative: Violence, Death, and the Soul of Policing" at the lecture for signing by the author from Kindred Stories, a local bookstore in the Third Ward community. Registration is free but required.

About the speaker

Sierra-Arévalo is an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology and associate director of the Liberal Arts Honors Program at the University of Texas at Austin. His book "The Danger Imperative: Violence, Death, and the Soul of Policing" shows how policing's preoccupation with danger shapes police culture and violence in the United States.

Sierra-Arévalo's research is published in leading journals, and his writing and research are widely featured in media, including The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Slate and NPR.

Sierra-Arévalo received his Ph.D. in Sociology from Yale University and his B.A. in Sociology and Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin.

About the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center

The Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership at the Hobby School of Public Affairs was established in 2020 through an endowment by Elizabeth D. Rockwell to enhance ethics and leadership scholarship and programming at the University of Houston. The Center sponsors lectures, visiting professorships, conferences and other programs that promote the study of ethics and leadership.

Directions

Off-campus guests can park in the Welcome Center Garage (4434 University Dr., Houston, TX 77204). Enter the garage on Martin Luther King Blvd. The M.D. Anderson Library is near Cullen Performance Hall and Student Centers North and South. The Honors Commons is on the second floor of the M.D. Anderson Library.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Honors Commons, M.D. Anderson Library, 4333 University Drive, Houston, United States