Professor Matthew Ball

Biography

Matthew is an Associate Professor in the School of Justice, having joined the school in 2008. His research focuses on the intersections between sexuality, gender, and criminal justice. Matthew has established an international research profile in the field of Queer Criminology, having written and edited two foundational texts in the field - Criminology and Queer Theory: Dangerous Bedfellows? (Palgrave) and Queering Criminology (co-edited with Angela Dwyer and Thomas Crofts, Palgrave). He has also co-edited a further four journal special issues on Queer Criminology, including: a special issue of Critical Criminology titled 'Queer/ing Criminology: New Directions and Frameworks' (with Carrie L. Buist and Jordan Blair Woods), a special issue of Current Issues in Criminal Justice titled 'Queer(y)ing Justice' (with Angela Dwyer, Nicole Asquith, Justin Ellis, and Trudie Broderick), and two special issues titled 'LGBTIQA Issues in Criminology and Criminal Justice' (with Henry F. Fradella) for the Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice and Criminal Justice Studies. Matthew is the 2021 recipient of the Western Society of Criminology's Richard Tewksbury Award for significant contributions to scholarship or activism on the intersection of crime and sexuality. Matthew is also an active member of the American Society of Criminology Division of Queer Criminology and the Division of Critical Criminology and Social Justice. He co-convened the first Queer Criminology symposium in Australia (in 2014), as well as the 'Queer(y)ing Justice in the Global South' conference (in 2018), among other events. From 2012-2015, Matthew was a Visiting Fellow in the Centre for Sex, Gender, and Sexualities at Durham University, UK. Matthew is a founding editor of the Routledge book series Queering Criminology and Criminal Justice. He is currently on the editorial board for Critical Criminology: An International Journal and Current Issues in Criminal Justice. Matthew has previously served on the editorial boards of the International Journal for Crime, Justice, and Social Democracy, and Legal Education Review. Matthew is currently the Research Coordinator in the School of Justice, and Chair of the School of Justice Workloads Committee. He has previously been the School of Justice Confirmations and Final Seminars Co-Chair, the School of Justice Higher Degrees Research Coordinator, the Faculty of Law Equity Chair, and an academic representative on the QUT LGBTIQA+ Action Plan Working Party. He continues to play an active role in equity-related activities in the School and Faculty. Outside of QUT, Matthew is a mentor for the Pinnacle Foundation, supporting young LGBT+ students attending university. He is also a Director of Union College at the University of Queensland.