Cross-Cutting Perspectives on Governing Anti-Social Behaviour

1. ESRC Research Seminar Series‘Governing Through Anti-Social Behaviour’ ‘Governing Anti-Social Behaviour in Comparative Perspectives’ Centre for Criminal Justice Studies, University of Leeds 18 September 2008

2. Seminar Series • ‘Anti-social behaviour in housing and residential areas’, Sheffield Hallam University, 15 November 2007. • ‘Governing Anti-Social Behaviour through Schooling, Parenting and the Family’, Brighton University, 24 January 2008. • ‘Anti-Social Behaviour, Urban Spaces and the Night-time Economy’, University of Leeds, 17 April 2008. • ‘Diversity and Anti-Social Behaviour’, University of Birmingham, 5 June 2008. • ‘Comparative Experiences of Governing Anti-Social Behaviour and Disorder’, University of Leeds 18 September 2008. • ‘Situating Anti-Social Behaviour and Future Directions : Lessons from Research and Practice’ Final Dissemination Conference – King’s College, London, 22 April 2009. Series web site: www.law.leeds.ac.uk/esrcASB

3. Series Aims • To bring together research evidence from contemporary studies of anti-social behaviour and its regulation in a systematic and cross-cutting forum; • To draw insights and experiences from practice and innovation; • To exchange findings and experiences, as well as emerging ideas, innovations and insights; • To foster inter-disciplinary cross-fertilisation, knowledge transfer and networks of researchers and practitioners; • To draw comparative lessons from within and between parts of the UK as well as European and other international experiences; • To facilitate a dialogue and exchange between researchers, practitioners and policy-makers, notably regarding the scope for evidence-based policy in the field of anti-social behaviour’.

4. Aims for today • Situate the governance of anti-social behaviour in a wider comparative (European) frame of reference. • Explore the external influences upon contemporary anti-social behaviour policy and the movement/diffusion of policies across nations and between cities. • Compare and contrast policy and practice developments within the British Isles. • Consider the meaning, relevance and experience of governing anti-social behaviour in other European counties.

5. Words of Caution • Undue emphasis upon national comparisons – the nation as the unit of analysis. • Much policy innovation emanates from local or regional levels, which may or may not filter ‘upwards’. • Comparative lesson-learning is not restricted to nation-to-nation experiences or to the influence of supra-national institutions. • Existence of cross-national city-to-city and region-to-region connections, networks and travels. • National policies are differently implemented and interpreted, influenced by local cultures and traditions.

6. Lost in Translation? ‘Anti-Social Behaviour’ ‘disorder’, ‘incivilities’, ‘nuisance’, ‘community safety’, ‘respect’ ‘quality of life’, ‘zero tolerance’ Two meanings of translation: • Translate from one language to another – linguistic conversion expecting the same term to carry the same meaning in each language. • Translate from one place to another – contextual relocation assuming that the same term carries the same meaning in different social and cultural contexts. Learning not to translate – both literally and figuratively