Qualifications
Master of Arts (Criminology), University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Arts (Honours), University of Melbourne
Overview
Matthew is a Senior Lecturer and the current Course Coordinator for Criminology and Justice degree. He graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2004 with a Master of Arts (Criminology), having majored in Criminology whilst completing his Bachelor of Arts (Honours). Matthew began working in Higher Education in 2001, when he tutored first-year Criminology at the University of Melbourne.
He first arrived at Navitas College of Public Safety in 2002, commencing work as a tutor in Drugs and Crime, Sentencing, and Theoretical Criminology. After spending a year in Japan teaching English, Matthew returned to NCPS in 2004. At present, he lectures in units including Corporate Crime, Deviance, Drugs and Crime, and Transnational Crime. Matthew’s research interests relate to transnational crime, migration (namely 'crimmigration'), the sociology of deviance, crime and the media, terrorism, and the sociology of religion. His previous research combined a number of these areas, focusing on the criminalisation of the Falun Gong by the Chinese Government, and in particular the application of the cult label to this group. Matthew's current research examines the treatment of irregular migrants by Western governments.
Research Areas
Matthew’s previous research engaged in the sociology of deviance and examined religious groups and the application of the ‘cult’ label. His current research considers Australia’s immigration policies through the lens of Necropolitics.
Teaching Areas
Matthew has taught a number of units within the Criminology and Justice discipline, including Applied Criminology, Corporate Crime, Drugs and Crime, Ethics, and Theoretical Criminology. He especially enjoys teaching units which more closely align with his research interests such as Deviance, Transnational Crime, and Terrorism and Society.
Conference presentations:
- Thurgood, M. and Lothian, J., 2016, “The need for innovation in law-making: applying the principles of Democratic Criminology to promote greater legitimacy in the law-making process.” Presentation at the Annual Navitas Professional Institute Conference, Melbourne Australia
- Thurgood, M, 2017, “The Importance of Scholarship to Teaching and Learning in Criminology.” Invited presentation at the Deakin University Symposium on Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Criminology, Geelong Australia
Professional Affiliations and Fellowships:
- Member, Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology (ANZSOC)
Recognition
- Fostering Student Engagement in T322.
- Inspiring, Motivating and Guiding in T322.