Travis Linnemann

Travis Linnemann is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work at Kansas State University, within the College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on cultural criminology, examining how crime, violence, and disorder are represented in media and society. He holds a PhD from Kansas State University (2011) and has authored influential books such as The Horror of Police (2022) and Meth Wars: Police, Media, Power (2016). His work explores the intersection of policing, media, and power, particularly regarding systemic violence and social control.

Education:

• PhD in Sociology, Kansas State University (2011)
• M.A. in Sociology, Kansas State University (2006)
• B.S. in Sociology, Emporia State University (1997)

Research Interests:
Linnemann’s work centers on cultural criminology, critical perspectives on policing, and the representation of crime in media. Key themes include the normalization of police violence, the drug war’s cultural narratives, and the haunting legacies of crime and punishment. His interdisciplinary approach integrates sociology, cultural studies, and media analysis.

Publications:
Linnemann has authored/co-authored over 30 articles and books, including works on methamphetamine’s media portrayal, ghost criminology, and police abolition. His recent scholarship critiques the societal structures perpetuating police violence and explores alternative frameworks for justice.

Awards:

• Jock Young, Criminological Imagination Book Award (2022)
• American Society of Criminology’s Critical Criminologist of the Year (2017)

Advising & Grants:
While specific student advisees are not listed, Linnemann mentors graduate students in critical criminology and cultural studies. His research is supported by grants focusing on media representation and police studies. He currently serves on editorial boards for Theoretical Criminology, Crime, Media, Culture, and co-edits Emerald’s Studies in Culture, Criminal Justice, and the Arts series.

Labs/Teams:
Linnemann collaborates with international scholars, including co-editing projects with Michelle Brown (University of Tennessee) and Theo Kindynis (Goldsmiths). His work intersects with global criminological networks addressing systemic violence and media’s role in shaping crime narratives.