Dr Carl Bradley
Vale, Dr Carl Bradley
It is with great sadness that we report the untimely passing of our wonderful friend and colleague, Dr Carl Bradley, on 27 May 2021. Many will know Carl for his work as a tutor through 2020 - in CRIM111 Introduction to Criminology, CRIM303 Prisons in Aotearoa New Zealand, and CRIM 326 Criminology Research Methods. We were delighted when earlier this year he took a post to coordinate and teach CRIM 326. We were looking forward to working with him for a long time to come.
Only eight days before he passed, Carl presented a seminar on his long-term research collaboration walking alongside the Black Power Movement Whakatane - who are 30 years into a 100-year plan to reshape the culture of their chapter and the wider Black Power Movement in their region. Like all Carl’s teaching and research, the project reflected his social justice ideals. He had put many years into building these relationships, and now wanted to challenge the dominant narrative of gangs and explore the possibilities of using the patch for good. It was truly transformative work.
Carl had recently finished his first book (to be published in August). Outlaw Bikers and Ancient Warbands: hyper-masculinity and cultural continuity is a pioneering work that explores the hyper-masculine culture that connects many male groups – from the police and military to sporting groups to outlaw biker gangs. He shows how male culture and male power have been continually prioritised.
We will miss Carl deeply as a scholar and a teacher but, even more so, as a human being we loved having around. He brought so much light to what can be hard subjects and difficult conversations. He nourished us. Made us laugh. Guided us. He enacted manaakitanga and kotahitanga at every turn. We were loved and lifted by him.
Carl’s passing is such a loss, to all of us in the School. But we also feel great fortune to have worked alongside him, and to have had him as a truly inspirational scholar and generous friend.
Vale, Carl.
Ka heke ngā kapua o te rangi,
ka heke te ua ki runga o Papatūānuku,
ka heke ngā roimata a Ranginui,
ka heke te pōuri o te pō.
Ka tangi, ka tangi, ka tangi ai te ngakau.
Moe mai ra e te whatukura.
…………………………
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Information about student wellbeing services at Victoria University can also be found at https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/students/support