Regulatory Myths

Overview

Since 2009, I have been interested in thinking about the ways in which stories are told about regulation, and then communicated via the media and public discourse. Often, this involves an emphasis on the most trivial, silly, or unusual issues and cases (goggles for conkers, anyone?), but this myth-led story-form is actually highly influential and effective in shaping public attitudes and political debate. My 2009 paper on this ended up being my most-cited piece of work; I have followed it up in 2015 with a study of the ways these stories have penetrated into policymaking and practice. It has also given me a way into working with some industry bodies, and speaking via the media about the work I have done, including in the Independent and Sunday Telegraph, and on BBC Newsnight, BBC News 24, Radio 4 (the Today Programme) and Radio 5 Live.

Key Publications

Almond, P. (2015) ‘Revolution Blues: The Reconstruction of Health and Safety Law as ‘Common-Sense’ Regulation’, Journal of Law and Society, 42/2: 202-229.

Almond, P. (2011), ‘Corporate Crime and the ‘Crippled Epistemology’ of Punitiveness’, in H. Kury and E. Shea (eds.) Punitivity –International Developments vol. 1: Punitiveness – An International Phenomenon?, Bochum: Universitatsverlag Brockmeyer, pp53-72.

Almond, P. (2009), ‘The Dangers of Hanging Baskets: Regulatory Myths' and Media Representations of Health and Safety Regulation’, Journal of Law and Society, 36/3: 352-375.