- 200 years
- Study
- International
- Business and employers
- Research
- About us
https://webcdn.mmu.ac.uk/profiles/img/profile-images/mike-sal-crop-145x145-53e21170bc931.jpg
I am a criminologist/ethnographer with a particular interest in offending careers over the life-course, illegal drug markets, and illegal drug use. My Ph.D (University of Manchester, 2014) was based on a six-year ethnography of drug suppliers: the mechanics of their operations and the reasons for their fluctuating involvement in the illicit drug supply-chain. In 2015 the study was awarded 'Best PhD' in Organised Crime by the International Association for the Study of Organized Crime (IASOC, Washington D.C.). I have studied the intricacies of drug markets at various levels of the supply chain - including at the retail, wholesale and import/export stages. I have published findings from my PhD, and I am currently publishing work based on my research into drug markets in Ibiza, and localised steroid (and other 'image and performance enhancing drugs') markets in the UK. My work draws upon theories/insights from sociology, economics and behavioural economics.
Teaching is one of the most rewarding elements of my job and is more than simply the dissemination of facts and figures. I enjoy being challenged by students, as I too like to challenge them. I currently co-lead the first-year criminological theory unit alongside Rebecca Askew: we use a range of theoretical paradgims to answer the seemingly simple questions - what is crime, why do people commit crime, and what can policies do about it. I also co-lead the drug trends and drug policy unit alongside Rob Ralphs, where we assess the evolution of drug users, markets and policy (including through the use of our own research as well experts (guest lectures) from policy think-tanks, to law-enforcement).
"Have some pride in what you do" (Abel Morales, from the film A Most Violent Year)
PGCert (2017) Manchester Metropolitan Unicersity
PhD (2014) The University of Manchester
MRes Criminology and Socio-legal Studies (2009) The University of Manchester
BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology (2007) Manchester Metropolitan University
2010-2014 – The University of Manchester, Teaching Assistant
My interests (as stated above) reside broadly in the area of criminal careers over the life-course, the use and supply of illegal drug markets.
N. Gibbs, M. Salinas, L. Turnock (2022). Post‐industrial masculinities and gym culture: Graft, craft, and fraternity. The British Journal of Sociology. 73(1), pp.220-236.
M. Berry, M. Salinas, RV. Gundur Financial risk management strategies of small to medium illicit drug enterprises: considering low-level money laundering. Trends in Organized Crime.
M. Salinas-Edwards (2013). "It's not like Sainsbury's! We don't keep stock of anything." How drug dealers mitigate risk. PC. van Duyne, J. Harvey, GA. Antonopoulos, K. von Lampe, A. Maljevic, J. Spencer. In: Human Dimensions in Organised Crime, Money Laundering and Corruption. Wolf Legal Publications, pp.149-175.
J. McVeigh, M. Salinas-Edwards, R. Ralphs A sentinel population: the public health benefits of monitoring enhanced body builders. Online, 18/11/2020.
'Best PhD' in Organized Crime (2015) awarded by the International Association for the Study of Organized Crime (Washington DC)
Shortlised, 'Best Postgraduate Teacher' in the 2013 teaching awards at the University of Manchester