Dr. Leo J Genco is a green criminologist who is currently studying the economic correlates of wildlife crime and challenging the current academic perception of animal abuse. He is an assistant professor at the Tarleton State University in Texas with a goal to bring his academia skills and knowledge to the general public. Dr. Genco also hosts a podcast called The Green Conversation.
Research Philosophy
His research philosophy is about continual exploration. Much of green criminology is still in its infancy, and research should focus on pushing the limits of our understanding and perspectives. He also believes in quantitative assessment of green issues to show the extent of the criminal and harmful activities against the environment. His early publications focused on the enforcement of animal abuse on a local and federal level. Additionally, his publications are engaged in the discussion of hunting bans and the consequences of criminalizing hunting.
Research Focus
Dr. Genco is currently engaged in macro comparison of geo-political locations and illegal activities against the environment. He integrates interdisciplinary measures and perspectives from fields such as political science, environmental sociology, rural sociology, and economic decision-making to assess factors which influence rates of rural crime. His disseration focused on the geographical distribution of illegal hunting across Texas. The research is currently being translated into manuscripts for scholarly journals. He hopes these studies bring more environmental conflict to the forefront of society’s consciousness.
Teaching Philosophy
Dr. Genco proudly works at the Tarleton State University. He dedicates himself to teaching students the complexities of studying human behavior and the interwoven various dimensions of society. He focuses on active application with course materials through experiential learning. To establish a welcoming environment, Dr. Genco focuses on open communication with his students. He values criticism from students and colleagues in his teaching to improve his skills and delivery of topic assessment.
Dr. Genco is part of two major organizations within his field, the South Criminal Justice Association and the American Society of Criminology. He is also a member of the Division of Rural Criminology. Beyond his academic work, he also models for local photographers and workouts out. He believes in a sound body for a sound mind. In order to excel, a healthy body is needed, and this does not exclusively equate to physical health. Accepting yourself is the first step to improving myself.