Why have mass public shootings in the United States become more frequent and lethal over the past two decades? Two Barry University professors are taking a closer look at this complex question.

Dr. Luigi Esposito and Dr. Fernando M. Perez, professors and co-chairs of the Department of Sociology and Criminology, recently published Mass Public Shootings in Neoliberal America: Killing for Recognition with Routledge in June 2026.

The book examines mass public shootings through a sociological lens, looking beyond individual biographies, personalities and mental health to explore the broader social forces connected to these incidents. Drawing on data, case studies and sociological theory, Esposito and Perez examine how various structural factors that drive these incidents.

The authors also explore the influence of neoliberalism as an ideology and governing framework, arguing that its effects on society may help explain the conditions in which some individuals seek recognition through violence.

By examining mass shootings within their broader social context, the book offers a deeper perspective on one of the most pressing and difficult issues facing American society today.

To learn more about the book and how you can purchase a copy, please visit here.