Title: Community Violence Intervention at the Crossroads: Old Questions, New Evidence, and the Future of Public Safety
By Andrew Papachristos, John G. Searle Professor of Sociology and IPR Director
Abstract: Community violence intervention efforts have been on the rise over the last several years but now stands at a critical juncture. After unprecedented investment and expansion following the 2020 surge in gun violence, the field faces mounting pressure to demonstrate impact even as political headwinds threaten to dismantle progress. This talk draws on eight years of ongoing data collection on local and citywide efforts in Chicago, combining quasi-experimental analyses, participant surveys, systematic observation of outreach activities, and interviews with both workers and participants. The evidence reveals both promise and complexity. This talk will explore the critical lessons emerging from this work, how it informs both practice and science, and what it means for the future of place-based violence prevention efforts in America.
This event is part of the Fay Lomax Cook Winter 2026 Colloquium Series, where our researchers from around the University share their latest policy-relevant research.
Please note all colloquia this quarter will be held in-person only