Join the Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention in welcoming Andrew Papachristos, PhD to the University of Michigan on January 15, 2026. Dr. Papachristos present on his firearm violence prevention research from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. in Palmer Commons. Registration is required. Register today!
Andrew V. Papachristos is the John G. Searle Professor of Sociology, The Director at the Institute for Policy Research and the founder and Faculty Director of (CORNERS) The Center for Neighborhood Engaged Research & Science at Northwestern University. His research aims to understand how the connected nature of cities—how their citizens, neighborhoods, and institutions are tied to one another—affect what we feel, think, and do. His main area of research applies network science to the study of gun violence, policing and police misconduct, illegal gun markets, street gangs, and urban neighborhoods and has more than 15 years of experience working in the area of engaged research having partnered with community groups, state and local criminal justice agencies, schools, hospitals, and government agencies.
Read Dr. Papachristos’ full biography
Presentation information:
Community Violence Intervention at the Crossroads: Old Questions, New Evidence and the Future of Place-Based Safety
Community violence intervention efforts have been on the rise over the last several years but now stand 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.
