Daniel Lee, PhD

Dr. Daniel Lee is Research Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention and School of Social Work. Dr. Lee’s research focuses on socioecological factors that contribute to youth firearm violence, with particular attention to those living in communities facing concentrated disadvantage. Trained in clinical and quantitative psychology, as well as public health, he investigates how socioecological contexts influence psychological responses—such as retaliatory attitudes and hopelessness—that increase the risk of firearm carriage and aggression. His work also examines how the context and conditions in which youth reside contribute to downstream risk factors for violence. In parallel, he highlights protective factors, including organized activity participation, that buffer against these risks. Dr. Lee has evaluated violence prevention strategies such as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System, Youth Empowerment Solutions, and public art installations.