Center for Neighborhood Engaged Research & Science (CORNERS) Headlines Northwestern Magazine with Data-Informed Solutions to Community Violence

Northwestern Magazine recently shared in-depth coverage of the impact of the Center for Neighborhood Engaged Research & Science (CORNERS) in addressing gun violence in the city of Chicago. The piece highlighted Research Project Coordinator Alantha Miles, Faculty Director and Sociology Professor Andrew Papachristos, and Executive Director Soledad McGrath, who emphasized the power of data collection and network science in the reduction of community violence.

Network science – the study of connections among people, institutions, and entities across a place – is utilized to develop intricate city-and-neighborhood maps that track patterns of violence, enabling community organizations to address the issue at the source.

“The most common misconception about community gun violence is that it’s random,” shared Papachristos. “But we know that gun violence is linked to ongoing neighborhood disputes. And we actually know, with some of our science, where and when it’s going to happen.”

The research conducted by CORNERS reveals that intervention programs like Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) play a part in reducing violence, with studies showing declines in gunshot victimization and violence-related arrests. “CP4P is trying to reach those at highest risk of gun violence and get people to go in a different direction,” shared Executive Director of Metropolitan Peace Initiatives and Northwestern alum Vaughn Bryant.

Data from 2018-2023 showed participants in CP4P programs experienced a 44% decrease in gunshot victimization after 12 months of accessing services. That CORNERS review also found at least 383 shootings and homicides were potentially prevented from July 2017 through December 2021, thanks to CP4P’s initiatives.