Unforgiving Places: The Behavioral Science of Ending Gun Violence
In this talk hosted by Chicago Booth’s Think Better Speaker Series, Jens Ludwig argued that the lack of progress in reducing gun violence ultimately stems from our having misunderstood the nature of the problem, and that behavioral science gives us a new way to understand – and solve – gun violence in America.
Gun violence is a public health crisis that is unique to America among the rich countries of the world, one that is regressive in its impacts – harming economically disadvantaged communities of color the most. It is also a problem that the US has made little long-term progress in solving; the murder rate per capita in the US today is almost exactly the same as it was in 1900.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, February 19
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm CST
Location: Gleacher Center – Room 621, 450 Cityfront Plaza Dr, Chicago, IL 60611
About Jens Ludwig
Jens Ludwig is the Edwin A. and Betty L. Bergman Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago and Pritzker Director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab. An economist by training, he helped start the Crime Lab in 2008 to carry out R&D in partnership with the public sector to solve society’s most challenging problems, to use the ideas of behavioral science and data science to reduce gun violence and advance justice. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and serves on the Committee on Law and Justice of the National Academy of Sciences.
Book release April 21, 2025 – Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence
Latest Updates
Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence
Crime Lab Pritzker Director Jens Ludwig authored a book that argues the lack of progress in reducing gun violence ultimately stems from our having misunderstood the nature of the problem, and that behavioral science gives us a new way to understand – and solve – gun violence in America.
Are We Thinking About Gun Violence All Wrong?
Crime Lab Pritzker Director Jens Ludwig sat down with Jerusalem Demsas for The Atlantic’s Good on Paper podcast to preview his upcoming book, “Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence,” and discuss the behavioral science-informed solutions that could reduce gun violence in American cities.
Jens Ludwig and Chief Bill Scott: The Unexpected Origins of Gun Violence
Join Crime Lab Pritzker Director Jens Ludwig for a book talk and signing at The Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, CA for his upcoming book, “Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence.”
