News and Events

Crime Lab leaders Katie Hill and Jens Ludwig penned an op-ed in the Chicago Tribune highlighting the root causes of gun violence and the growing body of research showing that increased neighborhood vibrancy generates surprisingly large changes in the prevalence of gun violence, by as much as 30%.

In The University of Chicago Magazine’s Fall ’25 issue, Susie Allen profiles Crime Lab Pritzker Director Jens Ludwig to discuss his book, “Unforgiving Places,” which challenges conventional wisdom on gun violence and suggests new approaches to solving the problem.

The Crime Lab’s Executive Director Katie Hill and Pritzker Director Jens Ludwig discuss evidence-based solutions to crime, including violence intervention and data-driven policing, in an op-ed for the Chicago Tribune.

Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy (CVILA) Program Managers Alesisia Cobb and Heather Bland sat down with alumni DeVita Briscoe from Seattle, WA and Nikesha Tilton from Selma, AL to discuss the progress of their capstone projects, their evolving leadership roles, and the systemic changes they’re pushing forward in their cities and states.

Policing Leadership Academy (PLA) Executive Director Meredith Stricker and Director of Outreach and Engagement Kenneth Corey join the Brooks Bawden Moore, LLC podcast to discuss the academy’s focus on commanders and helping departments across the country reduce violence and strengthen public safety.

The Policing Leadership Academy’s Meredith Stricker and Kenneth Corey penned an op-ed discussing the recent spotlight on crime in the U.S. and the academy’s focus on building the capacity of police commanders managing jurisdictions with the highest rates of violence.

The New York Times’ Shaila Dewan speaks with Crime Lab Pritzker Director Jens Ludwig about the politics of crime in the U.S.

Mariah Woelfel for NPR and WBEZ Chicago speaks to the Crime Lab’s Kim Smith about the notable drop in violent crime in Chicago so far in 2025 and the strategies in place to prevent violence in communities.

Youth Guidance’s Michelle Adler Morrison and A.J. Watson penned an op-ed in Crain’s Chicago Business highlighting Becoming a Man (BAM), a program that uses group counseling, mentorship, and cognitive behavioral therapy-informed strategies to help students respond in situations that could escalate and turn violent. Crime Lab Pritzker Director Jens Ludwig discussed the impact of BAM in his book, “Unforgiving Places.”

Tyler Dean Kempf, creative director of Second City Works, highlights a partnership between the Crime Lab’s Policing Leadership Academy and The Second City that uses improv to help law enforcement build trust, improve communication, and strengthen relationships.