Kim Smith
Director of Programs
Connect
Expertise
Kim Smith is the Director of Programs for the University of Chicago Crime Lab and Education Lab, where she works across a portfolio of research projects in close partnership with government agencies and local nonprofits. She works extensively on the Crime Lab’s efforts to make data more accessible to the public, most recently by supporting the development and release of the City of Chicago’s Violence Reduction Dashboard, a tool for non-profit organizations, the media, and the general public, which provides near-real-time data and visualizations of violence trends.
Prior to joining the Crime Lab, she worked at Innovations for Poverty Action, a research organization dedicated to discovering and advancing what works to improve the lives of people living in poverty. Kim was one of Crain’s Chicago Business’ 40 Under 40 in 2022 and a fellow in the 2023 class of Leadership Greater Chicago. Kim holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from McGill University.
Summer Safety Analysis: Chicago Crime Trends
These data visualizations present our summer safety analysis on Chicago crime trends.
Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy Week in Washington, D.C.
View highlights from the Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy’s week in Washington, D.C. in February 2024 including capstone presentations, meeting with policymakers, and the graduation event at the White House with Vice President Kamala Harris.
2024 Video: Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy (CVILA) Inaugural Cohort
Watch our latest video about the inaugural cohort of the CVILA.
Webinar: Overview of the City of Chicago’s Violence Reduction Dashboard
Launched in May 2021 by the City of Chicago, with design and technical support from the Crime Lab, the Dashboard is a first-of-its-kind comprehensive tool that allows unfettered public access to city violence trends categorizable by victim type, date, and geographic area.
CVI Leadership Academy
The Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy (CVILA) was established to develop the CVI sector by providing aspiring CVI leaders with the skills necessary to tackle leadership obstacles throughout their careers.
Back to Our Future (B2OF)
Back to Our Future (B2OF) is a state-funded, district-led, evidence-informed effort to re-engage disconnected students at an elevated risk for gun violence involvement.
Read the new policy brief.
City of Chicago Mayor’s Office Technical Assistance
The Crime Lab supports the City of Chicago’s Mayor’s Office on several crime reduction projects and initiatives that aim to improve public safety outcomes for Chicago residents.
Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) Technical Assistance
The Crime Lab has provided technical assistance to Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services and its service providers to aid in their efforts to more strategically direct their prevention and intervention services to those individuals most in need.
Latest Updates
Chicago Newsroom 2.0 – Ongoing Migrant Crisis, CTA Turmoil, & The City’s Summer Safety Plan
Watch Crime Lab Director of Programs Kim Smith speak with CAN TV about our Chicago Summer Safety Analysis.
Shootings in Chicago are concentrated in the summer, yes. That’s only part of the story.
Crain’s Chicago Business covers the Crime Lab’s new analysis of summer crime trends in the City.
Second Chance Month: Centering Lived Experience in Violence Intervention
In recognition of Second Chance Month, the National League of Cities’ Maryam Ahmed and Kirby Gaherty write about the importance of centering “credible messengers”—people with lived experience in the justice system—to advance community safety and highlight the Crime Lab’s Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy.
