Richardson co-leads UMD initiative on gun violence

The Prevent Gun Violence: Research, Empowerment, Strategies and Solutions (PROGRESS) initiative, led by Faculty Associate Joseph Richardson and Family Science Professor Woodie Kessel, will study gun violence, offer educational programming across Maryland on gun safety, and issue policy recommendations on reducing shootings, according to an announcement from the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.

Engaging with a variety of topics, the initiative will conduct research and analyze data, offer a speaker series featuring scholars and legislators, and engage community members to create actionable solutions for gun violence.

The initiative will also delve into the root causes for gun violence, including structural racism, poverty, poor housing and educational inequities. It will also work with partners across campus to take a multi-disciplinary approach to the issue, as well as with doctors and faculty members at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

“Gun violence is a disease for which we know, ultimately, we will have a cure,” said Richardson.