Safety, Justice, and Health Learning Community
What is the relationship between safety, justice, and health in the United States? How do the goals of public safety and social justice interact? How can our interdisciplinary research inform criminal justice policy and violence prevention and meaningfully contribute to social movements advocating for justice and community well-being?
In the academic year 2021-2022, the Initiative on Cities supported the establishment of a learning community at the intersection of public health, community safety, and justice — under the leadership of Assistant Professor of Sociology Jessica Simes (BU CAS) and Assistant Professor of Community Health Sciences Jonathan Jay (BU SPH). Boston University has a wealth of experts and scholars researching household and community violence, police violence, incarceration, prison conditions, and non-policing interventions to address violence, among other related topics. We hope this year-long series will build bridges across the campus and lead to a richer understanding of how we should approach community safety.
Fall 2021
In Fall 2021, the community hosted 5 discussion panels on 3 days, with panels consisting of 3-4 discussants, each on the topics of safety, justice, and health.
Spring 2022
In Spring 2022, the community hosted a discussion on Thursday, March 31, from 2–4 pm. The discussants included André de Quadros, Professor of Music/Music Education; Michael Poulson, Research Fellow and Resident at Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center; Laura Captari, Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Albert & Jessie Danielsen Institute; Kimberly Rhoten, Doctoral Candidate in Sociology; Heather Schoenfled, Professor of Sociology; and Spencer Piston, Associate Professor of Political Science.
Spring 2023
In Spring 2023, the community will host a discussion on Wednesday, March 15 from 4–6pm. The discussion will be led by Assistant Professor of Sociology Jessica Simes (BU CAS) and Assistant Professor of Community Health Sciences Jonathan Jay (BU SPH) on the safety, justice, and health in U.S. cities.