User:Skleiner4848/SAFElab

The SAFElab at the Columbia University School of Social Work (CSSW) is a research initiative focused on examining the ways in which youth of color navigate violence on and offline. Drawing on computational and social work approaches to research, we engage in qualitative and natural language processing methods to understand the mechanisms of violence and how to prevent and intervene in violence that occurs in neighborhoods and social media environments.

The SAFElab was founded by Dr. Desmond Upton Patton, and aims to conduct research that examines the phenomenon of violence in the lives of youth of color and are particularly interested in how experiences with neighborhood and gun violence influence social media behavioral choices, identity, future orientation, health and schooling. We also engage in research that seeks to strengthen community-based organizations that are engaged in violence prevention efforts. Currently, our projects are focused on youth of color’s exposure to social media, community violence, resiliency, decision-making and intervention research.

The SAFElab partners with the Center for Complicated Grief, Brownsville Community Justice Center, as well as the Harlem community surrounding Columbia University.

Goals

 * Improve well-being outcomes for youth of color
 * Be a resource for those working in violence prevention and intervention
 * Train future social work scholars interested in urban research
 * Contribute new knowledge regarding the phenomenon of community violence and social media behaviors
 * Identify best practices to improve community-level work