Dr. Annelise Mennicke, Associate Professor in the School of Social Work and Associate Director of Research at the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center, has been appointed to the Board of Scientific Counselors for the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. In this role, Dr. Mennicke will contribute to advancing research, programs, and strategic priorities aimed at preventing injury, overdose, and violence.

Read more about this exciting appointment here.

Dr. Alexander, Director of the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center, was featured in a WFAE article exploring the factors contributing to the increase in youth crime in Charlotte. In the interview, Dr. Alexander discusses how contextual elements such as social media, access to firearms, and a lack of positive mentorship opportunities are influencing this troubling trend. She also emphasizes the role of community-based solutions in addressing these issues and supporting at-risk youth.

Read the full article here.

Dr. Janne Gaub, a faculty member at the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center, was featured in a recent WSOC-TV article discussing the rigorous process of reviewing police body-worn camera footage. Drawing from her expertise in criminal justice, Dr. Gaub highlighted the extensive time and effort required to analyze footage, particularly in complex investigations such as the East Charlotte ambush case. Her insights underscore the importance of body-worn cameras as both an investigative tool and a mechanism for accountability.

Dr. Apryl Alexander, Director of the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center, shared evidence-based best practices for addressing youth crime and violence with the Housing, Safety, & Community Committee of the Charlotte City Council. Her recommendations focused on community-driven solutions and preventive strategies to reduce youth involvement in crime.

A recap of the meeting is available on WCNC Charlotte’s site here.

Ava Peters, a graduate research assistant at the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center, recently contributed an op-ed to The Charlotte Observer discussing the UNC System’s reconsideration of ACT and SAT requirements for admissions. In her thought-provoking piece, Ava explores the implications of standardized testing on equity and access to higher education, advocating for policies that promote inclusivity and opportunity for all students.

Read the full op-ed here.

Dr. Meagan Zarwell and PhD student Jesse Elkins from the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center co-authored a compelling op-ed in The Charlotte Observer emphasizing the urgent need for STI prevention through comprehensive sex education in North Carolina. Their piece highlights the importance of equipping young people with accurate information and resources to make informed decisions about their sexual health, advocating for policies that prioritize education as a tool for prevention.

Read the full op-ed here.

Ava Peters, a graduate research assistant at the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center, recently authored an op-ed in the Citizen Times advocating for the extension of voting rights to incarcerated individuals. In her article, Ava makes a compelling case for how including these populations in the democratic process can create a more equitable and representative democracy. Her work sheds light on an often-overlooked issue in voting rights advocacy.

Read the full op-ed here.

Dr. Apryl Alexander, Director of the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center, appeared on a recent episode of CrimeFeed with Nancy Grace to discuss the troubling trend of violence during Black Friday shopping events. Drawing from her expertise, Dr. Alexander provided insights into the underlying causes of these incidents and strategies to promote safer shopping experiences.

Watch the episode here.

The International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology (IACFP) recently featured Dr. Rob Cramer and colleagues’ 2022 article on self-directed violence (SDV) in correctional settings, published in Psychological Services. Their work introduces a public health solution to address SDV: the Core Competency Model for Corrections (CCM for Corrections), an educational program designed for correctional mental health providers. Read the IACFP feature article here.

Dr. Alexander was honored to speak at the 2023 National Sexual Assault Conference hosted by ValorUS. She delivered a session titled Culturally Responsive Care as Social Justice Practice and was also featured as one of the closing plenary speakers. For key takeaways from the conference, including insights from Dr. Alexander’s plenary, read the full article here. You can also watch her impactful plenary session here.