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From Echo Chambers to Empowerment: Social Media Narratives & School Safety Realities (#3517)

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The increasing prevalence of school shootings in the United States has led to a growing reliance on safety technologies to prevent and mitigate these tragic events. However, the effectiveness of these technologies and their impact on school communities remains understudied, particularly in the context of social media discourse. This project aims to address this gap by employing a mixed-methods approach, combining thematic and computational text analysis of social media data with participatory action research in collaboration with Prince George’s County (PGC) District 2 public schools.

Through thematic analysis, natural language processing, and sentiment analysis of social media posts from 2010 to the present, we will examine the evolution of public narratives surrounding school safety technologies in the wake of school shootings. Simultaneously, our partnership with PGC District 2 public schools will provide valuable insights into the realities of community safety and the perceived effectiveness of existing measures.

Guided by the principles of design justice, our research centers the voices and experiences of those most affected by school shootings and safety technologies. We aim to contribute to evidence-based discussions and decision-making processes that prioritize the well-being and empowerment of these communities.

This project aligns closely with the goals of the PROGRESS initiative, addressing the role of media in reporting on gun violence, the use of advanced technologies to integrate gun violence data, and the exploration of developmentally appropriate and community-informed best practices for school safety. Our findings will inform future research, policy decisions, and community-based interventions aimed at preventing gun violence and promoting safe learning environments for all students.

Principal Investigator(s):

Additional UMD Investigator(s):
Lovely-Frances Domingo, Samuel Dibella

Additional Non-UMD Investigator(s):
Jonathan Briggs

Partnering Organization(s):
Prevent Gun Violence: Research, Empowerment, Strategies & Solutions (PROGRESS); Prince George's County (PGC) District 2 Public Schools

Research Funder:

Total Award Amount:
$29,385.40