About VPI
While housed in the Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, the Violence Prevention Institute is an interdisciplinary endeavor bringing together other public health and social scientists, physicians, nurses, health care workers, mental health professionals, educators, and any community member interested in violence prevention.
Mission & Vision
The Violence Prevention Institute seeks to understand and address the root causes and consequences of violence through community-centered research and collaboration to improve the health, well-being, and safety for everyone.
We hope to foster an equitable world where everyone has what they need to thrive.
Goals
Heighten local, national, and global visibility of Tulane’s existing research expertise, educational outputs, and active violence prevention efforts in communities worldwide
Grow violence prevention-related research and community-based implementation and dissemination efforts to translate research into practice
Strengthen interdisciplinary connections and collaborations among Tulane faculty, staff, current and prospective students, alums, and community partners engaged in violence prevention
Our Activities
At the Violence Prevention Institute, our work bridges research, education, and community engagement to address the complex causes of violence and promote safe, thriving communities. Through collaborative partnerships, innovative programming, and the translation of science into practice, we create opportunities for learning, connection, and action—locally, nationally, and beyond.
Research & Evaluation
innovative research and expertise shared through community and academic partnerships and academic and non-academic translation
Training
training programs for undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate scholars, student courses, and public events and training on violence and violence prevention approaches
Programming
events that promote social cohesion, community building, and information sharing
Translation of Science to Practice
conversations with community and media, and a digital presence to move science to action
Outreach
local, state, and national partnerships to cultivate a network beyond academia
Approaches
Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive Research and Practice
Arts-Based
Community and Youth Participatory Action Research
Multi-Level
Systems and Policy-level Change
Trauma-Centered
Areas of Focus
Adverse Childhood Experiences
Community and Neighborhood Violence
Firearm Violence
Gender-based and Domestic Violence
HIV and Violence
Police Violence
Queer and Trans Violence
Reproductive Justice
Structural, Systemic, and Institutional Violence
Youth Violence
Our Values
At the Violence Prevention Institute, our values shape how we work and why we work—guiding us to center equity, build strong community partnerships, and turn research into action that fosters healing, prevents harm, and creates lasting change.
Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
centering fairness, equity, representation, and belonging in policy, practice, and personal interactions
Community Rooted
appreciating the broader community and our responsibility to engage and share knowledge with it
Intersectional
acknowledging the complex and interconnected nature of social identity and experience
Anti-Oppressive
taking a proactive stance against all forms of oppression, discrimination, and marginalization
Mutual Accountability
upholding shared commitments, values, and goals among the institute, its staff, and partners
Research for Action
putting theory into practice, inspiring change, and valuing community-centered research dissemination
Person and Population
recognizing the importance of individual-level actions and broader systemic considerations
Root Causes
addressing the underlying inequities that perpetuate environments where harm happens
Prevention Focused
prioritizing proactive approaches, including targeting primary risk factors as well as mitigating effects
Evidence-Based
leveraging approaches and practices informed by all ways of knowing
Interdisciplinary
harnessing collective expertise and creativity of diverse teams to address complex problems
Healing Centered
fostering a culture of empathy and understanding while promoting holistic well-being
Address
1440 Canal Street, Suite 1510, New Orleans, LA 70112
social media
@tulanevpi