Christopher Browning

Christopher R. Browning is the ASC Distinguished Professor of Sociology at The Ohio State University, specializing in community social organization, neighborhood context of crime, youth behavioral health, and multilevel statistical modeling. His work emphasizes the role of activity spaces and ecological networks in shaping developmental outcomes. He leads the Adolescent Health and Development in Context (AHDC) study, funded by NIDA, WT Grant Foundation, and NSF, which uses smartphone-based Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) and GPS tracking to study youth exposure to environments affecting risk behavior, mental health, and academic performance. His research integrates spatial analysis, biometric data (e.g., cortisol, immune markers), and social network theory to explore disparities in health and well-being.

• Education: Ph.D. in Sociology, University of Chicago (1997)

Research interests include:

• Neighborhood effects on youth development
• Child maltreatment and long-term health impacts
• Racial/ethnic segregation and health disparities
• Methodological innovations in spatial and temporal data collection

Key contributions include advancing the 'ecological network' framework linking routine activities to social cohesion and crime prevention. His AHDC study’s interdisciplinary approach combines sociology, geography, and public health to address pressing societal issues like adolescent substance use and mental health. Collaborations with statisticians, geographers, and medical researchers further highlight his commitment to transdisciplinary science.