معرفی
Anthony A. Braga serves as the Jerry Lee Professor of Criminology and Director of the Crime and Justice Policy Lab within the Department of Criminology at the University of Pennsylvania's College of Liberal and Professional Studies. A leading scholar in evidence-based crime prevention, his work bridges academic research and practical policy implementation through collaborations with criminal justice agencies and community organizations.
His educational background includes:
- Master of Public Administration from Harvard University
- PhD in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University
Dr. Braga's research specializes in crime prevention at problem places, gang violence control, and reducing illegal firearm access. He pioneered randomized field experiments evaluating focused deterrence strategies and hot spots policing, establishing himself as a key figure in translating criminological theory into actionable interventions. His interdisciplinary approach integrates public health perspectives, particularly in firearm injury prevention, while maintaining rigorous methodological standards through experimental designs.
Recent publications demonstrate consistent focus on firearm violence surveillance systems, policing reform efficacy, and social determinants of crime. His 2024-2025 work shows increasing emphasis on population-level firearm recovery programs, procedural justice in traffic stops, and the criminology of place, reflecting both continuity in core research areas and expansion into emerging policy challenges through systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
His scientific recognition includes:
- Fellow of the American Society of Criminology
- August Vollmer Award (2021)
- Fellow of the Academy of Experimental Criminology
- Joan McCord Award (2014)
- Civic Leadership Award (2004)
- United States Attorney General’s Award (2009)
- US Department of Justice Project Safe Neighborhoods Award (2010)
Dr. Braga has secured over $22 million in research funding from federal agencies including the National Institute of Justice, National Institutes of Health, and National Science Foundation, plus private foundations like Arnold Ventures. His policy impact extends beyond academia through service as Chief Policy Advisor to the Boston Police Commissioner (2007-2013), where he co-developed community policing initiatives that received national awards. He has contributed to four National Research Council committees, most recently on Proactive Policing.
The Crime and Justice Policy Lab he directs serves as an operational hub for translating research into practice, partnering with law enforcement and community stakeholders to implement and evaluate violence reduction strategies in real-world settings.
