Joseph Richardson

Joseph Richardson, Ph.D., is a Professor of African American and Africana Studies at the University of Maryland, with joint appointments in Anthropology (Medical) and Epidemiology and Public Health at the School of Medicine. He holds the MPower Professorship (2023) and the Joel and Kim Feller Endowed Professorship (2019), and was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2023. His research focuses on gun violence prevention, trauma among Black men, healthcare and criminal justice system intersections, and digital storytelling for narrative change. He leads the Translational Research and Applied Violence Intervention Lab (TRAVAIL) and directs programs like the Capital Region Violence Intervention Program (CAP-VIP). Dr. Richardson’s work integrates criminology, medical anthropology, and public health to address systemic inequities and violence reduction in marginalized communities.

Education: Ph.D. in Criminology from Rutgers University (2003), M.A. in Criminology (Rutgers, 1992), B.A. in African-American Studies from University of Virginia (1990). Post-doctoral fellowships include the Spencer Foundation and NIMH clinical training at Morehouse School of Medicine and UNC.

Research Interests:

• Gun violence intervention programs
• Structural violence and trauma among Black youth
• Incarceration as a health determinant
• Digital storytelling for health communication
• Parenting strategies for low-income Black males

Key Contributions: Launched PROGRESS initiative to combat gun violence in the National Capital Region, produced award-winning documentaries like 'Life After the Gunshot,' and advises state-level violence prevention councils. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and community-driven solutions.

Awards: MPower Professorship (2023), National Academy of Medicine Membership (2023), Joel and Kim Feller Professorship (2019).

Labs/Teams: TRAVAIL Lab (multi-disciplinary violence research incubator), CAP-VIP (hospital-based violence intervention program), and collaborations with ROAR (Social Work trauma therapy).