Our Mission and History
Mission Statement
The Institute for the Study and Prevention of Violence:
- promotes interdisciplinary research on the causes and prevention of violence
- engages in the design, implementation and evaluation of community-based programs for violence prevention
- trains teachers, law enforcement personnel and other professionals on principles and practices related to violence prevention
- helps bridge the gap between science and practice to effectively inform public policy related to violence prevention
History
The Institute for the Study and Prevention of Violence (ISPV) at Kent State University was founded in 1998 with a focus on police training, systematic evaluations of community and school-based violence prevention programs, and research on the impact of domestic violence on children and families. Kent State is uniquely qualified to take a national leadership role in violence prevention. The nation is more than three decades removed from the tragic events of May 4, 1970, when a confrontation between Ohio National Guard troops and demonstrators left four Kent State University students dead and nine wounded. But the underlying issues of democratic values and responsibilities remain current and vital to our society today. Consequently, the university has a long-term commitment to the understanding and prevention of violence.
In February 1998, KSU established the multi-disciplinary ISPV where faculty, staff, and students from across campus collaborate on research, training, and policy related to violence prevention. The ISPV brings together local and national expertise to develop multidisciplinary research strategies that inform the development and implementation of best practices and policy. Activities occur in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, schools, community-based organizations, social service providers, and government entities so that the long-term goal of a significant reduction in crime and violence will be achieved in a systematic, practicable The ISPV has a history of translating research into practice, or conducting applied evaluation studies of school and community programs, and of disseminating information to non-researchers about how to conduct their own evaluations of program effectiveness.
ISPV
230 Carol A. Cartwright Hall
Kent State University
Kent, OH 44242
Phone: 330-672-7917
Email: kretherf@kent.edu