Embodying Community Violence:  An Examination of Adolescents' Place-Embodied Experiences and Community Firearm Violence in Detroit, MI

Principal Investigator: Greer Hamilton, PhD, MSW

University of Michigan School of Social Work

The Embodying Community Violence Study is seeking 13 and 17-year-olds who live in Detroit, MI, to participate in a study. The study is interested in learning about the ways neighborhood conditions (vacant lots, types of stores, etc.) impact teens’ (13-17 years old) exposure to and experience with firearm violence. As well as their feelings (safety, etc.) about different locations in their neighborhood.

You May Qualify If You…

  • Are between 13 and 17 years old.

  • Have lived in Detroit, MI for at least 6 months.

  • Feel unsafe in some or all parts of their neighborhood/city and/or have been affected by firearm violence in Detroit, MI. This may include:

    • A personal experience with firearm violence;

    • Witnessing firearm violence;

    • Or you have a relationship with a family member or friend being injured or killed by firearm violence.

  • Access to a mobile device for study communication and/or willingness to use a study-issued Apple device.

  • Able to read and speak English.

  • Able to attend workshops in July 2025 (7/1/25, 7/8/25, 7/15/25, 7/22/25), from 3-5 pm at Racquet Up Detroit.

Potential Benefits

Participating in this study will help us understand teens’ experiences with firearm violence and their neighborhoods.

Participation Involves

  • Completing an interview

  • Participating in a Photovoice workshop (taking photos that connect to a social issue)

  • Participating in four in-person workshops held in July 2025 (7/1/25, 7/8/25, 7/15/25, 7/22/25), from 3-5pm at Racquet Up Detroit.

Teen participants will be $50 per activity for a total of $250. Food and transportation support will be provided during the workshops.


If you are a teen (13-17 years old) or a parent/guardian of a teen who may be eligible to participate in the study, please complete this screening survey. If you are eligible, then a member of our study team will follow up.