FOCUS
Christopher’s work is inspired by the vision of a world free of police violence. Using mixed-method approaches, he aims to identify the hidden costs of police violence that are borne by individuals and communities of color. By examining mental health outcomes over the life course, Christopher seeks to understand how personal and vicarious experiences of police violence perpetuate adverse well-being intergenerationally. His work also explores how the criminalization of mental illness, and the expansion of law enforcement into health and social support functions, affect health service use by often-criminalized populations, such as communities of color, undocumented persons, and formerly incarcerated populations. Christopher aspires for his research to contribute to mental health and public safety policy efforts that center on anti-racism, health equity, and structural change.
MORE ABOUT CHRISTOPHER
A native of San Antonio, Texas, Christopher’s passion for racial justice and health equity is fueled by his life experience and roles as a son of cancer survivors, a brother, a father, and a husband. Drawing upon his past professional and community leadership experiences, Christopher seeks to foster deep cultural change and to collaborate with diverse groups toward achieving health equity in all outcomes. Using his criminological and sociological training, Christopher aims to produce research that leads to a society where everyone’s safety, health, and well-being are prioritized.
DISSERTATION GRANT AWARDEE — SPRING 2024
Covenanted-Policing: Policing, Spatial Racism, and Health (In)Equity in Minneapolis, MN
Using the case of restrictive covenants Using the case of Minneapolis, Minnesota, this study examines how early 20th-century restrictive racial housing covenants influence the present-day neighborhood distribution of police stops and diagnoses of stress-related conditions by racial and ethnic group. This project will enhance our knowledge of how local histories of racialized spatial exclusion influence the place-based practices of contemporary institutions and health equity.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HPRS DISSERTATION AWARDS, CLICK HERE.
