Understanding the drivers and impacts of homicides in 4 major Latin American cities.

ended

This project will seek to better understand the drivers and effects of homicides in 4 major Latin American cities (Bogotá, Medellín, Cali and Mexico City) with of focus on the differential impacts on vulnerable groups especially women, while allowing an experienced French researcher—Emmanuel Letouzé—having acquired solid credentials in leading US universities and global forums to contribute to Europe’s standing in data-driven social science and policymaking. Building on the researcher’s rich interdisciplinary background, past and ongoing related work on conflict and crime, and deep international network and experience, the project will draw on the resources and expertise of UPF’s Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, Jorge Rodriquez, John Palmer, and Sebastian Sarasa, to yield 4 scientific papers and a synthesis monograph along with supporting tools and activities on homicide dynamics in these cities, with broader applicability to other regions. In particular, the researcher will leverage ‘Big Data’ sources such as cell-phone data from a major Spanish telecom operator—Telefónica— and Spanish Bank (BBBVA), in combination with official statistics on economic conditions and homicides and structural open urban data to shed light on 2 main research questions: (1) what are the key factors that seem to be driving homicides in these cities? (2) How do homicides affect the daily behaviors of affected communities and groups especially women? In the medium term, this project will seek to pave for the way for a network of European regional urban laboratories dedicated to making cities safer and fairer around the world.