Dr. Jillian Peterson is a forensic psychologist specializing in violence prevention research, policy and practice
Dr. Jillian Peterson is a Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Executive Director of The Violence Prevention Project, a nonpartisan research center committed to using data-driven solutions to reduce violence in our communities.
With a PhD in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine, Dr. Peterson brings a unique, interdisciplinary lens to some of society’s most urgent issues—from mass shootings to political violence. She was the principal investigator, alongside Dr. James Densley, on a landmark National Institute of Justice study examining the life histories of public mass shooters. Their research culminated in the acclaimed book, The Violence Project: How to Stop a Mass Shooting Epidemic, which won the 2022 Minnesota Book Award for Nonfiction.
A sought-after national speaker, trainer, and media commentator, Dr. Peterson translates complex research into accessible tools for schools, communities, and policymakers. Her expertise spans violence prevention, school and mass shootings, mental illness, the impact of social media, and the psychology of radicalization.
Earlier in her career, she worked as a special investigator for the New York Capital Defenders Office, where she built life histories of individuals facing the death penalty—work that continues to inform her deep commitment to prevention, compassion, and systemic change.
