Institute of Behavioral Science

12/03/2025

What happens when the places we rely on to connect in real life, like coffee shops and rec centers, quietly disappear?

New research led by Yue Sun at the Institute of Behavioral Science at the University of Colorado Boulder shows that “third places” have been closing at significant rates across the U.S., especially in vulnerable communities. These spaces are critical for mental health, social connection, and access to information. Yet, their decline often goes unnoticed.

Yue’s findings offer an important call to action: rebuilding and protecting gathering spaces is essential to supporting community health and reducing inequities.

https://ibs.colorado.edu/new-research-on-disappearing-third-places-warns-of-risks/

01/09/2025

With the devastating and taking place, its important to understand the long term impacts of on people's lives. Colleen Reid, associate professor of at University of Colorado Boulder College of Arts and Sciences, is co-author on a new study that sheds light on air pollution in homes left standing after the 2021 .

Over half of residents whose homes survived the Marshall Fire reported health symptoms like headaches, sore throats, and unusual tastes - symptoms related to poor air quality. More research must be done on the long term health effects of wildfires. In the meantime, the article highlights methods homeowners can use to improve air quality in their homes, and calls on policymakers and insurance companies to use this research to help better protect homeowners.

Six months after the Marshall Fire destroyed more than 1,000 houses in Boulder County, Colorado, more than half of residents of surviving homes in the area

12/18/2024

Interim Director of the Prevention Science Program and Professor of , David Pyrooz , was recently featured in Denver7 News. He shed light on the Colorado and debate that was a focus during the .

A national spotlight on Colorado’s gang activity is raising concerns that newcomers are bringing new violence. But experts say the Denver metro's gang history is mostly homegrown.

12/18/2024

Today was the last day of our phenomenal of three years - Lucas Gauthier.

We celebrated his incredible work ethic, dedication and passion at our holiday party last week. Innosphere Ventures, you are so lucky to have scored this incredible Buff! He defines what it means to .

Read more about Lucas here: https://lnkd.in/dXz7nEjK

12/16/2024

IBS Fellow and Global Real Estate Markets Chair, Stephen Billings has received the Greenwald Family Foundation, The Award for Excellence in Research on Firearm Violence Prevention. Presented by the Research Society for the Prevention of Firearm-Related Harms, this prestigious award recognizes Billings' pioneering research on the correlation between increased legal of fi****ms and increases in .

Read more here:
https://lnkd.in/guMwPy2C

11/22/2024

The Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the Institute of Behavioral Science collaborated with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival (CSF) to participate in the . Organized by the Parent Engagement Network on November 12, this event combined the power of and to encourage safer, healthier communities.

The Colorado Shakespeare Festival joined forces with the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence to participate in the Human Kindness Initiative, a series organized by the Parent Engagement Network.

11/18/2024

Today! Our will feature a discussion on the process. Zoom and in person options!

Our speaker, Michelangelo Landgrave (he/him/él), is an Assistant Professor of at the University of Colorado Boulder Arts and Sciences. He serves as the lab director for the Research on Accountability, Civics, and Equity Lab . Landgrave specializes in state and , , and .

More details: https://lnkd.in/gidi3J2i

11/14/2024

Abortion restrictions alone don’t increase child mistreatment or foster care entry. Katie Massey Combs, a research associate at the Institute of Behavioral Science, and team recently published an op-ed on this oversimplification. While there is no direct increase in foster care entry or child maltreatment from parents who were denied an abortion, there is potential for those parents to face mental health and poverty stress, which can potentially lead to child maltreatment. Massey and team advise we must look at this complex issue from a wider angle, or else risk stigmatizing parents and children further.

Reports linking abortion restrictions with child maltreatment are well-intentioned but oversimplify a complex issue.

11/12/2024

IBS Co-Founder and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of , Richard Jessor, was recently featured in a event commemorating the end of and the .

For , we honor the amazing story of Jessor as a back in 1945.

Read more about his story through the New World Symphony:

https://www.nws.edu/news/2024-25/wwii-veteran-at-iwo-jima-joins-veterans-day-concert/