Above: Dr. Beard was featured among 6 Philadelphians With Promising Approaches to Gun Violence Prevention by Philadelphia Magazine in an article titled: Why a Temple Trauma Surgeon Is Pushing Journalists to Change How They Cover Gun Violence.
Dr. Jessica H. Beard is the director of research at The Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting thanks to support from a Stoneleigh Foundation Fellowship. She is also a trauma surgeon at Temple University Hospital and associate professor at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.
Throughout fellowship, Jessica has been working at the Center to deepen the media narrative around gun violence, with the goal of increasing support for policies and programs to curb the epidemic and save lives. Her fellowship focuses on widening the lens of media reporting on gun violence in Philadelphia to provide context, solutions, and varying perspectives.
Dr. Beard holds a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University, an MD from Yale University, and an MPH from UC-Berkeley. She completed her general surgery residency at UC-San Francisco and surgical critical care fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. As a trauma surgeon, Jessica cares for people injured by firearms every day in Philadelphia. She is passionate about firearm injury prevention and is the author of numerous publications examining firearm injury in Philadelphia.
Studies led by Dr. Beard
- Public health framing of firearm violenceon local television news in Philadelphia, PA,USA: a quantitative content analysis
- Systematic disparities in reporting on community firearm violence on local television news in Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Assessing the Gun Violence Archive as an Epidemiologic Data Source for Community Firearm Violence in 4 US Cities – PubMed (nih.gov)
- Rethinking “recidivism” in firearm injury research and prevention – PubMed (nih.gov)
- “Like I’m a nobody:” firearm-injured peoples’ perspectives on news media reporting about firearm violence
- The changing epidemiology of interpersonal firearm violence during the COVID-19 pandemic in Philadelphia, PA
- Changes in Shooting Incidence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Between March and November 2020
- Making the news: Victim characteristics associated with media reporting on firearm injury
- Examining mass shootings from a neighborhood perspective: An analysis of multiple-casualty events and media reporting in Philadelphia, United States
- Clustered Arrivals of Firearm-Injured Patients in an Urban Trauma System: A Silent Epidemic
- Firearm assault in Philadelphia, 2005-2014: a comparison of police and trauma registry data
- The enduring impact of historical and structural racism on urban violence in Philadelphia
- Firearm Deaths in America: Can We Learn From 462,000 Lives Lost?
- Structural Causes of Urban Firearm Violence: A Trauma Surgeon’s View From Philadelphia
- Quantifying Disparities in Urban Firearm Violence by Race and Place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: A Cartographic Study
- Jessica Beard’s Bibliography at the National Library of Medicine
PCGVR in the news
- Survivor Connection links reporters with gun violence survivor community | Reynolds Journalism Institute, November 20, 2024
- WATCH ‘Run, Hide, Fight: Growing Up Under the Gun,’ a documentary about how gun violence changed a generation | PBS NewsHour, October 10, 2024.
- Documentary seeks to heal rift between public and news industry with trauma-informed approach to gun violence | Missouri School of Journalism, September 20, 2024.
- Philadelphia center gives reporters, editors new tools for deeper, more trauma-sensitive coverage of gun violence | Reynolds Journalism Institute, September 9, 2024.
- Framing Gun Violence w/ Jim MacMillan & Dr. Jessica Beard | The Trauma Beat, August 5, 2024.
- Research Highlights Need for Public Health Approach in News Reporting of Gun Violence | The Good Men Project, August 3, 2024
- Philly news stations use harmful tactics to report on firearm violence, studies say | Association of Health Care Journalists, July 12, 2024.
- Getting started with a gun violence prevention beat | Reynolds Journalism Institute, July 11, 2024.
- Research highlights need for public health approach in news reporting of gun violence | Editor & Publisher Magazine, June 24, 2024.
- Research highlights need for public health approach in news reporting of gun violence The Journalist’s Resource, June 25, 2024.
- Why gun violence is a public health emergency | Association of Health Care Journalists, June 12, 2024.
- What’s Going On: Better Gun Violence Reporting | iHeart Media, June 7, 2024.
- ‘Minimizing harm:’ New toolkit provides best practices for reporting on gun violence | Association of Health Care Journalists, June 3, 2024.
- Insight Spotlight: Remembering Joseph Emanuel Daniels III | iHeart Media, June 3, 2024.
- Love & Life: Dr. Jessica Beard | WURD Radio via Facebook, May 28, 2024.
- Could a Holistic Approach to Gun Violence Reporting Help Victims? | The Trace, May 14, 2024.
- Two New Studies More Closely Examine How Reports of Community Firearm Violence Are Framed on Local Television News in Philadelphia | Lewis Katz School of Medicine, May 7, 2024.
- Changing the Narrative of Gun Violence | Columbia College Today, Winter/Spring 2024
- Insight Spotlight: Center for Gun Violence Reporting | iHeart Media, April 4, 2024.
- Gun violence reporting certification: What it is and why journalists should get it | Association of Health Care Journalists, February 16, 2024.
- Video & highlights: Covering Firearm Violence — How journalists can reframe their reporting National Press Club Journalism Institute, February 12, 2024.
- Lehigh Professor to Study the Harms of Gun Violence Reporting | Lehigh University, February 12, 2024.
- ‘Gun Violence Is A Human Story’: Advocates Appeal For Empathetic Reporting | National Press Foundation, January 18, 2024.
- The Public Health Crisis of Gun Violence | CeaseFirePA, February 17, 2024.
- Temple Health trauma surgeon receives federal grant to study media coverage of gun violence | WHYY, December 6, 2023.
- NIH Grant Led by Lewis Katz School of Medicine’s Dr. Jessica Beard Will Examine Racial and Spatial Disparities in Harmful News Media Reporting on Community Firearm Violence | Temple Health, November 28, 2023.
- Children who survive shootings endure huge health obstacles and costs | CNN, November 7, 2023.
- The 150 Most Influential Philadelphians | Philadelphia Magazine via @PCGVR, October 29, 2023.
- TNGV convenes accelerator workshop at Harvard Radcliffe Institute | Engagement Lab at Emerson College, October 26, 2023.
- When Gun Violence Is in the News: Reporting on Tragedy, Mass Violence, and Police Shootings (segment begins at 10:00)| John Jay College via YouTube, October 23, 2023.
- Announcing Our 2023-2025 Stoneleigh Emerging Leader Fellows | Stoneleigh Foundation, October 4, 2023.
- Save Our Streets: The Survivors | FOX 29, September 24, 2024.
- Amid gun violence crisis, Philadelphia may be safer than people think | Billy Penn, September 10, 2023.
- Philly gun violence survivor overcomes his trauma, uplifts other victims | NBC Philadelphia, September 6, 2023.
- Meet the new winners of the Lenfest Next Generation Award | The Lenfest Institute, August 25, 2023.
- How media reporting on firearm violence does more harm than good |It’s All Journalism, August 3, 2023.
- Why Some Mass Shootings — And Their Victims — Go Uncounted | The Good Men Project, June 19, 2023.
- Understanding the ‘public health’ approach is first step in effective reporting on firearm violence | Association of Health Care Journalists, June 16, 2023.
- Curbing Gun Violence With a Public Health Approach | PBS VItals, May 25, 2023.
- Why Some Mass Shootings — And Their Victims — Go Uncounted | Undark, May 17, 2023.
- Evening WURDS: interview with PCGVR Director of Research Dr. Jessica Beard (Segment begins at 30:00) | WURD Radio via Facebook, April 12, 2023.
- Reframing Gun Violence: Wellbeing & Narrative Shift | Full Frame Initiative, April 3, 2023.
- Changing the Narrative on Gun Violence Reporting in Philadelphia | CU Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative via YouTube, March 15, 2023.
- True Believers | Philadelphia Magazine, March 1, 2023.
- From Sorrow to Solutions – Virtual Convening | New York Amsterdam News, February 28, 2023.
- These Philadelphia Researchers Want Journalists to Tell Better Stories About Gun Violence | The Trace, February 23, 2023.
- Changing the Way Media Reports on Gun Violence (Segment begins at 4:05) |Consider This on NPR, January 29, 2024.
- A new gun violence narrative | The Philadelphia Citizen, January 17, 2023.
- ‘Like I’m a nobody’: Breaking news coverage of shootings is dehumanizing and delays progress, per new Temple study | Billy Penn, January 10, 2023.
- Evening WURDS: interview with PCGVR Director of Research Dr. Jessica Beard (Segment begins at 27:45) | WURD Radio via Facebook, January 9, 2023.
- Save Our Streets: A Year of Hope (Segment begins at 16:14) | FOX 29, January 5, 2023.
- Credible Messenger Reporting Project uses art to shed light on gun violence in Philadelphia | FOX 29, December 15, 2022.
- Addressing Philadelphia’s Gun Violence Epidemic | The Stoneleigh Foundation via YouTube, December 11, 2022.
- Understanding American Gun Violence Part 2: How to solve the American gun epidemic |Temple Now, December 7, 2022.
- Understanding American Gun Violence Part 1: The evolution of America’s relationship with firearms | Temple Now, December 7, 2022.
- Gun Violence Reporting with Dr. Jessica Beard| Trauma Code, November 30, 2022.
- Can journalism that centers community help stop shootings? PCGVR is betting on it | Billy Penn, November 28, 2022.
- More meaningful coverage of firearm violence requires ‘radical empathy | Association of Health Care Journalists, November 9, 2022.
- Orodne McClain interviewed on ‘BAND-AID on a Bullet Wound’ podcast | via SoundCloud, November 9, 2022.
- Fall summit speaker Jessica Beard targets more empathetic, ethical coverage of gun violence | Association of Health Care Journalists, October 31, 2022.
- Changing the Way We Talk About Gun Violence | Temple University Faculty Herald, October 17, 2022.
- How local news can help heal Philly’s gun violence crisis without harming communities | Billy Penn, October 5, 2022.
- I was shot in the head as a child. It took 20 years, and other survivors, to heal | The Philadelphia Inquirer, August 17, 2022.
- Why it’s time to rethink the ‘last place you’d expect a shooting’ narrative | All Things Considered, August 2, 2022.
- STRONGER EVERY DAY | The Philadelphia Citizen, June 15, 2022.
- At least 13 killed, dozens wounded in weekend mass shootings across U.S.: “Horrendous and unthinkable” | CBS Evening News, June 6, 2022.
- Jim MacMillan Discusses Gun Violence Reporting | The Healthcare Policy Podcast, June 4, 2022.
- ‘Love them, lead them’: Advocates say parents play a major role in stopping youth gun violence | WHYY, May 26, 2022.
- Philadelphia’s ‘Devastating’ Surge in Gun Violence | The Trace, April 18, 2022.
- Frequency of mass shootings in Philadelphia increased after start of COVID-19 pandemic | Philly Voice, April 19, 2022.
- Humanity behind the headlines: Black men on surviving in Philly | WHYY, February 24, 2022.
- Preventing Gun Violence Through Better Reporting | Philadelphia Ethical Society, January 19, 2022.
- How The Trace Changed Reporting on Guns in America | Arnold Ventures, April 14, 2022.
- Fewer police stats, more community engagement sought at Philly gun violence briefings | WHYY, April 13, 2022.
- Stop doing ‘breaking news’ for more accurate gun violence coverage, panel says | Billy Penn, April 4, 2022.
- Inquirer LIVE Health Report: Gun violence is soaring in Philadelphia | The Philadelphia Inquirer, December 8, 2021.
- Flashpoint: Community relations and trust in media | KYW Newsradio, September 21, 2021.
- Temple trauma surgeon earns fellowship aimed at curbing gun violence | Temple Now, September 8, 2021.
- New Media Partnership | The Student Vanguard, August 26, 2021.
- ‘Some of these killings are for the dumbest reasons’: What’s driving Philly’s bloody summer? | Pennsylvania Capital-Star, August 17, 2021.
- Gun violence and community trauma in the Covid-19 pandemic | WHYY, July 29, 2021.
- Dr. Jessica H. Beard – Trauma Surgeon, Changing the Narrative on Gun Violence | Narratives of North Broad Podcast, July 28, 2021.
- Addressing Philadelphia’s gun violence crisis | Al Día News, July 26, 2021.
- ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, GUN VIOLENCE: A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS IN PHILADELPHIA | Community College of Philadelphia, July 15, 2021.
- Gun Violence: A Public Health Crisis in Phila. – Jul 15 | PHENND, July 13, 2021.
- Power moves: New appointments at Equal Measure, PCGVR, Reinvestment Fund, Inspira Health and Bestwork | Generocity, June 3, 2021.
- Dr. Jessica H. Beard Named Stoneleigh Fellow and Philadelphia Center For Gun Violence Reporting‘s Director Of Research | The Stoneleigh Foundation, June 2, 2021.
- Hidden Costs: Gun Violence, The Healthcare Aftermath, and Who Pays? | Love Now Media, June 2, 2021.
- A Mass Shooting? Depends on the Source | Inside Sources, April 15, 2021.
- Gun Violence News Summit | Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, April 6, 2021.
- 17 shot during weekend violence in Philadelphia; gun violence prevention organization works for change | 6ABC, March 30, 2021. Dr. Jessica Beard to City Council: “Help Philadelphians understand the public health context, root causes, and solutions for gun violence.” | Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting, March 30, 2021
- Flashpoint: Responding to gun violence – more police and transparency | KYW Newsradio, March 28, 2021.
- US saw estimated 4,000 extra murders in 2020 amid surge in daily gun violence | The Guardian, March 24, 2021.
- Mayor Kenney’s new gun briefings must be more than police press conferences | Opinion | The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 18, 2021.
- New Study Suggests Connection Between COVID-19 Shutdowns and Gun Violence in Philadelphia | Temple Update, February 12, 2021.
- COVID-19 Containment Measures Linked to Increase in Firearm Violence | Columbia Public Health, February 12, 2021.
- Temple study finds link between Philadelphia’s COVID lockdowns, rising gun violence | 6ABC, February 11, 2021.
- Where Shootings Doubled Post-Lockdown | The Trace, February 11, 2021.
- ‘This is unprecedented’: Study finds link between COVID lockdowns and shootings in Philly | WHYY, February 11, 2021.
- ‘Living in a warzone’: Philadelphians petition mayor to address resolution on gun violence | The Daily Pennsylvanian, February 8, 2021.
- Reporting on gun violence needs the help of credible messengers, says PCGVR’s Jim MacMillan | Generocity, December 7, 2020.
- When Does Murder Make The News? It Depends On The Victim’s Race | The Marshall Project, October 28, 2020.
- What data can and can’t tell us about shooting deaths in Philadelphia | Technically Philly, October 28, 2020.
- Can Community Journalists Disrupt Gun Violence in Philadelphia? | Nonprofit Quarterly, September 1, 2020.
- Member Spotlight: Initiative for Better Gun Violence Reporting | CultureWorks, August 24, 2020.
- RJI Fellow’s Center for Gun Violence Reporting project receives $50K grant |Reynolds Journalism Institute, June 24, 2020.
- Creating a new Center for Gun Violence Reporting in Philadelphia | PCGVR, August 4, 2020.
- Leadership Profile of Jim MacMillan | Social Innovations Journal, January 20, 2020.
- Former Temple administrator creates tool to track gun violence | The Temple News, December 3, 2019.
- What Journalists Can Do To Report More Effectively — and Compassionately — on Gun Violence | Nieman Reports, November 22, 2019.
- A mom complains about gun violence stories. Philly journalists respond with resources | Reynolds Journalism Institute, November 20, 2019.
- Temple doctor working to change how mass shootings are perceived in urban areas | KYW Newsradio, November 20, 2019.
- Here’s a list of resources to include when reporting on gun violence in Philly | Billy Penn, November 13, 2019.
- Bias, Sensationalism Distort Media Coverage of Gun Violence, Conference Told | The Crime Report, November 12, 2019.
- This new tool can help you understand Philly’s gun violence crisis | Billy Penn, November 9, 2019.
- This tool uses open data to create a comprehensive look at gun violence in Philadelphia | Technically Philly, November 8, 2019.
- Opinion: Media outlets could do a lot better job of covering gun violence, The Inquirer included | The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 8, 2019.
- What data can and can’t tell us about shooting deaths in Philadelphia | Technically Philly, October 28, 2020.
- Study: Media’s Reporting on Gun Violence Does Not Reflect Reality | Penn Medicine News, October 20, 2020.
- Making the news: Victim characteristics associated with media reporting on firearm injury | National Library of Medicine, October 4, 2020.
- Can reporters prevent gun violence? This Philadelphia journalist wants to find out | Pennsylvania Capital-Star, October 20, 2019.
- Why is gun violence in Philly ‘exploding’ when solutions exist? | The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 7, 2019.
- RJI Fellow says better reporting can help fight against gun violence | Reynolds Journalism Institute, August 26, 2019.
- Recap: Community Discussion on Media Coverage of Gun Violence in Germantown | Medium, July 22, 2019.
- Germantown Solutions: Jim MacMillan on Gun Violence Coverage | Germantown Info Hub, July 15, 2019.
- Generocity asks: How does media literacy impact your work? | Generosity, April 26, 2019.
- Trauma doctors treat mass gun violence in Philly | The Temple News, April 23, 2019.
- Hospitals see Phila. version of violence | The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 15, 2019.
- Gun violence in Philly: ‘An everyday mass shooting,’ Temple study finds | The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 15, 2019.
- Philly sees the equivalent of a mass shooting every 3 months | Billy Penn, April 10, 2019.
- This journalist will spend a year creating guidelines for America’s gun violence reporting | Billy Penn, April 2, 2019.
- Backing local news, building trust, innovating solutions | Reynolds Journalism Institute, April 2, 2019.
- To understand Philly’s gun violence crisis, in-depth reporting is needed | Opinion | The Philadelphia Inquirer, August 3, 2018.
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