James Densley
Professor, Author, Founder, Keynote Speaker, Coach
Professor, Author, Founder, Keynote Speaker, Coach
Dr. James Densley is an internationally recognized criminologist, bestselling author, and thought leader on violence prevention. He is Professor and Department Chair of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Metro State University and Co-Founder of The Violence Prevention Project Research Center ("The Violence Project") at Hamline University.
A former New York City special education teacher, Densley has authored nine books and edited two more, including The Violence Project: How to Stop a Mass Shooting Epidemic, winner of the 2022 Minnesota Book Award and hailed as "groundbreaking." His research has been featured by global media and published in 70+ scientific journals and 100+ popular outlets, including The Guardian, The Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, The New York Times, TIME, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post.
Densley holds a doctorate in sociology from the University of Oxford (St. Antony's College). He’s helped secure over $10 million in research funding and is known for pioneering work on street gangs, criminal networks, mass shootings, and policing. In 2019, he was named Metro State’s first University Scholar.
A sought-after speaker, Densley has delivered keynotes on four continents and testified before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, the 9/11 Review Commission, and numerous legislative bodies. He has also served as an expert witness in criminal cases involving gangs and gun violence. Densley has advised the United Nations, NIJ, OJJDP, the FBI, Dstl, the Metropolitan Police Service (London), the Home Office, and others. He received the Points of Light Award from the UK Prime Minister in 2017 for his community work.
Densley coaches varsity boys soccer at Mounds Park Academy.
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