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Desmond Patton

Professor+ Associate Dean+Lab Director

Desmond Upton Patton is a prominent academic and researcher specializing in social work, sociology, and data science. He currently serves as an Associate Professor at Columbia University, where he has made significant contributions to understanding the impacts of social media on youth, particularly concerning trauma, violence, and grief among communities of color.

Academic Background

  • Education:
    • B.A. in Anthropology and Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2004)
    • M.S.W. from the University of Michigan (2006)
    • Ph.D. in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago (2012) .16

Research Focus

Patton's research explores the intersection of social media and youth violence, particularly how online interactions can influence real-world behaviors. His studies include:

  • The conceptualization of threats by gang-involved youth on social media.
  • The role of social media in facilitating youth and gang violence.
  • Development of tools for detecting aggression in social media posts in collaboration with Columbia's Data Science Institute .456

He is known for coining the term "Internet Banging," which describes how gang culture is expressed and navigated online. His work has been recognized for its innovative approach to combining qualitative and computational methods to address complex social issues .347

Professional Roles

Before his current position at Columbia, Patton held various significant roles:

  • Senior Associate Dean at Columbia School of Social Work.
  • Associate Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Columbia's Data Science Institute.
  • Founding Director of the SAFElab, focusing on the intersection of technology and social work .16

Achievements and Recognition

Patton has received numerous accolades for his contributions to the field:

  • 2018 Deborah K. Padgett Early Career Achievement Award from the Society for Social Work Research.
  • Fellowships including the Obama Foundation Fellowship and Presidential Leadership Scholar .27
  • His research findings have been cited in influential legal contexts, including a brief submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the interpretation of threats on social media .67

Patton continues to engage with various professional organizations and advisory councils, contributing his expertise to discussions on technology's role in society and public health .24

Related Questions

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Desmond Patton
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Location

Chicago, Illinois

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