Risk Resilience Research Lab @UCBerkeley
@rrr-lab.bsky.social
UC Berkeley’s Risk Resilience Research Lab | Led by Dr. Jennifer Skeem | Advancing justice, safety & well-being through data-driven, policy-relevant research | Partnering with communities to prevent violence & reduce inequality |
Happy holidays from the Risk-Resilience Lab! We're wrapping up a year of hard work and meaningful partnerships. We're grateful for our research team, community partners, and collaborators who make our work possible. Wishing you rest and renewal this season. 💛✨
#HappyHolidays #RiskResilienceLab
#HappyHolidays #RiskResilienceLab
December 24, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Happy holidays from the Risk-Resilience Lab! We're wrapping up a year of hard work and meaningful partnerships. We're grateful for our research team, community partners, and collaborators who make our work possible. Wishing you rest and renewal this season. 💛✨
#HappyHolidays #RiskResilienceLab
#HappyHolidays #RiskResilienceLab
Wrapped up an incredible P4C season at Grant & Highland Elementary! Students built self-control through videogames, learning to pause and reflect in hot moments.
Expanding to 3 Oakland Unified schools this Spring! 🎮
#PlayingForChange #SeriousGames #RiskResilienceLab #YouthWellbeing #UCBerkeley
Expanding to 3 Oakland Unified schools this Spring! 🎮
#PlayingForChange #SeriousGames #RiskResilienceLab #YouthWellbeing #UCBerkeley
December 23, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Wrapped up an incredible P4C season at Grant & Highland Elementary! Students built self-control through videogames, learning to pause and reflect in hot moments.
Expanding to 3 Oakland Unified schools this Spring! 🎮
#PlayingForChange #SeriousGames #RiskResilienceLab #YouthWellbeing #UCBerkeley
Expanding to 3 Oakland Unified schools this Spring! 🎮
#PlayingForChange #SeriousGames #RiskResilienceLab #YouthWellbeing #UCBerkeley
Winter gathering with the Risk Resilience Lab ❄
Good food, great people, and a guess-the-song-by-personality game that turned out to be a crowd favorite 🎶 Research is better when the team feels connected.
#RiskResilienceLab #LabLife #AcademicJoy #ResearchCommunity #TeamMoments
Good food, great people, and a guess-the-song-by-personality game that turned out to be a crowd favorite 🎶 Research is better when the team feels connected.
#RiskResilienceLab #LabLife #AcademicJoy #ResearchCommunity #TeamMoments
December 17, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Winter gathering with the Risk Resilience Lab ❄
Good food, great people, and a guess-the-song-by-personality game that turned out to be a crowd favorite 🎶 Research is better when the team feels connected.
#RiskResilienceLab #LabLife #AcademicJoy #ResearchCommunity #TeamMoments
Good food, great people, and a guess-the-song-by-personality game that turned out to be a crowd favorite 🎶 Research is better when the team feels connected.
#RiskResilienceLab #LabLife #AcademicJoy #ResearchCommunity #TeamMoments
Meet Ale!
Longtime member of the Risk Resilience Lab & 2nd yr Ph.D. student in Psychology (Engineering Track) at Oregon State. She studies AI, cognition, and human-centered design. Fun fact: she loves thrift shopping, concerts, and finding new food spots!
#MeetTheTeam #psych #Playing4Change
Longtime member of the Risk Resilience Lab & 2nd yr Ph.D. student in Psychology (Engineering Track) at Oregon State. She studies AI, cognition, and human-centered design. Fun fact: she loves thrift shopping, concerts, and finding new food spots!
#MeetTheTeam #psych #Playing4Change
December 15, 2025 at 4:07 AM
Meet Ale!
Longtime member of the Risk Resilience Lab & 2nd yr Ph.D. student in Psychology (Engineering Track) at Oregon State. She studies AI, cognition, and human-centered design. Fun fact: she loves thrift shopping, concerts, and finding new food spots!
#MeetTheTeam #psych #Playing4Change
Longtime member of the Risk Resilience Lab & 2nd yr Ph.D. student in Psychology (Engineering Track) at Oregon State. She studies AI, cognition, and human-centered design. Fun fact: she loves thrift shopping, concerts, and finding new food spots!
#MeetTheTeam #psych #Playing4Change
We’re analyzing how California makes parole decisions and whether the process is fair and consistent. Our work combines live hearing observations, transcript coding, and data analysis to understand the factors that shape outcomes. Learn more: risk-resilience.berkeley.edu/structuring-...
December 8, 2025 at 9:57 PM
We’re analyzing how California makes parole decisions and whether the process is fair and consistent. Our work combines live hearing observations, transcript coding, and data analysis to understand the factors that shape outcomes. Learn more: risk-resilience.berkeley.edu/structuring-...
Meet Anissa Yu!
Second-year Sociology & Economics major at #UCBerkeley assisting with the Risk Resilience Research Lab. She loves translating research into human-centered stories and collaborating with the team. Fun fact: she enjoys photography, jazz piano, and traveling!
#meettheteam
Second-year Sociology & Economics major at #UCBerkeley assisting with the Risk Resilience Research Lab. She loves translating research into human-centered stories and collaborating with the team. Fun fact: she enjoys photography, jazz piano, and traveling!
#meettheteam
December 1, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Meet Anissa Yu!
Second-year Sociology & Economics major at #UCBerkeley assisting with the Risk Resilience Research Lab. She loves translating research into human-centered stories and collaborating with the team. Fun fact: she enjoys photography, jazz piano, and traveling!
#meettheteam
Second-year Sociology & Economics major at #UCBerkeley assisting with the Risk Resilience Research Lab. She loves translating research into human-centered stories and collaborating with the team. Fun fact: she enjoys photography, jazz piano, and traveling!
#meettheteam
Happy Thanksgiving from the Risk Resilience Lab! We're incredibly grateful for our dedicated team, invaluable partners, and steadfast supporters. Your commitment fuels our work in building safer, stronger communities. Wishing you a holiday filled with rest, joy, and meaningful connections. 💛🦃✨
November 26, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Happy Thanksgiving from the Risk Resilience Lab! We're incredibly grateful for our dedicated team, invaluable partners, and steadfast supporters. Your commitment fuels our work in building safer, stronger communities. Wishing you a holiday filled with rest, joy, and meaningful connections. 💛🦃✨
Meet Pearl Chen!
Third-year Psychology & Public Health major at #UCBerkeley assisting with Playing for Change. She loves connecting with students & seeing them grow. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Fun fact: she loves spontaneous trips, concerts, and photography!
#playing4change
Third-year Psychology & Public Health major at #UCBerkeley assisting with Playing for Change. She loves connecting with students & seeing them grow. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Fun fact: she loves spontaneous trips, concerts, and photography!
#playing4change
November 22, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Meet Pearl Chen!
Third-year Psychology & Public Health major at #UCBerkeley assisting with Playing for Change. She loves connecting with students & seeing them grow. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Fun fact: she loves spontaneous trips, concerts, and photography!
#playing4change
Third-year Psychology & Public Health major at #UCBerkeley assisting with Playing for Change. She loves connecting with students & seeing them grow. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Fun fact: she loves spontaneous trips, concerts, and photography!
#playing4change
Our trauma-informed de-escalation training at DSH-Napa proved effective: violence decreased, staff confidence increased, 9.2/10 rating. Based on these results, we expanded in 2025: 6 more units trained, 125 staff assessed, 2 new trainers.
🔗 risk-resilience.berkeley.edu/psychiatric-hospital-safety/
🔗 risk-resilience.berkeley.edu/psychiatric-hospital-safety/
November 20, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Our trauma-informed de-escalation training at DSH-Napa proved effective: violence decreased, staff confidence increased, 9.2/10 rating. Based on these results, we expanded in 2025: 6 more units trained, 125 staff assessed, 2 new trainers.
🔗 risk-resilience.berkeley.edu/psychiatric-hospital-safety/
🔗 risk-resilience.berkeley.edu/psychiatric-hospital-safety/
Meet Maryam Ghazzali!
Senior Psychology major at #UCBerkeley assisting with Playing for Change. She loves collaborating with the team & watching youth grow through the program. She plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psych. Fun fact: she loves exploring urban spaces & making snacks! #playingforchange
Senior Psychology major at #UCBerkeley assisting with Playing for Change. She loves collaborating with the team & watching youth grow through the program. She plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psych. Fun fact: she loves exploring urban spaces & making snacks! #playingforchange
November 15, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Meet Maryam Ghazzali!
Senior Psychology major at #UCBerkeley assisting with Playing for Change. She loves collaborating with the team & watching youth grow through the program. She plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psych. Fun fact: she loves exploring urban spaces & making snacks! #playingforchange
Senior Psychology major at #UCBerkeley assisting with Playing for Change. She loves collaborating with the team & watching youth grow through the program. She plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psych. Fun fact: she loves exploring urban spaces & making snacks! #playingforchange
Can structured tools make parole decisions fairer? We're analyzing 21K+ CA parole hearings to identify racial & socioeconomic disparities and testing whether evidence-based frameworks can improve equity without compromising safety.
🔗 Link: risk-resilience.berkeley.edu/structuring-parole-decisions/
🔗 Link: risk-resilience.berkeley.edu/structuring-parole-decisions/
November 13, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Can structured tools make parole decisions fairer? We're analyzing 21K+ CA parole hearings to identify racial & socioeconomic disparities and testing whether evidence-based frameworks can improve equity without compromising safety.
🔗 Link: risk-resilience.berkeley.edu/structuring-parole-decisions/
🔗 Link: risk-resilience.berkeley.edu/structuring-parole-decisions/
Meet Andrew Dai! Andrew is the Data Analyst for Playing for Change, a science-based program that uses a competitive video game to build social and learning skills in youth. Andrew turns player data into game updates that improve learning and well-being. #MeetTheTeam #UCBerkeley #PlayingForChange
November 8, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Meet Andrew Dai! Andrew is the Data Analyst for Playing for Change, a science-based program that uses a competitive video game to build social and learning skills in youth. Andrew turns player data into game updates that improve learning and well-being. #MeetTheTeam #UCBerkeley #PlayingForChange
Juvenile fees project in Alameda County: 2,401 youth. Fee repeal cut family obligations ~70% (~$1,583) and shortened probation ~4 months. No change in re-arrest. Read the paper in
Law and Human Behavior: psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?d... #JuvenileJustice #FeeRepeal #evidencebased #ucberkeley
Law and Human Behavior: psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?d... #JuvenileJustice #FeeRepeal #evidencebased #ucberkeley
November 6, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Juvenile fees project in Alameda County: 2,401 youth. Fee repeal cut family obligations ~70% (~$1,583) and shortened probation ~4 months. No change in re-arrest. Read the paper in
Law and Human Behavior: psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?d... #JuvenileJustice #FeeRepeal #evidencebased #ucberkeley
Law and Human Behavior: psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?d... #JuvenileJustice #FeeRepeal #evidencebased #ucberkeley
Project Feature: Self-Perception of Risk
In 574 psychiatric inpatients, a single self-rating question predicted self-harm/violence within ~2 months - more accurately than clinician judgment and on par with formal tools.
Read more here: risk-resilience.berkeley.edu/self-percept...
#CrisisCare
In 574 psychiatric inpatients, a single self-rating question predicted self-harm/violence within ~2 months - more accurately than clinician judgment and on par with formal tools.
Read more here: risk-resilience.berkeley.edu/self-percept...
#CrisisCare
November 4, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Project Feature: Self-Perception of Risk
In 574 psychiatric inpatients, a single self-rating question predicted self-harm/violence within ~2 months - more accurately than clinician judgment and on par with formal tools.
Read more here: risk-resilience.berkeley.edu/self-percept...
#CrisisCare
In 574 psychiatric inpatients, a single self-rating question predicted self-harm/violence within ~2 months - more accurately than clinician judgment and on par with formal tools.
Read more here: risk-resilience.berkeley.edu/self-percept...
#CrisisCare
🔦 Saturday Spotlight: Flashback to our 2023 Criminology & Public Policy article (ASC ’25 finalist). Detention recommendations were 34% higher for Black vs White; ~79% of the gap is policy-driven (esp. criminal history). Read: doi.org/10.1111/1745... #PretrialJustice #PolicyImpact #Criminology
November 2, 2025 at 12:26 AM
🔦 Saturday Spotlight: Flashback to our 2023 Criminology & Public Policy article (ASC ’25 finalist). Detention recommendations were 34% higher for Black vs White; ~79% of the gap is policy-driven (esp. criminal history). Read: doi.org/10.1111/1745... #PretrialJustice #PolicyImpact #Criminology
Meet Our Team: Jishan Jiang
She’s a UC Berkeley senior in Legal Studies & Data Science. She's the Data Manager for our lab. She’s interested in the human side of tech and digital workers behind AI. Looking ahead: PhD in Info Science or Sociology focusing on studying science, technology and society.
She’s a UC Berkeley senior in Legal Studies & Data Science. She's the Data Manager for our lab. She’s interested in the human side of tech and digital workers behind AI. Looking ahead: PhD in Info Science or Sociology focusing on studying science, technology and society.
October 30, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Meet Our Team: Jishan Jiang
She’s a UC Berkeley senior in Legal Studies & Data Science. She's the Data Manager for our lab. She’s interested in the human side of tech and digital workers behind AI. Looking ahead: PhD in Info Science or Sociology focusing on studying science, technology and society.
She’s a UC Berkeley senior in Legal Studies & Data Science. She's the Data Manager for our lab. She’s interested in the human side of tech and digital workers behind AI. Looking ahead: PhD in Info Science or Sociology focusing on studying science, technology and society.
Honored our 2023 paper on pretrial detention disparities was a finalist for ASC’s 2025 Joan Petersilia Outstanding Article Award. Key takeaways: 34% higher detention-recommendation rate for Black vs. White defendants; most disparity flows through policy factors. Read more: doi.org/10.1111/1745...
October 28, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Honored our 2023 paper on pretrial detention disparities was a finalist for ASC’s 2025 Joan Petersilia Outstanding Article Award. Key takeaways: 34% higher detention-recommendation rate for Black vs. White defendants; most disparity flows through policy factors. Read more: doi.org/10.1111/1745...
Meet JaVon Jamarr Hampton! #UCBerkeley Cognitive Science junior and D-I long jumper with Cal Athletics. In our lab he supports therapeutic interventions and research for Playing for Change. “I joined to get meaningful, hands-on experience.” His favorite game? #Minecraft.
#MeetTheTeam #UCBerkeley
#MeetTheTeam #UCBerkeley
October 24, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Meet JaVon Jamarr Hampton! #UCBerkeley Cognitive Science junior and D-I long jumper with Cal Athletics. In our lab he supports therapeutic interventions and research for Playing for Change. “I joined to get meaningful, hands-on experience.” His favorite game? #Minecraft.
#MeetTheTeam #UCBerkeley
#MeetTheTeam #UCBerkeley
Project Feature: What happens when counties repeal justice fees? In Alameda County, ending fees cut debt ~69% (~$1,616) and shortened probation ~2 months with no rise in re-arrests. Total sanctions still relate to re-arrest.
Learn more at risk-resilience.berkeley.edu/adult-fee-repeal #FeeRepeal
Learn more at risk-resilience.berkeley.edu/adult-fee-repeal #FeeRepeal
October 20, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Project Feature: What happens when counties repeal justice fees? In Alameda County, ending fees cut debt ~69% (~$1,616) and shortened probation ~2 months with no rise in re-arrests. Total sanctions still relate to re-arrest.
Learn more at risk-resilience.berkeley.edu/adult-fee-repeal #FeeRepeal
Learn more at risk-resilience.berkeley.edu/adult-fee-repeal #FeeRepeal
Meet Thijs Doornbos, the programmer of un-TILTED!, a competitive after-school game that builds self-control. He built the game + backend. He tuned the competition so players care, not tilt. “Games shaped me... this is my chance to give back.”
#PlayingForChange #SeriousGames #YouthWellbeing
#PlayingForChange #SeriousGames #YouthWellbeing
October 13, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Meet Thijs Doornbos, the programmer of un-TILTED!, a competitive after-school game that builds self-control. He built the game + backend. He tuned the competition so players care, not tilt. “Games shaped me... this is my chance to give back.”
#PlayingForChange #SeriousGames #YouthWellbeing
#PlayingForChange #SeriousGames #YouthWellbeing
Author insight: Dr. Luyi Jian of #UAlbany, coauthor on our preprint about prosocial identity. Compassion may be the protective signal. “For lower-risk youth, emphasizing compassion and contribution may be more effective than focusing mainly on rule-following.”
Read: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Read: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
October 11, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Author insight: Dr. Luyi Jian of #UAlbany, coauthor on our preprint about prosocial identity. Compassion may be the protective signal. “For lower-risk youth, emphasizing compassion and contribution may be more effective than focusing mainly on rule-following.”
Read: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Read: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Stephanie Samson just hit one year as our full-time research assistant. Behind the scenes, she keeps programs on track and coordinates with families as we test a science-based, video game–supported program called Playing for Change #YouthWellbeing #gamesforchange #ResearchImpact #p4c
October 8, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Stephanie Samson just hit one year as our full-time research assistant. Behind the scenes, she keeps programs on track and coordinates with families as we test a science-based, video game–supported program called Playing for Change #YouthWellbeing #gamesforchange #ResearchImpact #p4c
We are honored work we were involved in on community treatment is featured in Psychiatric Services’ Editors’ Choice, “Community Correctional Care.” Engagement in community services links to lower short-term reoffending. #EditorsChoice
Explore the collection: psychiatryonline.org/ps/editorsch...
Explore the collection: psychiatryonline.org/ps/editorsch...
October 8, 2025 at 12:04 AM
We are honored work we were involved in on community treatment is featured in Psychiatric Services’ Editors’ Choice, “Community Correctional Care.” Engagement in community services links to lower short-term reoffending. #EditorsChoice
Explore the collection: psychiatryonline.org/ps/editorsch...
Explore the collection: psychiatryonline.org/ps/editorsch...
New preprint: Prosocial identity - especially caring for others - predicts lower 1-yr recidivism (N=958). Not moderated by moral internalization, self-efficacy, or social support.
📄 Read More: ssrn.com/abstract=553...
#JuvenileJustice #ProsocialIdentity #EvidenceBased #umass #ualbany #recidivism
📄 Read More: ssrn.com/abstract=553...
#JuvenileJustice #ProsocialIdentity #EvidenceBased #umass #ualbany #recidivism
October 2, 2025 at 11:15 PM
New preprint: Prosocial identity - especially caring for others - predicts lower 1-yr recidivism (N=958). Not moderated by moral internalization, self-efficacy, or social support.
📄 Read More: ssrn.com/abstract=553...
#JuvenileJustice #ProsocialIdentity #EvidenceBased #umass #ualbany #recidivism
📄 Read More: ssrn.com/abstract=553...
#JuvenileJustice #ProsocialIdentity #EvidenceBased #umass #ualbany #recidivism
Risk Resilience Lab Director Jennifer Skeem joined the PPIC Prop 36 Innovation Day Workshop, helping shape a research agenda on reform impacts. Proud to advance evidence-based policy for safer, healthier, more just communities.
#JusticeReform #PublicPolicy #CommunitySafety
#JusticeReform #PublicPolicy #CommunitySafety
September 30, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Risk Resilience Lab Director Jennifer Skeem joined the PPIC Prop 36 Innovation Day Workshop, helping shape a research agenda on reform impacts. Proud to advance evidence-based policy for safer, healthier, more just communities.
#JusticeReform #PublicPolicy #CommunitySafety
#JusticeReform #PublicPolicy #CommunitySafety