Honoring Joan Moore Through Her Students
Summary
On March 11, 2016, the Great Cities Institute at the University of Illinois Chicago hosted “Honoring Joan Moore Through Her Students: Latino Gang Research: Findings, Methodology, and Implications,” a special event celebrating the life, scholarship, and enduring intellectual influence of Joan Moore, a pioneering researcher in the study of gangs and urban communities. Held at UIC’s Hull-House Dining Hall, the gathering featured Diego Vigil, John Hagedorn, Avelardo Valdez, and Alice Cepeda, scholars whose work was shaped by Moore’s mentorship and contributions to Latino gang research. The program explored research findings, methodological approaches, and broader implications for understanding gang involvement and community life.
The event highlighted Moore’s lasting influence on generations of scholars (and in particular those named above), whose research on gangs, structural inequality, and urban marginalization reflected a shared commitment to challenging stereotypes and understanding marginalized communities within their broader social contexts. Through the perspectives of scholars influenced by Moore, the gathering celebrated her contributions to community-engaged research and the continued relevance of her intellectual legacy in advancing critical scholarship and social justice.