Research Agenda

My research interests revolve around the intersection of geography, place, and criminological theory in studying the community context of crime. Given the range of diversity in studying the neighborhood correlates of crime, my research has been staunchly interdisciplinary and is driven by my broad interests in criminology and social ecology. My research is primarily quantitative in nature routinely using spatial methods (e.g., ArcGIS, RTM, GeoDa) and social network analysis (e.g., UCINET) to empirically analyze either primary or secondary data. I also work on more comparative research that is more conceptual/theoretical. Specifically, my research agenda is two-fold: Socio-spatial Dynamics of Gang Behavior and Problem Oriented Policing Strategies and Policies.The first component of my research program, the socio-spatial dynamics of gang behavior (i.e., territoriality, group cohesion, and violence), builds on the observation that street gangs are a localized phenomenon emerging and adapting in a particular geography. This also includes comparing and contrasting the attributes of street gangs with other deviant groups (i.e., ISIS, racist skinheads, alt-right/far-right groups, etc.). In attempting to understand how street gangs’ function, it is necessary to analyze not only the spatial patterns of behavior but also a group’s social interactions. I accomplish this by analyzing unique primary and secondary data.

In order to craft effective strategies aimed at reducing neighborhood violence and discouraging gang activity, it is necessary to understand the dynamic nature of street gang behavior. It is just as important to examine how problem-oriented policing strategies (e.g., gang units, civil gang injunctions) and policies (e.g., drug enforcement, predictive analytics) impact street gangs. This second component of my research program builds on this notion by investigating not only gang specific policing approaches but also general policing tactics.

Public Facing Research

Urbanik, M., Greene, C., Maier, K., & Valasik, M. (August 26, 2025). “Drug dealers are converting people’s homes into ‘trap houses,’ driving up homelessness and violence in Thunder Bay.” The Conversation.

Valasik, M. & Reid, S. E. (December 11, 2024). “The chilling crime spree of The Order – and its lasting effect on today’s white supremacists.”  The Conversation.

Valasik, M. & Reid, S. E. (September 20, 2023). “How local police could help prevent another January 6th-style insurrection.”  The Conversation.

Inglis, J., Cooter, A., Valasik, M., Bloom, M., Kamali, S. Reid, S. E., & Moskalenko, S. (May, 26, 2023). “Oath Keepers founder sentenced to 18 years for seditious conspiracy in lead-up to Jan. 6 insurrection – 4 essential reads.” The Conversation.

Inglis, J., Horgan, J., Valasik, M., Reid, S. E., & Moffitt, U. (May 4, 2023). “Proud Boys members convicted of seditious conspiracy – 3 essential reads on the group and right-wing extremist white nationalism.” The Conversation.

Valasik, M. (December 7, 2022). “Boisterous armed white supremacist street gang out maneuvered Columbus police.”  The Columbus Dispatch.

Valasik, M. & Reid, S. E. (June 9, 2022). “Regardless of seditious conspiracy charges’ outcome, right-wing groups like Proud Boys seek to build a white nation.” The Conversation.

Valasik, M. & Reid, S. E. (May 12, 2021). “Why Law Enforcement Needs to Classify Far-right Groups as Gangs?” Contexts: Sociology for the Public.

Valasik, M. & Reid, S. E. (March 15, 2021). “After the insurrection, America’s far-right groups get more extreme.” The Conversation.

Valasik, M. & Reid, S. E. (February 23, 2021) “The ‘Right’ Way to Study White Power Groups: The Value of Comparisons.” UC Press Blog.

Reid, S. E. & Valasik, M. (October 3, 2020) “The Proud Boys are a far-right gang. Trump boosted them on national TV.” The Guardian.

Valasik, M. & Reid, S. E. (June 5, 2020). “Why are white supremacists protesting the deaths of black people?” The Conversation.

Reid, S. E. & Valasik, M. (April 28, 2020). “Why are white supremacists protesting to ‘reopen’ the US economy?” The Conversation.

Reid, S. E., & Valasik, M. ( November 13, 2019) “White & Proud: Alt-Right Gangs in Today’s White Power Movement.” UC Press Blog.

Valasik, M. & Reid, S. E. (Dec. 4, 2018). “White nationalist groups are really street gangs, and law enforcement needs to treat them that way.” The Conversation.

Phillips, M., Bagavathi, A., Reid S. E., Valasik. M., & Krishnan, S. (Nov. 29, 2018). “The daily use of Gab is climbing. Which talker might become as violent as the Pittsburgh synagogue gunman?” The Washington Post (The Monkey Cage).

Reid, S. & Valasik, M. (Aug. 14, 2018). “To Deter Violence, Consider Alt-Right Groups as Street Gangs.” The Crime Report.

Phillips, M. & Valasik. M. (Nov. 15, 2017). “The Islamic State is more like a street gang than like other terrorist groups.” The Washington Post (The Monkey Cage).

Valasik, M. (Sept. 21, 2017). “Halting Gang Database a Concern.” The Portland Tribune.