Bridging Academia and Lived Experience with Dr. Gabriel Velez

Restorative Works!

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Gabriel Velez, Ph.D., to the Restorative Works! Podcast.  Dr. Velez joins us to explore the intricate ways adolescents perceive violence, peace, and justice, shedding light on the critical need for adult reflection and humility in restorative work. They discuss how the societal emphasis on punitive measures influences young minds and the significance of creating safe, engaging environments for students to express their voices. He shares his journey from a classroom teacher in New York, Peru, and Colombia to a thought leader in the academic realm. He reflects on the complexities and emotional challenges of implementing restorative justice in everyday school environments, drawing on his experiences in Colombia during the peace process. Dr. Velez also addresses the integration of PeaceWorks programs in Colombian schools, emphasizing the importance of adaptable, localized approaches to restorative justice. Dr. Velez is an assistant professor and developmental psychologist in the Department of Educational Policy and Leadership (EDPL) in the College of Education at Marquette University. He studies identity development in adolescents, particularly in relation to civic development, human rights, and peace, including young people’s understandings and responses to peace education and restorative practices in their schools. He has collaborated extensively with schools and nonprofit educational organizations in Milwaukee and Colombia. He is working on a Spencer Foundation Small Research grant study about Black and Latino/a students’ perceptions and meaning making of school-based restorative justice. He is the 2022 recipient of Division 48 of the APA’s Ed Cairns Early Career Award. He received a B.A. in History and Literature from Harvard University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in Comparative Human Development. Tune in to learn more about Dr. Velez’s vision for the future of restorative practices, including the role of anti-racism and youth leadership in shaping more equitable and inclusive communities.