Social Discourse Around School Shootings: Using Natural Language Processing to Understand the Path From Tragedy to Federal Legislation

• In Event: Examining the Discourse and Context of School Safety and Discipline

Abstract

This study examines social media Twitter data pertaining to the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Using natural language processing, the study identifies topic areas present in the public discourse from the time of the shooting to the passage of the federal Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The results demonstrate differences in attention across topics - from attention to victims to federal gun control policy - and helps inform our understanding of the social context of policy making decisions related to school safety.

Author

• Chris Curran, University of Florida
  Presenting Author