Get to Know Paige Tetens

In 2018, as an undergraduate student at Rutgers University, Bloomberg Fellow Paige Tetens sought to use her skills in political activism to have an impact in reducing gun violence in the United States. She soon came to realize that this was a public health problem broader and more complex than she had expected, affecting individuals, families, and communities across the country. 

Today, Tetens is a Senior Research Associate with Everytown for Gun Safety, where she examines the causes of gun violence and the policies that can help prevent it. Her work includes analyzing trends, conducting original research, and reviewing emerging strategies in gun violence prevention. The work requires both a close examination of data and a willingness to respond as patterns of gun violence change. 

“While daunting, I believe that the issue of gun violence in this country is solvable,” Tetens says. “I’m grateful to be able to connect my skills in data analytics with my passion for creating a safer country for everyone.” 

One of the projects Tetens is most proud of: a research report examining the intersection of misogyny, extremism, and gun violence. As the lead on her first research project at Everytown, she and her colleagues examined an emerging form of armed extremism while incorporating the experiences of survivors of misogynist violence. The project found that online misogynist communities are extremely prevalent and the impact of violent misogyny, combined with the unique harm of violence involving guns, makes addressing it an urgent issue.  

For Tetens, the project demonstrated the value of allowing people directly affected by violence to help shape research. While conducting her research, Tetens spoke with Richard Martinez, a father who lost his 20-year-old son, Chris, to a tragic mass shooting event in Isla Vista, California. Richard’s story, and his subsequent fight to reduce gun violence, provided context that data alone could not, strengthening the connection between research findings and the real-world consequences of gun violence. 

As a Bloomberg Fellow, Tetens hopes to learn from others working to address complex public health challenges.