Graffiti Research Institute

Data & Methods

Records require context.

Our approach combines systematic analysis with practitioner knowledge of how graffiti is documented, classified, and interpreted. By grounding research in the conditions under which records are collected, we aim to produce findings that are methodologically sound and meaningfully contribute to the academic literature and to practitioners.
01

Photographic and incident documentation

Our research foundation comprises millions of photographic and incident records collected since 2006. This longitudinal resource enables systematic examination of graffiti content, geographic distribution, recurring activity, and patterns of removal and response across time and place.

02

Analyst classification and moniker interpretation

Analyst review transforms photographic documentation into structured research data by identifying monikers, gang references, and forms of communication. Consistent classification and interpretation provide a foundation for linking related incidents, examining recurring activity, and studying behavioral patterns across locations and over time.

03

Analysis across time and place

Time and location fields may allow researchers to examine recurrence, concentration, change, and possible relationships to interventions. Appropriate methods will depend on the question, coverage, unit of analysis, and consistency of the underlying records.