• Based on behavioral science research, Shakespeare & Violence Prevention: A Practical Handbook for Educators equips teachers with innovative tools to engage students in modern topics, including bullying and violence, and promote safer schools.
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New violence prevention tools feature Shakespeare

Bridging the Bard’s legacy with modern, research-based bullying solutions 

July 24, 2025— No one wants to hear about a new book — unless it helps create safer schools and provides teachers with actionable steps.

Just in time for back to school, Amanda Giguere, founder of the Shakespeare & Violence Prevention Program, has released a powerful new tool for educators with step-by-step guidance for integrating Shakespeare’s work into curricula with a focus on preventing violence. 

Shakespeare & Violence Prevention: A Practical Handbook for Educators is inspired by Giguere’s ground-breaking work in applying Shakespeare’s timeless plays to modern issues like bullying and violence, equips educators with innovative tools to engage students in discussions on empathy, respect, and upstander behavior.

Since 2011, Giguere has collaborated with CU Boulder’s Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, and other community partners, to adapt Shakespeare’s works for the classroom. 

Through performances and workshops, the program has reached nearly 140,000 students across 30 counties in Colorado. 

Giguere outlines practical methods for bringing these lessons to classrooms nationwide, using Shakespeare’s characters and plots to reflect the complexities of violence and its prevention.

“Shakespeare, who explored the depths of human behavior, provides a powerful lens for understanding bullying, violence, and empathy today,” said Giguere.

By emphasizing upstander behavior—a core message in preventing bullying—Shakespeare & Violence Prevention empowers students to intervene when they witness mistreatment. 

Research shows that bullying can stop within 10 seconds if someone takes action, and Giguere’s program helps students practice these interventions in a safe, creative environment. 

Historical data shows that between 85-90% of students who participate in the program express an intention to act as upstanders in real-world situations.

Learn more. Request an interview.