Some of the concerns among European researchers about gang research are that it may contribute to the development of moral panic about gangs; that it may stigmatize individuals, communities, or ethnic groups; that it may justify and therefore strengthen gangs among minority groups, as well as the perception that ethnic minority youth dominate gangs; and may promote punitive policies against minority youth of particular ethnic groups. In order to address these concerns about the negative impacts of gang research, the research team that conducted gang research under the auspices of the University of Manchester engaged in voluntary work at youth clubs and community centers and consulted and assisted community groups involved in reducing gun crime and gangs in the community. The team also assisted in preparing funding applications for community groups in order to support their work, which included designing and evaluating local research projects. The primary strategy for reducing possible stigmatization of minority youth and neighborhoods was not to disclose publicly the name of the city in which research was conducted. The anonymity of the research city was so thorough in the dissemination of research results that even locals or insiders could only make educated guesses about the city’s true identity. It was challenging, but not impossible, to situate the research findings within literature and data that provide historical, geographical, and socioeconomic context. This strategy of successful anonymity has been the key to gaining support and collaboration from key community stakeholders who did not want publications that further stigmatized their community and glorified particular gangs as "brand names." 52 references