Research

Our Research Focus

At the Institute for Vibrant and Engaged Communities, we employ a community-based participatory approach, combining academic research with real-world applications. 

Our focus areas include:

  • Housing Affordability: Addressing affordable housing in rural areas and small cities.
  • Effective Community Collaboration: Exploring factors for successful collective action.
  • Capacity Building: Assisting local governments and nonprofits to increase organizational and community capacity to address large-scale problems.
  • Rural Response to Economic Development: Analyzing social impacts of rapid economic development, like the Hyundai Metaplant, on rural communities.
  • Health and Community Wellbeing: Investigating the links between social factors and overall rural community wellbeing.

Last updated: 2/21/2024