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What We Do

The Center for Community Studies conducts academic research and serves as an institutional resource for community partners working to address specific societal challenges. In addition to publishing scientific research findings and policy analyses, Center members collaborate with government agencies, non-profit organizations and other groups locally, nationally and internationally to

• help analyze problems and strengths as identified by various stakeholders to create a shared agenda that reconciles both common and disparate goals;   
• provide information about established “best approaches,” drawn from academia and policy leaders; 
• conduct original research using statistical and geographic information systems analysis of existing data bases, surveys, ethnography, network analysis, focus groups and other methods;
  
• develop new initiatives, programs and practices that address issues within the specific community context;
• and aid in the implementation of identified interventions, and provide short-term and long-term evaluation of their effectiveness.

Most Center research is organized by core research groups and interest groups to facilitate collaborative scholarship. The core research groups are Schools, Communities and Youth, Urban Neighborhoods and Community Health. The interest groups are International Community Studies and Faith, Spirituality and Community. In addition, emerging research areas are being developed. Collaborative research is common, but individual scholars working on funded projects may affiliate and receive technical support from the Center while working independently of the established research groups.

The Center also organizes and hosts speakers, conferences and other public events that provide a forum for the presentation and discussion of both scholarly research and community needs and initiatives in key areas, including neighborhood revitalization, youth violence, healthy families and affordable housing.

       
Learn more about Center members.

Find out about speakers and activities.