The Regional Research Institute (RRI) at West Virginia University is a university-wide regional science research center for graduate students and faculty members in the fields of economics, resource economics, geography, history and sociology. Professor William H. Miernyk, a regional economist trained at Harvard, came to West Virginia University and founded RRI and served as the 1st Director. Since its opening in 1965, the Regional Research Institute has helped scholars do research. For numerous individuals, both at West Virginia University and elsewhere, it has provided crucial encouragement, stimulation, and opportunities. Its programs involve faculty members, graduate students, and an extensive network of scholars in the United States and abroad.
About The Regional Research Institute conducts and promotes interdisciplinary research on the economic and social development of lagging regions. As a center of regional research excellence for more than four decades, the RRI has served as an international recognized center for the advancement of regional science-an interdisciplinary field at the intersection of geography, economics, and planning.
The orientation William H. Miernyk established is at the heart of the Institute today: The Regional Research Institute exists for scholarly research. Scholars define the research projects, and scholars evaluate the proposals and results. The overall objective is to increase knowledge through publication of journal articles and books. Graduate students are an integral part of the institute. As their educations progress, so do their roles on research projects. They learn research skills, conduct and publish research, and present papers at conferences in the U.S. and worldwide. The scope of the Institute extends beyond the economic and social problems of Appalachia to similar regions elsewhere. It incorporates an enduring focus on quantitative methods for studying regions and evaluating policy directions. The Institute encourages and nurtures international and multidisciplinary research. It organizes conferences and seminars, initiates research activities, creates research opportunities abroad, and hosts visiting scholars.
For 50 years, the Regional Research Institute has helped scholars do research. For numerous individuals, both at West Virginia University and elsewhere, it has provided crucial encouragement, stimulation, and opportunities. Its programs involve faculty members, graduate students, and an extensive network of scholars in the United States and abroad.
Directors William H. Miernyk, 1965–1983 Robert Saunders, acting director, 1969–1970 Patrick C. Mann, Interim, 1983–1984 Andrew M. Isserman, 1985–1997 Brian J. Cushing, acting director, 1991 Luc Anselin, Interim Director, 1997–1998 Scott Loveridge, 1999–2000 Ronald L. Lewis, Interim Director, 2000–2001 Randall W. Jackson, Director, 2001-2022 Heather M. Stephens, 2023-
Research Assistant Professors
Two faculty positions were created at the RRI in 1985. They are non-tenure track, two-to-three year appointments for recent Ph.D.s capable of becoming leading scholars. The research assistant professors conduct their own research, participate in joining research projects, and generally teach one course per year.
Paul M. Beaumont, 1985-1987 Robert Walker, 1985-1987 Mary Beth Pudup, 1986-1989 PhilipShapira, 1988-1990 Carla Dickstein, 1988-1990 Stephen Fournier, 1991-1993 Terance Rephann, 1993-1994 Stephan Weiler, 1994-1996 Cynthia Rogers, 1994-1997 Emily Talen, 1995-1998 Attila Varga, 1997-1998 Oleg Smirnov, 1998 Ge Lin, 2000-2005 Shaoming Cheng, 2006-2008 Randall Rosenberger, 2000-2002 Gianfranco Piras, 2010-2014
Research Associates One faculty-equivalent position was created in 2005. These individuals are non-tenure track, three-year appointments for more senior Ph.D. researchers capable of becoming leading scholars. The research associates conduct their own research, participate in RRI research projects, and contribute to instruction by committee participation, teaching course modules, and presenting guest lectures and seminars.
Hodjat Ghadimi, 2005-2010
Research Associate Professor This is a tenured, joint position; 50 percent of the appointment is with the RRI, 25 percent of the appointment is with Agricultural and Resource Economics and 25 percent of the appointment is with Economics.
Donald J. Lacombe, 2010-
Web Book of Regional Science The Web Book of Regional Science was initiated in 2001–present. It brings together on one website comprehensive descriptions of many of the basic concepts, analytical tools and policy issues important to regional science. As of 2020, the Web book series hosts PDFs for the entire Scientific Geography Series.
Selective publications are listed below:
Classics in Regional Science An Introduction to Regional Economics, Edgar M. Hoover and Frank Giarratani The 1975 West Virginia Input-Output Study: Modeling a Regional Economy, Anthony L.Loviscek, Randy E. Holliday, Lucinda A. Robinson, and Melissa A Wolford Elements of Input-Output Analysis, William H. Miernyk Optimal Location of Facilities, Gerard Rushton Scientific Geography Series, Grant Ian Thrall, editor Land Use and Urban Form, Grant Ian Thrall
Methods or Empirically Oriented Contributions Analysis of Land Use Change: Theoretical and Modeling Approaches, Helen Briassoulis Computable General Equilibrium Modeling for Regional Analysis, Eliécer E. Vargas, Dean F. Schreiner, Gelson Tembo, and David W. Marcouiller Industrial and Regional Clusters: Concepts and Comparative Applications, Edward M. Bergman and Edward J. Feser An Introduction to State and Local Public Finance, Thomas A. Garrett and John C. Weatherman Keystone Sector Identification: A Graph Theory-Social Network Analysis Approach, Maureen Kilkenny and Laura Nalbarte Migration and Local Labor Markets, Stephan J.Goetz Regions in Changing Economic Environment, Gennadi Kazakevitch and Sharn Enzinger Regional Impact Models, William Schaffer Spatial Econometrics, James LeSage
Policy or Practice Oriented Contributions Community Preparedness for Site Development, William Grunkemeyer, Myra Moss, and Jerold R. Thomas The Geography of the New Economy, R. D. Norton Key Concepts in Sustainable Development, William Grunkemeyer and Myra Moss Regional Governance, Institutions and Development, Mike Danson and Geoff Whittam Site Planning and Design, Steven B. McBride Poverty, Inequality and Social Justice in Nonmetropolitan America, Don Albrecht
Sources Regional Research Institute Regional Research Institute Timeline from 1965 to 2010 RRI Timeline Updated May-2015
References