Cornell University is part of a multidisciplinary, multi-institution research team that earned the National Excellence in Multistate Research Award from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This prestigious and highly competitive award recognizes scientists who conduct exemplary research and outreach efforts across multiple states and in doing so enhance the visibility and impact of USDA multistate programs. This is the first time this award has been presented to social scientists.
The project, known as W4001: Social, Economic and Environmental Causes and Consequences of Demographic Change in Rural America, conducts research on the most pressing demographic, economic, social, and environmental challenges faced by rural communities in the U.S. Rural areas make up 72% of the nation’s land area, house 46 million people, and are essential to agriculture, natural resources, recreation, and environmental sustainability. These areas are constantly changing, and many face challenges such as limited access to healthcare, education, broadband internet, and jobs.
“Rural America — including rural Upstate New York — face extraordinary demographic and economic challenges now and into the future,” said Daniel Lichter, the Ferris Family Professor of Life Course Studies in Policy Analysis and Management and Sociology and member of the project team. “W4001 and Cornell's rural social scientists have placed the national spotlight on rural people and small towns. We are thrilled that the public policy community is paying close attention to our research and policy recommendations.”
Cornell experts include Nina Glasgow, Joe Francis and David Brown in the Department of Global Development, and Lichter in the College of Human Ecology. Earlier this year the team earned the Western Region Excellence in Research Award; the new award recognizes the team’s national excellence.
“This interdisciplinary group of scholars has provided me with invaluable collegial support throughout my career. My productivity and impact as a social demographer has been enhanced through participation in W-4001,” said Brown, emeritus international professor of global development.
Events like the Great Recession, the opioid epidemic, and the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted how such challenges can lead to major disruptions to the environmental, economic, social, and physical wellbeing of rural communities. The team’s findings have contributed to numerous local, state and national policies that support rural sustainability and well-being.
“Our examination of the effects of population aging on rural communities' access to and utilization of health and other services has provided important context for understanding a critical weakness in rural community response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Glasgow