A New and Reinvigorated Research Agenda for U.S. Local Governments

This essay offers a perspective on a new and reinvigorated research agenda for the study of U.S. local governments. It reports on the ideas and reflections of a set of local government scholars with different vantage points and varied substantive interests. Seven paramount themes or directions for a research agenda were identified, all of which contain numerous threads and thrusts: local government finance and economic development, local government management, intergovernmental relations, collaboration, public engagement, social equity, and institutional design. The essay offers some reasons for optimism about the future of U.S. local governments while also identifying cause for concern.

Roback Scholarship and Brownlow Book Award Nominations

Nominations are open for the Roback Scholarship and the Brownlow Book Award. The deadline for both nominations is May 31, 2021. Send all information to Kaitlyn Blume, Director of Fellow Engagement. Check out the award sites for more information on criteria and instructions on how to nominate.

Meet Our Fellows: Nicholas Hart ('19)

I grew up in a small town in Missouri admiring state and local political and policy processes. But it was really involvement in the Boy Scouts as a youth that nudged me toward a lifelong passion for public service – including for serving others by trying to get the “policy” right. I remember once reaching out to legendary Missouri State Senator Harold Caskey in hopes he would speak with me. He graciously agreed, spending hours discussing public service and telling stories about his experience. His advice to me was like a motto – do whatever you can to help others.