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.
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.
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-
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
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
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-
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. 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