Focus Areas

RUPRI examines a broad range of topics that affect rural places, ranging from local issues to global challenges. Scholars and practitioners from across the country collaborate to develop research, analysis, and policy recommendations that advance rural communities.

Arts and Community

We facilitate and inform the relationship between rural places and the arts through dialogue and collaborations involving artists, organizations, and communities.

Learn more about this focus, including the Next Generation initiative.

Cultural Wealth

We consider the roles that arts, culture, entrepreneurship, and innovation play in forming the diverse assets of cultural wealth within rural communities.

Learn more about this focus, including the Rural Cultural Wealth Lab.

Health

We work to understand and advocate for best practices in the communication, access, organization, finance, and delivery of healthcare services in rural areas.

Learn more about this focus, including the Health Panel, the Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis, the Rural Health Value initiative, and the RHIhub.

Local and State Policy

We advocate for public policy that elicits good governance and adequate resources to foster prosperous, sustainable communities.

Learn more about this focus, including the Center for Local and State Policy.

Population and Place

We examine the activities and effects of rural wealth, public investment, and social mobility and develop frameworks to enable deeper analysis.

Learn more about this focus, including the Population and Place Analytics Panel.

National and International Policy

Our scholars provide expert testimony and insight to national policymakers, including the United States Congress. We also participate in the global conversation on rural issues.

Past Engagement Topics

Our past focus areas now inform research in many of our current focus areas.

Learn more about our past engagement topics, including International Policy, the Rural Poverty Research Center, and the Human Services Panel.