Since 2011, the Observing Civic Engagement Lab at the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, led by Associate Professors Matthew Baggetta and Brad Fulton, has been conducting impactful research in Bloomington and Indianapolis. Now, thanks to generous funding from The Trust for Civic Life, the OCE Lab will be expanding its research on communities to three new areas of the United States.
With this expansion, the lab’s research will include collaborative projects in:
- The Tri-Lake Region in the Adirondacks, New York (in partnership with the Adirondack Community Foundation)
- Kootenai County, Idaho (in partnership with the Innovia Foundation)
- Dubuque, Iowa (in partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque)
“Expanding our research to multiple communities in the U.S. will allow us to assess similarities and differences across state and regional contexts,” Fulton said.
The OCE Lab seeks to uncover how people interact within civil society organizations and how those interactions can strengthen organizations, promote civic engagement, and improve the quality of life in communities. Thanks to The Trust for Civic Life—which works in more than 50 communities, primarily in rural areas, to improve civic opportunities—the OCE Lab’s expanded research will generate important insights for local leaders and organizations nationwide.
“The lab recently hosted intensive in-person training for its New York and Idaho teams, where they observed participating organizations alongside experienced research assistants and learned more about our research methods,” said Claire Woodward, lab and program manager at OCE. “The Iowa team also joined us in July to complete their training and prepare for their own local project launch.”
With this expansion comes new roles and responsibilities within the OCE Lab. Eliza Brader joins as project manager for Bloomington, while Woodward will oversee management of the new project areas.
Across all initiatives, the OCE Lab employs more than 40 students and community members, with more than 20 alumni having contributed to the lab’s work over the years.
“This growth not only strengthens our research capabilities but also deepens our commitment to advancing civic participation and public dialogue, both in Bloomington and beyond,” Baggetta said. “The expansion of the Observing Civic Engagement Lab marks a bold new chapter in our mission to make civic engagement visible, accessible, and impactful for communities across the country.”
For further information about the Observing Civic Engagement Lab and ongoing initiatives, please visit the lab’s website.