Bridging Research & Community
The Lehigh Valley Research Consortium (LVRC) combines the expertise of researchers from institutions of higher education and community partners in the Lehigh Valley to examine various issues (e.g., political, economic, social, health and environmental) and solutions in a regional context. Through its efforts, the LVRC functions as a community-based information resource for Lehigh Valley governments, non-profits, and citizens concerned with the overall quality of life in the region.
This level of collaborative spirit makes the LVRC unique among consortia. Faculty, working across disciplines and campuses, create community-focused reports to help inform policy decisions. This research provides the opportunity to engage students in applied research projects both inside and outside of the classroom.
Recognizing the growing regional identity of the Lehigh Valley and the interdependence of people, organizations and markets, the LVRC serves as a resource to improve the lives of residents of Lehigh and Northampton Counties. Because many problems and issues appear local but affect the wider region, LVRC activities examine political, economic, social, health, and environmental issues and solutions in a regional context. The cross-institutional collaboration of the LVRC also provides an opportunity to enhance the quality of college classroom teaching by providing access to better data, more resources in the form of improved student research assistantships, faculty awards for local research projects, and by bringing together faculty members with similar areas of specialty to focus on regional topics.
Ongoing Initiatives:
- Research and Teaching
- Community Outreach
The LVRC provides undergraduate and graduate students the chance for hands-on research experience in ongoing studies and enhances opportunities for both interdisciplinary and cross-institutional collaboration. LVRC serves as a connection point among faculty members of multiple institutions that may share similar research interests with no vehicles for collaboration on local projects. University participation in local issues also creates possibilities for community members to build relations with faculty and participate in LVRC events held on local college campuses, while also providing opportunities for academics to get involved in community agencies and events.
For more information, email LVRC Director Christine Carpino.
Executive Committee 2023-2024
The LVRC Executive Committee serves as an advisory and action-based council to the research consortium. Each LVAIC campus maintains two executive committee members while the local community colleges each have one representative.
Director
Dr. Christine Carpino
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Cedar Crest College
carpinoc@lvaic.org
Cedar Crest College
Dr. Hollie Gibbons
Assistant Professor of Health Sciences
Hgibbon@cedarcrest.edu
Dr. Chelsea Toth
Director of Field Education
Assistant Professor of Social Work
chelsea.toth@cedarcrest.edu
DeSales University
Dr. Michelle Bolger
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
Michelle.Bolger@desales.edu
Lafayette College
Dr. Rohan Prabhu
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
prabhur@lafayette.edu
Dr. Chris Ruebeck
Associate Professor of Economics
ruebeckc@lafayette.edu
Lehigh Carbon Community College
Dr. Bassam Romaya
Assistant Professor of Sociology
bromaya@lccc.edu
Moravian University
Dr. Colleen Payton
Assistant Professor of Public Health
paytonc@moravian.edu
Dr. Cathy Coyne
Associate Professor of Practice in Public Health
coynec@moravian.edu
Muhlenberg College
Dr. Chrysan Cronin
Director and Associate Professor of Public Health
chrysancronin@muhlenberg.edu
Dr. Ranajoy Ray-Chaudhari
Associate Professor of Economics
ranajoyray-chaudhuri@muhlenberg.edu
State of the Lehigh Valley
Each year, the Lehigh Valley Research Consortium publishes the State of the Lehigh Valley: Community Trends at a Glance, a report that showcases consortial faculty research on the quality of life in the Lehigh Valley region. The most recent report is released at an annual event, which provides a venue for local business and community leaders to gather, listen to findings, and discuss opportunities for collaborative action. In 2016, we celebrated LVRC’s 10th anniversary.
LVRC State of the Lehigh Valley Report & Presentations 2021
LVRC State of the Lehigh Valley Report 2019-2020
LVRC State of the Lehigh Valley Reports 2008-2018
LVRC State of the Lehigh Valley Reports – searchable by authors and institution
Lehigh Valley Research Community
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