RUPRI Enhances Analytic
Capacity and Announces National Analytic Initiative
April 18, 2013
Story Contact:
Columbia, Mo. ---
The
Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) today announced the appointment of Dr.
Matthew Fannin, as Associate Director, RUPRI Analytic and Academic Programs. He
is currently Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics and
Agribusiness, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, and Louisiana
Center for Rural Initiatives. RUPRI is a national policy institute
headquartered in the Harry S Truman School of Public Affairs at the University
of Missouri. Dr. Fannin received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Louisiana State
University, and his Ph.D. in agricultural economics from the University of
Missouri.
"RUPRI
is honored that Matt Fannin has accepted this leadership position," Charles W.
Fluharty, RUPRI President, said, "which will significantly enhance our capacity
in regional economic analysis, as we build a national collaboration to support this
programming, under a new Cooperative Agreement with the Office of the Chief
Economist, USDA."
Dr.
Fannin will provide additional leadership to RUPRI's Analytic and Academic Programs,
directed by Dr. Tom Johnson, Frank Miller Professor of Agricultural Economics,
and Professor, Harry S Truman School of Public Affairs, University of Missouri,
as a panel of economists from across the nation collaborate in this effort. Over
the past two decades, this network has built programs of national and international
significance, including the creation of the Community Policy Analysis Network
(CPAN) and the International Comparative Rural Policies Studies program
(ICRPS).
"Over
the last decade, Dr. Fannin has established a strong record of applied policy
research and analysis at local, state and national levels," said Tom Johnson. "He
is a respected scholar in regional and policy economics. We are very pleased
that he has agreed to lend his considerable talents to RUPRI's efforts to add
more rigor to regional and rural policy analysis."
Dr.
Fannin's has a wide research background including work on intellectual property
in rural regions and impacts of the Critical Access Hospital program on
efficient delivery of health care in rural areas. His current research focuses
on the role of public sector investments in rural wealth creation and disaster
resiliency. His research has been funded by numerous federal agencies, including
the Departments of Agriculture, Interior and Commerce.
Formed in 1990 at the request of members of the Senate Agriculture
Committee with foundational support from Iowa State University, University of
Nebraska and the University of Missouri, RUPRI is now an institution of
international significance with a presence throughout the country. RUPRI's
mission is to provide objective analysis and facilitate public dialogue on the
rural impacts of public policies and programs.
