Senator Walter Rand Institute for
Public Affairs
Community-focused Research in and for Southern New Jersey
About Us
The Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs (WRI) at Rutgers–Camden has been a long-standing and trusted regional community partner for over 25 years. WRI honors former Senator Rand’s dedication to Southern New Jersey and exists to produce and highlight community-focused research and evaluation leading to sound public policy and practice in the region. With that as a foundation, WRI convenes and engages stakeholders in making the connections across research, policy, and practice in support of Camden City and Southern New Jersey residents. Using social science research methods, WRI specializes in transforming data into actionable information across a variety of areas, including workforce development, education, transportation, and public/population health. WRI reinforces and amplifies Rutgers’ research, teaching, and service goals by connecting the multidisciplinary expertise of faculty to regional problems, developing research and professional skills in students, and linking the resources of higher education to communities in Southern New Jersey.
Latest Research and News
Vote for WRI – New Jersey Social Innovation Awards!
Take a minute and vote for WRI! We’re in the last category.
Read our latest blog post: Learning, Adapting, and Advancing – Connecting Past Experiences to Strategic Direction
WRI Releases AtlantiCare CHNA sharing community health findings from Atlantic County
New Release: 2025 Annual Report
WRI Open House: Express Your Interest
Join the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs (WRI) for a half‑day Open House designed to bring together State and local agencies, legislators, county representatives, community organizations, and cross‑sector partners who care about strengthening the eight South Jersey counties. During this highly interactive session, attendees will learn more about the Institute’s work and how to partner with WRI to meet critical research goals, such as: (1) needs assessments that help you understand communities better, 2) project and program evaluations, 3) gathering community and stakeholder input, and more.
Celebrating 25 Years of the Walter Rand Institute
Over the past 25 years, the Walter Rand Institute has made significant strides, shaping its role and strengthening its impact on both the university and the broader South Jersey community. WRI continues to uphold a strong commitment to bringing community and leadership together to make connections across research, policy, and practice in the region.
As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we reflect on the lasting impact we’ve made—and we invite you to be a part of our next chapter.
Our Work
Community-Facing Research in and for Southern New Jersey
Teaching and Training the Next Generation of Social Science Researchers
Linking Rutgers University–Camden to Regional Issues
