Partnering with State and Local Government

The Walter Rand Institute conducts research in and for South Jersey, with a deep commitment to elevating community voice in public decision-making. We think of community broadly – anyone who lives, works, goes to school, and/or engages with the region. We work closely with State and local government agencies to generate actionable research findings and insights that reflect the lived experiences of residents, service providers, and stakeholders across sectors – including business, healthcare, education, and social services. 

WRI is especially attentive to populations that may be excluded from traditional research methods due to systemic barriers. We collaborate with partners to ensure inclusive representation, including non-English speakers, older adults, low-income individuals, LGBTQIA+ communities, military veterans, and others whose perspectives are essential to equitable policy development. 

Our research approach is typically mixed methods, combining quantitative data with robust qualitative inquiry. We believe qualitative research is a critical tool for shaping sound policy and practice. Most WRI projects include interviews, focus groups, and community engagement strategies that allow us to: 

• Contextualize quantitative findings 
• Identify success stories and bright spots, barriers, and gaps 
• Make informed, community-rooted recommendations 

This methodology enables us to capture voices across race, gender, language, socioeconomic status, age, and other lines of difference, ensuring that policy solutions are both data-driven and community-informed. 

WRI’s research projects generate findings that serve as a trusted resource for information on the social issues of the day in South Jersey. We strive to create and disseminate public-facing reports, briefs, fact sheets, and other materials that support policymakers in making informed decisions in areas such as transportation, workforce development, public  health, food insecurity, and more.  

WRI is uniquely positioned to help government leaders make decisions that reflect both statistical evidence and the lived realities of the communities they serve. 

Are you…

• Developing a policy, program, or initiative and need community input? 
  WRI conducts mixed-methods research that includes both quantitative data and qualitative insights from residents and stakeholders to inform sound, equitable policy. 
• Looking to understand local trends and perspectives around an issue?  
  We can design and implement studies that explore root causes, community perspectives, and potential solutions. 
• Looking to evaluate a public program or service? 
  WRI can assess effectiveness, identify gaps, and provide recommendations for improvement using both data and community voice. 
• Leading a coalition or taskforce that needs data? 
  We can serve as research partner to provide data and research to help align efforts drive group decision-making. 
• Seeking to engage residents in decision-making? 
  WRI facilitates inclusive engagement strategies that reach across language, age, income, and identity to ensure diverse voices are heard. 
• Finding yourself with internal data but need help making sense of it? 
  WRI can analyze and visualize your data to support reporting, planning, and performance improvement. 
• Needing help identifying trends or gaps in service delivery? 
  We provide contextual analysis that connects data to real-world outcomes. 

WRI is also always available to provide briefings on current or past research project findings – please feel free to reach out to us to ask questions and/or learn more about any of our projects and initiatives.