Regional Institute Nationally Recognized for Its Work

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Regional Institute at the University at Buffalo has received two national awards for its work from the Association for University Business and Economic Research, a professional association of research units at public and private universities.

The institute received the "Best Web Site" award and was awarded "Best Abstracts and Other Data Publications" for its Policy Brief series, a periodic publication that informs regional issues with timely, reliable data and analysis. Both awards were presented last week at AUBER's annual conference in Pensacola Beach, Fla.

The institute unveiled its redesigned Web site in January 2007 to convey the breadth of its work and provide the binational Buffalo Niagara region with a one-stop regional information resource on public policy issues. The Policy Brief series, which has issued 10 briefs since its August 2006 launch, alerts Buffalo Niagara's leaders and decision makers to critical regional issues while framing issues with data and an objective perspective.

"We are delighted to have received two out of the six awards presented by AUBER for 2007," said Kathryn A. Foster, institute director. "It's a significant recognition from our peers and shows that our commitment to quality research and clear, professional communication of our work can take the institute to a national level."

AUBER judged Web sites for the scope and timelines of their content, site design, user friendliness and compatibility with the targeted audience. The institute's Web site was designed to be easily navigable for sophisticated and lay users, ranging from elected leaders and community activists to students and researchers. It is organized around three resource areas: 1) Tools with dynamic access to data and analyses, 2) Research initiatives with links to publications and data, and 3) Community-initiated projects with access to reports and resources. Linked from the institute Web site are the online Regional Knowledge Network, a resource for data and maps on the binational region, and the State of the Region performance measurement project. The institute's Web site also encourages public engagement through a contact forum and mailing list.

Entries for the Abstracts and Other Data Publications category were evaluated for layout and design, content and writing, and overall quality. The institute's Policy Briefs incorporate data charts, tables and mapping with narrative analyses, all presented in a highly accessible, illustrated format. The series has taken on such topics as the cross-border economy, poverty, violent crime, public employment, regional identity and air quality. In the past year the briefs have attracted ample audience and media coverage in the Buffalo Niagara region. All briefs are available at the institute's Web site.

AUBER also presented an award for each of the following categories: magazines and journals, special studies, technical or contract reports, and newsletters, brochures and other promotional materials.

A major research and public policy unit of UB, the Regional Institute plays a vital role in addressing key policy and governance issues for regions, with focused analysis of the Buffalo-Niagara region. A unit of the UB Law School, the institute leverages the resources of the university and binational community to pursue a wide range of scholarship, projects and initiatives that frame issues, inform decisions and guide change.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, the largest and most comprehensive campus in the State University of New York. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.