Regional Institute Nationally Recognized for Its Work

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- For the second year in a row, the University at Buffalo's Regional Institute has received national recognition for its work from the Association for University Business and Economic Research (AUBER), a professional association of research units at public and private universities.

The institute received the "Best Newsletters, Brochures, Other Promotional Materials" award for materials developed for its 10th Anniversary Symposium on Change. The award was presented last week at AUBER's annual conference in Bellingham, Wash.

The institute's Symposium on Change, held in October 2007, engaged regional leaders and community members in addressing such topics as how change happens, why we resist it and what it means for the Buffalo Niagara region. Recognized both for their innovative design and rich informational content, symposium materials included a briefing book and the event program and invitation.

The briefing book, "The Difference a Decade Makes" reviews regional and national change between 1997 and 2007 on topics ranging from jobs, health and politics to weather, food and cell phone use. The briefing book presents information in response to questions posed by "Steve," a 30-something regional resident who wonders how things have changed as he goes through the routines of his typical day. The book and event program can be viewed online at http://regional-institute.buffalo.edu.

"We are so pleased to have received an AUBER award for the second year in a row, an important honor from peer research and policy centers" said Kathryn Bryk Friedman, institute deputy director. "Such recognition of our commitment to innovative, quality work on regional issues can help take the institute to a national level."

In 2007, the institute was awarded "Best Web Site" and received the "Best Abstracts and Other Data Publications" honor for its Policy Brief series, a periodic publication that informs regional issues with timely, reliable data and analysis. AUBER also presents awards for Magazines and Journals, and Special Studies, Technical or Contract Reports.

A major research and public policy unit of the University at Buffalo, 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, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. 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.