Strengthened by the individual and collaborative contributions of economists and sociologists, the department excels in research, teaching and outreach focusing in four interrelated areas.
Research on the functioning and sustainability of agricultural and the food system. Faculty, students, and staff explore food choices and health outcomes, and opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation.
Investigation of the relationships between economic and social systems with the natural world. Research focuses on issues related to water quality, land uses, and climate change.
Applied research that builds community agency, civic engagement, citizen ownership of decision making, empowerment, and a range of outreach/extension initiatives. Efforts are both domestic and international.
Research on migration and immigration, health, and material well-being of individuals and households across the world. This work is conducted at different scales and in contexts that range from United States to abroad.
