Research Centers and Initiatives
The Bloustein School is host to several nationally recognized research centers and collaborative programs, established by the University’s Board of Governors. These specialized centers carry out large-scale projects and are supported by external funding, which maximize the school’s ability to perform in-depth research; extend its activities beyond the classroom through public service; and provide students with the opportunity to develop professional skills and experience.
The school serves as an intellectual focal point at Rutgers University for the examination of societal problems and solutions. Research undertakings are governed by a strong commitment to quality through the use of sound social science theory and methods and to full dissemination of results and peer review of findings. Research is carried out on a wide variety of challenging topics.
Many of these centers offer continuing education and training programs for government officials, nonprofit leaders, and career professionals, enabling the school to broaden its outreach endeavors.
Students at the Bloustein School have the opportunity to conduct hands-on research through appointments as researchers employed by the school’s centers and initiatives in such areas as community development, transportation, health, workforce development, green building and energy policy, and state and municipal government activities.
Featured Research
Andrews Testifies on Need for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Investment in New Jersey
Associate Dean for Research Clinton J. Andrews provided invited testimony before the New Jersey Senate Environment and Energy Committee during a hearing at the Lavallette Municipal Building focused on the need for investment in storm-resilient infrastructure across the state.
Lindenfeld et al. Find Most Patients View Test Results Before the Doctor
Regarding the primary outcome measure, 68.6% of respondents viewed immediately released test results before hearing from their health care practitioner. However 27% only understood the results “fairly well.”
Heldrich Center Publishes Legislative Report on New Jersey’s Teacher Workforce
This report provides a high-level overview of New Jersey’s teacher workforce at the state and district levels. While research in this area is progressing, questions remain about the overall supply and demand of the teaching workforce and about the factors that influence teachers’ decisions to enter or remain in teaching positions.
Prof. Andrews and PhD Candidate Lina Moe: Make Room for Robots
Robot-human interactions are becoming more commonplace in urban spaces. Lina Moe and Clinton Andrews have developed a diagnostic that policymakers can use to find the best existing tools for governance and determine when new ones are needed.
Dr. Ignaccolo Receives Best Dissertation in Planning History Award
The 2026 Anthony Sutcliffe Dissertation Award was given to Dr. Carmelo Ignaccolo, Assistant Professor.
NJSPL Report: Historical Water Bodies, CSO, and Flood Vulnerability in NJ
As urban areas have developed in New Jersey, some water bodies such as ponds, streams, and wetlands have been filled in, developed over, or rerouted through stormwater systems. In some cases, this process may have increased local flooding.


















