The Rural Equity Research Advisors (RERA) is composed of academic researchers focusing on rural development issues — with a particular focus on issues impacting rural communities of color. This group convenes to identify gaps, understand and promote current research, and advise/author upcoming briefs.
The RERA was formed in consultation with researchers Brian Dabson and Marjory Givens, who provide ongoing strategic guidance and support.

Building Trust and Visibility Through Community-Based Participatory Research at Rural Minority-Serving Institutions
This research brief explores how rural MSIs and approaches to community-based participatory research can be used to better understand MSIs’ nature and practices.

Using Networks To Build Collaborative And Equitable Food Systems
This brief focuses on local food systems as vehicles for collaboration and racial equity among multiple stakeholders and networks.

Stewardship + Equity: Rooting a New Rural Legacy
Rural and Native communities have been stewarding the land for generations. Many are developing new ways of growing nature and…

Principal Ideas: How Can We Secure Enduring Capital for Equitable Rural Prosperity?
This third in the Thrive Rural Field Perspectives series offers a call to action to restructure and reorient public, private…

Native Nation Building: It Helps Rural America Thrive
This second in the Thrive Rural Field Perspectives series shows that when tribes center sovereignty, Indigenous institutions and culture in…

Rural Development and Rural Health Practices: Trends and Opportunities for Alignment
This first in the Thrive Rural Field Perspective Series describes the main trends and catalysts for change that emerged from…