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EnglishHow to Engage with the Kirwan Institute at The Ohio State University
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You can engage with the Kirwan Institute in four main ways: use its published research, partner with the institute through "Work with us," attend its Kirwan Forum Series events (offered in hybrid format at the institute), and follow its news or sign up for updates. These options come directly from the institute's site, which describes itself as an academic research institute conducting interdisciplinary research in partnership with communities across Ohio and the United States. Which route fits you depends on whether you want to read, collaborate, attend, or simply stay informed.
Start with the research if you want to use Kirwan's work
The institute positions its research as something changemakers and all Ohioans can use to "design a prosperous future." Its stated research topics include:
- Poverty Alleviation
- Sustainable Future-Ready Youth Employment
- Kirwan Innovations
The site says the institute has over 20 years of recognition for research concepts and multi-sector collaborations across 480+ jurisdictions in the United States, including six national projects. It also reports a 60% increase in research projects over the last two years and a 7x increase in Faculty Affiliates over the same period. If your goal is to apply opportunity mapping or related research in your own community, the research section is the place to begin.
A concrete example: the 2024–2025 Ohio Opportunity Index Report
One current output is the 2024–2025 Ohio Urban-Suburban-Rural Opportunity Index Report. The site frames it around a familiar problem: quality affordable housing is hard to find, and it is especially difficult for federal, state, and local housing agencies to incentivize affordable housing developers to build in the locations that need it most. The report is presented as a resource for that challenge. The institute notes that its community-led opportunity mapping approach has been used to explore 48 American states, so readers outside Ohio may still find the methodology relevant.
Partner or collaborate through "Work with us"
The homepage lists "Work with us" alongside "Explore research" and "Make a donation" as primary actions. The institute describes itself as welcoming collaboration among "unlikely partners," which suggests it is open to cross-sector engagement rather than only academic contacts. If you represent a community organization, agency, or research group, use the "Work with us" path to inquire about partnership; the site does not publish specific partnership terms, so expect to start a conversation rather than complete a form-driven process.
Attend the Kirwan Forum Series
The institute hosts a Kirwan Forum Series with events listed as hybrid at the Kirwan Institute, 12 p.m.–2 p.m. ET. Two upcoming examples from the site:
| Date | Speaker | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 22 | Deena Chisolm & Kierra Barnett | Housing and Infant Health: Targeted Investment and Meaningful Engagement (TIME) Study |
| Nov 5 | Natasha Bowen | Countering Stereotype Threat in Classrooms: The Problem with Relying on Psychological Changes in Students |
Because events are hybrid, you can attend remotely or in person at the institute. Check the events page for the full schedule and any changes before planning to attend.
Stay informed through news and updates
The "Latest News" section covers institute activities and people, such as an undergraduate researcher's experience through SROP, a faculty affiliate selected as a Public Impact Research Network Fellow, the institute housing the 2026 Intersectional Qualitative Research Methods Institute (IQRMI), and its 20th anniversary and strategic plan launch. The homepage also invites visitors to sign up to "Keep Up with Kirwan" for news updates. If you are not ready to collaborate or attend, subscribing is the lowest-effort way to follow new reports and events.
Choosing your entry point
- Want to use research now? Go to the research topics and the 2024–2025 Ohio Opportunity Index Report.
- Want to collaborate? Use "Work with us."
- Want to learn in person or online? Register interest in the Kirwan Forum Series events.
- Want to follow along? Browse latest news and sign up for updates.
The site does not state pricing or login requirements for these resources, so confirm any access details on the relevant page rather than assuming they are unrestricted.