The University at Buffalo Regional Institute promotes regional progress by building understanding of key policy and governance issues for regions.
With focused analysis of the Buffalo Niagara region, the Regional Institute leverages the resources of the university and binational community to pursue a wide range of scholarship, projects and initiatives that frame regional issues, inform regional decisions and guide regional change.
A major research and public service division of the University at Buffalo, the Regional Institute is a unit of the UB Law School. In addition to university faculty and academic researchers, the institute’s partners include governments, foundations, businesses, civic groups and nonprofits.
Guiding the Regional Institute is a five-person Advisory Council, chaired by R. Nils Olsen, dean of the UB Law School. Other council members are Brian Carter, Dean of the UB School of Architecture and Planning; Marsha S. Henderson, UB Vice President for External Affairs; Gregory Michaelidis, Director of Research and Strategic Analysis, Office of the UB President; and John M. Thomas, Dean of the UB School of Management.
Founded in 1997 as the Institute for Local Governance and Regional Growth by John B. Sheffer II, a former New York State senator and assemblyman, the institute has established itself as a leading resource on regional issues. The vision to promote stronger regions with sound analysis remains an essential foundation as the institute broadens its research scope to the national and international level.