Dr. Stephen Gasteyer receives USDA grant to study rural water, sewer infrastructure

December 9, 2021

MSU Sociology Associate Professor was awarded two research grants this week. 

The first is a National Institute of Food & Agriculture/USDA worth $650,000 for Dr. Gasteyer's project "Understanding the Link between Water Infrastructure & Economic Development in Rural America."

 This project will explore the impact of rural water and sanitation infrastructure on rural community economic development.

The second grant is through the Lansing Regional Sister Cities Commission. This funding of $26,000 will continue the pilot initiative "Fostering Diversity in Greater Lansing - An Inter-School Youth Led Initiative."

The goal is to facilitate implement youth diversity programming in collaboration with the LRCC's Youth Advisory Committee.

Dr.Gasteyer's research focuses on community development, environmental justice, and the political ecology of landscape change, with specific attention food, energy, water, and public health. Recent research has addressed the food access and impacts urban greening in small US cities, alternative energy and community action, environmental equity in access to water and sanitation, and water governance.