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Research Overview

Dr. Edward Summers is a public policy scholar and higher education and nonprofit strategist whose research explores the urban governance and economic development, small cities, and the intersection of institutional transformation, equity, and opportunity.

With over two decades of executive leadership across universities, nonprofits, and research centers, his work investigates how policy, education systems, and economic structures can be leveraged to expand access and improve life outcomes—particularly for underserved communities.

His research is grounded in real-world application, blending academic rigor with practitioner insight. As a former university administrator, nonprofit CEO, and public policy advisor, Dr. Summers brings a unique lens to understanding how systems operate—and how they must evolve to better serve today’s diverse society.

Academic Research Areas

Small City Governance and Urban Economic Development

My research examines how small and mid sized cities navigate economic development, governance challenges, and regional competition. I focus on how local leadership, planning decisions, and community identity shape economic resilience and revitalization efforts. Through this work, I aim to develop a theoretical framework for understanding how smaller urban centers evolve, adapt, and assert influence within broader metropolitan systems.

Coalition Building and Public Sector Effectiveness
I also explore the role of cross sector coalitions in advancing public policy and improving institutional outcomes. This line of research investigates how collaboration among government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community groups leads to more effective and equitable solutions to complex challenges. My work highlights the conditions that support sustainable partnerships and examines how coalition building enhances public sector responsiveness and accountability.
Economic &
Workforce
Development
Exploring how institutions, nonprofits, and governments can collaborate to build inclusive talent pipelines, drive regional economic growth, and connect education to employment.
Public Policy
Impact &
Systems Change
Analyzing the effectiveness of local and state policies across sectors such as education, health, housing, and employment—and their implications for community development.
Public
Opinion
Research
Measuring public sentiment on critical issues through polling and focus groups to inform data-driven policymaking and institutional strategy.

Higher Education and Nonprofit Research

Higher Education Strategy &
Innovation
Studying the structures, policies, and practices that influence institutional competitiveness, student outcomes, and long-term sustainability.
Access, Equity,
and the
Public Good
Investigating how race-conscious and race-neutral admissions policies, financial aid structures, and support systems affect historically excluded student populations.
Institutional Collaboration & Shared Services
Evaluating models that foster efficiency and innovation through regional partnerships, consortia, and shared academic services.

Selected Research-Driven Initiatives

The Thinkubator
Founded and led a workforce innovation nonprofit that combined youth education, research, and economic development. Produced Stepping Away from the Brink, a practical guide for higher education leaders navigating complexity and disruption.
Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling & Analysis (LIU)
Relaunched this public opinion research institute, providing policy insights and survey data on public attitudes toward education, governance, and societal issues.
Kelly Adirondack Research Center (Union College)
Directed an interdisciplinary center examining the balance between economic development and environmental conservation, while expanding undergraduate research capacity and community engagement.
Brooklyn Education Innovation Network (BE.IN)
Built a higher education consortium to strengthen industry-academic collaboration, enhance student career pathways, and measure the economic footprint of member institutions.

Methodological Approach

Dr. Summers utilizes mixed methods research that combines qualitative and quantitative techniques. His portfolio includes policy evaluation, community-based research, public polling, strategic assessments, and economic impact studies. His work aims to inform both academic scholarship and organizational decision-making.

Ongoing and Future Work

  • Developing a Philosophical Theory of Small City Economic Development
  • Economic Development in Small Cities: Strategies, Challenges, and the Role of Civic Engagement
  • Developing frameworks that connect education, workforce, and regional growth
  • Expanding scalable models for HBCU, HSI, and MSI resilience and innovation
  • Integrating mental health policy and wellness into strategic education and nonprofit planning