In the debate over the future of higher education, an erroneous assumption lingers like inverted air pollution over the Salt Lake Valley: that the pinnacle of academic research and its impact on our world is reserved for the ivied halls of elite institutions of higher education, and regional universities should not, or even cannot, influence the commanding heights of the economy with their ideas and experiences.

Yet, within communities like Ogden, the home of Weber State University, lies evidence to the contrary. At Weber State University and similar regional public universities across the nation, a vibrant culture of economic research not only exists but thrives. Our economics research wields an influence far beyond its local confines in Ogden as manifested by references to Weber State economic research in publications like the Wall Street Journal, the Economist and Reason Magazine. It is further evidenced by one faculty member’s longtime appointment as a Brookings Institution senior fellow, and another’s recent Gordon Tullock Prize from the Public Choice Society. This is the untold story of how regional public universities help shape economic discourse at the highest levels, and how dedication to economic research at regional universities serves as an important vehicle for the ideas and experiences of the local people in places like Ogden to influence the economic policies that result from that discourse: the very policies that will serve to shape their futures and the futures of their children.

At the core of regional public universities is a profound connection to their communities. At Weber State, for example, instructors and students are not mere observers of economic trends; they are participants, deeply entrenched in the fabric of the local economy whether through visits to the 25th Street farmers market, a hike on the East Bench or a meeting with a student who works full time (the type of student who would likely never have the opportunity to interact with, and thus influence the ideas of, a research professor at an elite institution). This immersion provides a unique vantage point, one where the challenges and opportunities of the local economy are not just studied but experienced. Such integration with the local community is often entirely absent in Ivy League schools and state flagship schools. Further, students, often reflective of the community’s diverse voices, bring their concerns and curiosities into the classroom, sparking research ideas that resonate with real-world implications.

Conversations with students about their experiences during the pandemic led me to produce research that won the Gordon Tullock Prize. That research was about how price-gouging regulations led to more contagion during the pandemic as it forced people to search for goods that were in shortage. This was a somewhat contrarian idea in elite circles, but the idea was ultimately published in a prestigious journal, Public Choice, placed near other papers produced at prestigious universities, and ultimately won an award for the best paper produced by young scholars. Contrarian ideas like these are often produced at regional schools where a degree of independence from the powers that be is more likely: Economic research from regional schools is more likely to be novel because it is less likely to be motivated by conformity.

The symbiotic relationship between academic inquiry and community engagement, which is only truly available at tight-knit universities like Weber State, gives rise to research that is not only relevant but groundbreaking. It’s not uncommon to see this research featured alongside contributions from globally renowned universities in prestigious academic journals and conferences. In fact, it’s a testament to the interconnectedness of our academic ecosystem that scholars from the most elite institutions frequently cite research originating from regional public universities. This recognition underscores a pivotal truth: The insights derived from the unique perspectives of communities like Ogden are invaluable to our collective understanding of global economic dynamics. Without robust research engagement at regional public universities, one of the key mechanisms that gives people in places like Weber County a voice in high-level policy discussions at state, national and international levels disappears.

Beyond the immediate impact of their research, regional public universities play a critical role in nurturing the next generation of economic leaders. The personalized educational experiences we offer at places like Weber State are catalysts for discovery, where students often find their passion for economic inquiry through one-on-one interactions with dedicated faculty. Such an environment is not merely conducive to learning; it’s transformative, inspiring students to pursue cutting-edge ideas they might never have considered.

Consider the story of a recent Weber State graduate, now standing at a crossroads. Accepted to both the University of Chicago and the London School of Economics for graduate studies (both ranked in the top 10 programs in the world), they embody the potential and promise nurtured within the walls of a regional university. Regardless of their ultimate choice, this student will go on to rub elbows with the future leaders and influencers who guide the policy decisions that impact our lives. That student is likely to sit in the halls of an elite school very different from Weber State one day, where they will not only bring the perspective they gained growing up in Ogden and attending Weber State but will continue to be influenced by the pioneering research produced at Weber State and other similar institutions. This particular student is just the most recent in a long line that the Weber State economics department has placed in world-renowned institutions. Whether they go on to lead one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies, enter the leadership of the Federal Reserve or teach the future leaders of our military at the Academy at West Point, Weber State economics graduates go on to shape your world and ours. Our dedication to research shapes us, them and our local communities.

Depending on who you ask, you will find strong feelings that the major risks to support for robust research programs at regional universities come from within the institutions themselves or from outside the institutions. The truth, of course, is that these risks are many and they emerge from without and from within the institutions. Risks from within regional universities vary from a lack of ideological diversity to a shift toward a focus on job training, which often comes at the expense of critical thinking and creativity. Risks from without, which I hope to have alleviated to some degree above, often stem from a misunderstanding of the value of research programs at regional public universities.

Gavin Roberts is an associate professor of economics and the chairperson of economics at Weber State University.

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