Wilder Research Topics

Topics That Matter

Wilder Research conducts studies in areas that affect the quality of life for people and communities. By examining issues, trends and the effectiveness of programs and services, we provide credible information that can be used to inform strategies and action to improve lives.

Areas of Research

Community Safety and Criminal Justice
Our community safety and criminal justice work focuses on programs, policies, and systems that address community safety, violence prevention and early intervention, criminal behavior intervention and diversion, and support for victims of crime.
Early Childhood and Children
Our work provides a picture of how children, youth and families in Minnesota are faring, with a special focus on low-income families.
Education and Youth Development
We study opportunity and achievement gaps for low-income students, students of color, students whose primary language is not English, and first-generation college students.
Public Health and Health Care
We study prevention, treatment and causes of poor health, including community assessments of healthy behaviors, needs and services, and evaluations of programs and initiatives addressing health concerns.
Housing and Homelessness
Our triennial statewide study provides the most current and comprehensive information and data on homelessness in Minnesota.
Mental Health
Our work identifies factors that affect mental health, especially in low-income and immigrant populations, and evaluating programs and services to assist children and adults with mental health issues.
Older Adults and Aging
We study support systems and their capacity to meet the needs of Minnesota’s growing population of older adults, funding sources and priorities, and what older adults, caregivers, service providers, and aging experts say about current and future needs.
Substance Use
We work across the substance use continuum, from prevention to treatment to recovery, we explore what works for programs and services.

Featured Research

A mother in a graduation gown holds a baby wearing a graduation cap.

Academic Outcomes of Undergraduate Student Parents

Results from this analysis suggest that undergraduate student parents who interact with the U of M's Student Parent Help Center staff and access its referrals and programs are significantly more likely to graduate, remain enrolled each semester, and have a higher cumulative GPA than student parents who completed a SPHC intake but never used these services. Read the report »
A group of people stand smiling at the camera.

The Role of Health Care in Eliminating Health Inequities in Minnesota

This summary sets a vision for the role health care can play in eliminating health inequities and describes next steps to move the framework into action. Read the report »

Approaches for Equity-Based Funding in the Public Sector

Results of a literature review on equity-based funding allocation approaches used by public entities, with an emphasis on public arts funding. This study was designed to assist the Minnesota State Arts Board in implementing an equity-based approach for funding to under-resourced groups. Read the report »