Who We Are

We are a research initiative that works closely with the University, the City of Hartford and its surrounding communities, and the State of Connecticut to facilitate discussions and actions that address mutually determined community needs, and to equip UConn Hartford students with research skills and opportunities to best serve their communities.

Our community outreach and engagement help residents of Hartford and its surrounding communities who want to improve their quality of life through collaborative use of UConn resources specific to urban-related research. RRCRE embraces a broad and inclusive definition of urban topics and aims to bring scholars and researchers together to tackle salient challenges facing today’s cities. Our success is reflected in the increasing number of community partnerships we have established, the communities we serve, and our facilitation of projects that bridge community, students, and research.

As one of the few research organizations with a university-wide focus that is headquartered at a Regional Campus, RRCRE is proud to be a part of UConn Hartford and its mission to make University people and resources more accessible to the surrounding community. RRCRE encompasses a special focus on outreach involving the people and city of Hartford, Connecticut where it is proudly located.

Recent News

Spring 2026 Newsletter

The latest issue of RRCRE's semi-annual newsletter is now available for viewing or downloading as a PDF! Check out our latest batch of announcements and updates by clicking here or on the newsletter icon to the left. If you'd like to receive our newsletter directly, email us at rrcre@uconn.edu and we'll add you to our mailing list.

RRCRE Co-Hosting Community-Engaged Teaching Event: Building Solidarity in Challenging Times

Together with Trinity College's Center for Hartford Engagement in Research, RRCRE proudly co-hosted a community-engaged teaching workshop on Building Solidarity in Challenging Times on November 21st. Led by Dr. Corey Dolgon, a service-learning expert, class and labor scholar, and troubadour, scholars, instructors, and graduate students were encouraged to attend to learn about practical strategies for engaging with community partners and making an impact through their research, coursework, or community-engaged programs. The event took place at UConn Hartford's Innovation Space at 229 Trumbull St and included an open house of the RRCRE workspace. You can learn more at this link.

UConn Hartford TechBridge Program Expands Computer Literacy and Access to Hartford High Schoolers

RRCRE is proud to have a central role in hosting, administering, and obtaining federal NTIA funding for Hartford TechBridge, a multi-pronged program for Hartford high schoolers interested in computer science. Hartford TechBridge aims to equip Hartford students with skills for college and career success by providing resources like laptops, internet access (mobile hotspots), networking opportunities, and coding camps throughout the year. RRCRE's research suite in UConn Hartford's new Community Intersections and Innovation Space in downtown Hartford will provide a well-equipped co-working space for TechBridge students to network with UConn professionals and to learn and practice new skills at their own pace.

RRCRE Assistant Director Co-Presents Research-Based Policy Suggestions to Connecticut General Assembly in Second Annual "Moving Beyond Implications" Conference

RRCRE Invited to Present on Hartford-Centric GIS Project at International Conference

RRCRE Assistant Director Rachel Smith Hale and Director David G. Embrick at the 2024 Urban Transitions Conference

RRCRE was honored to present at the 2024 Urban Transitions conference in Sitges, Spain, sponsored by Elsevier. RRCRE Assistant Director Rachel Smith Hale presented on one of the Initiative's most impactful projects with her talk "The Hartford Love Your Block Project: Using ArcGIS Storymaps to Capture Neighborhood Belonging and Change." The scholarly feedback received on the project will help inform the exciting and expansive next phase of the Love Your Block project, which has received funding from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving for a two-year extension.

UConn Hartford's New Community Intersections and Innovation Space Will Feature New RRCRE Research Suite

As part of UConn Hartford's expansion and deepening investment in the city of Hartford, the University will soon be opening a new 51,000 square foot Community Intersections and Innovation Space adjacent to the downtown XL Center. RRCRE is excited to be a founding 'anchor' tenant of this campus expansion, which will feature several community-focused university research units working together in newly-renovated office, lab, and collaborative spaces.

RRCRE Receives Provost's Inaugural Institutional Transformation Award in Recognition of its Community-Engaged Scholarship

The University of Connecticut's Provost Awards for Excellence in Community-Engaged Scholarship (PAECES) celebrate every year the significant efforts of faculty, staff, students, teams, and community partners who work to address critical community issues through collaborative, mutually beneficial, and creative exchange of knowledge and resources.

This year, RRCRE was honored with PAECES' inaugural Institutional Transformation Award, which honors those who transform UConn’s ability to align instruction, research, practice, and values in service of the common good. Read more about RRCRE and the Institutional Transformation Award in this article from UConn Today!

For more RRCRE news, visit our News page!

Research on Resilient Cities, Racism, and Equity