As every boomtown learns, growth comes with new challenges, and Nashville is no different. Vanderbilt experts from a variety of fields are available to help explain the issues surrounding our transformation into the latest “it” city.
(Please note: Some experts appear in more than one category.)
Physical Growth
Richard Lloyd, associate professor of sociology, can speak about urban development issues, gentrification and historic preservation.
James Fraser, associate professor of human and organizational development, can discuss sustainability initiatives, housing issues, neighborhood-based community development, urban redevelopment building strategies and potential gentrification issues.
Malcolm Getz, associate professor of economics, can explain issues related to urban growth and development subsidies and may be able to help with issues surrounding local government taxes and public services.
Janey Camp, research assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, can discuss environmental management, water resources, water and wastewater treatment, risk management and infrastructure system adaptation to climate change.
Demographics, Immigration, Employment and Social Issues
Katharine Donato, professor and chair of sociology, can discuss issues related to the lives of immigrants in Nashville and in Tennessee, including immigrant parent involvement in schools, communities and politics, and she has performed population projections for Nashville and counties in Middle Tennessee through 2024.
James Fraser, associate professor of human and organizational development, can talk about issues of urban redevelopment as they pertain to racial equality, income equality and poverty.
Dan Cornfield, professor of sociology, can speak about civil rights, human rights and immigrant rights issues arising from growing diversity in and immigration to Nashville.
Richard Lloyd, associate professor of sociology, can discuss conflicts regarding local mosques, the music industry and the role of the arts in the new urban environment, tourism, the growth of the service sector and the importance of high tech enterprise.
Traffic and Transit
Bob Stammer, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, studies transportation planning, design and operations in both rural and urban settings, for both passenger and freight transportation. He primarily looks at roads but has also studied railroads. Stammer can also comment on driver and pedestrian safety.
Malcolm Getz, associate professor of economics, can speak about transportation issues including congestion, transit design, taxi regulation and other forms of paratransit.
Janey Camp, research assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, is a graduate of the Transit Citizen Leadership Academy of Middle Tennessee and can speak to mass transit issues.
Education
Claire Smrekar, associate professor of leadership, policy and organizations, can discuss the demographic issues that shape public education policies and priorities, as well as the role and function of school choice in attracting new residents to the city, school vouchers and parent priorities.