Government Research Bureau Announces New Executive Director and Expands Reach
Ed Gerrish, Ph.D., associate professor of public administration in the Department of Political Science, was recently named executive director of the GRB.
Gerrish received his Ph.D. in public affairs from Indiana University and focuses his research on public sector performance, management in the public sector, state and local government finance and meta-analysis. He specializes in research methods, public budgeting and finance.
“I’m excited to continue the Government Research Bureau’s proud tradition of providing service to the state of South Dakota and its communities” said Gerrish.
The GRB is part of the Department of Political Science and offers research services for community improvement in South Dakota. Faculty and student researchers conduct policy analysis, strategic planning, community development and program evaluation.
“The Government Research Bureau is committed to helping local and state governments serve their citizens to their best ability,” Gerrish said. “Many faculty members in the department have a practical focus to their research and service, so it makes sense to collaborate with government entities to put our knowledge into practice.”
Undergraduate and graduate students in the political science department can get involved with the GRB and help with data collection, literature reviews and analyses.
“We involve students in various stages of our projects,” said Gerrish. “For instance, students often analyze surveys for local governments, compile reports under faculty guidance and learn to interpret findings. It’s a valuable hands-on experience that applies classroom learning to real-world projects and helps students build their resumes.”
GRB researchers recently completed the highway safety annual report and also led a successful research study that secured a $400,000 grant to address child care needs in the Vermillion community.
“The GRB enables South Dakota to improve its methods and management practices using cutting-edge techniques, while staying within budget,” Gerrish said. “By keeping the money in-state and utilizing the best available practices, we help ensure that South Dakota is providing effective services to its residents.”
You May Also Like
Former U.S. Supreme Court Clerk Brendan Duffy Visits Knudson School of Law
The University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law recently welcomed Brendan Duffy, a distinguished former clerk for the U.S. Supreme Court, who shared his extensive legal experiences with students.
Doctor of Nursing Practice Alumna Uses Degree to Become President and CEO of Avera St. Benedict
Well before Lindsay Weber, DNP ’24, BSN ’07, CNP, became president and CEO of Avera St. Benedict Health Center in Parkston, South Dakota, she already had a solid understanding of the ins and outs of patient care.
.jpg?rev=faeaaf0f8a7248f8becf07704659d88a&w=350&la=en&hash=D05E3F50DB91EF8ECE387831C6C52A48 "a graphic with the headshots of William Mayhan, William C.W. Chen, KC Santosh and Jeffrey S. McGough.")
USD Receives $6.5 Million to Establish South Dakota Biomedical Computation Collaborative
Medical school and computer science faculty members at the University of South Dakota have received a $6.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education that will bolster innovative medical education and biomedical sciences using computation and artificial intelligence (AI), leading to improved clinical practice and patient care for South Dakotans.
