2023 Research Achievement Awards
Bill Shobe was among the faculty honored at the fifth annual Research Achievement Awards at the University of Virginia. He was honored for his public impact research in renewable energy.
Research
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Demographics
Delivering practical, policy-oriented analysis of census and demographic data.
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Economics
Examining taxes, economic development, workforce data, and flood resilience.
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Energy
Informing policy through research to facilitate solar development in Virginia.
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Survey Research
Providing full-service survey design, data collection, and report preparation.
Featured
Amid slow population growth, Virginia’s demographic landscape is being transformed
The explosion in remote work during the pandemic and its persistence since then is shaping up to be the most impactful demographic trend since expansion of suburbs and exurbs after World War II. While over the past century most population growth was concentrated within commuting distance of major employment centers, such as Washington DC...
How school enrollment trends have changed in a post-pandemic Virginia
It would be difficult to describe Virginia’s demographic trends over the last few decades without using an adjective similar to disparate or unbalanced. Regional economic trends in Virginia have created a stark income gap and the largest differences in household incomes of any single state in the country. At the same time, many young adults moved away from southern and western Virginia for better opportunities elsewhere, and very few young adults moved to these regions to replace them.
Reducing Impacts on Energy, Water, and Land Systems
This study discusses the role of Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) in minimizing global warming projections and the costs and benefits for energy, land, and water systems.
Mitigating CO2 Emissions from the Organic Chemical and Plastics Industry
This paper advances the Global Change Analysis Model’s (GCAM) portrayal of chemicals to assess a full set of decarbonization options and identify specific actions that the organic chemical sector can take to reduce emissions.
Census 2020 Analysis-Virginia’s Age and Sex Distribution over the Past Decades
Between 2010 and 2020, the population in Virginia increased by over 630,000 people, reaching 8.63 million by 2020. Examining this growth through the lens of age distribution provides interesting insights into the present population structure.
Changing Demographics: Older Adults in Group Quarters
The demographic landscape of Virginia has seen significant changes over the past century, particularly the increase in the older population. While many older adults prefer to stay in their homes and communities, some inevitably transition to long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, and in-patient hospices. This transition occurs when their home environments can no longer support...
The Effects of Seemingly Nonbinding Price Floors
This study constructs a two-period model to show why the price of storable goods (commodities, bankable emissions permits, or currencies) may be determined by a price floor even though the price floor lies below the determined market price.
New Virginia Population Projections for 2030-2050
Even though the future is largely unknown and unpredictable, population projections provide an approximate idea of the expected future population size.
Virginia Beach's Local Election System
A survey of Virginia Beach residents to find out how well represented they feel by their City Council under the new 10-1 election system in terms of the responsiveness, diversity, and accountability of elected representatives.
Virginia Flood Resilience Initiative
This report helps inland areas plan for flood resilience, using geospatial mapping and a flood hazard dashboard to help Virginia communities assess flood risk and preparedness.
National Diabetes Prevention Program Virginia Assessment
A study to assess the National Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Change Programs' (DPP) recruitment, retention, and referral efforts among those with or at risk for diabetes across Virginia.
Regional Economic Impacts of Land Conversions to Solar Production
The report looks at changes in Virginia’s approach to energy regulation in response to House Bill 206 and examines the causes and consequences of insufficient energy impact analyses on energy regulatory measures.
The Defense Industry’s Economic Impact on the Charlottesville Region
This study examines the size, growth, features, and economic impacts of the defense industry on the Charlottesville Region, looking at impact on GDP, employment,, and other economic indicators.