IEN Services

IEN's team conducts community-based research, in addition to law and policy research led by Elizabeth Andrews. 

Our research takes many forms, including:

  • Situation assessments (identifying issues, challenges, opportunities)
  • Stakeholder surveys and analysis
  • Qualitative interviews
  • Focus groups
  • Stakeholder engagement (numerous forms)
  • Community workshops
  • Symposia
  • Collaborative summits
  • Technical advisory groups
  • Collaboratively developed research protocols
  • Issue briefs

Research Spotlight at IEN

Enabling Coastal Resilience in Mean Low Water States: Addressing Challenges to the Use of Public Funds in the Privately-Owned Intertidal Zone

Virginia's status as a "Mean Low Water" state can pose a challenge when attempting to use public funds for resilience projects that encroach upon that space or that benefit private property owners. This paper by Elizabeth Andrews, IEN's Distinguished Law & Policy Fellow, highlights examples of successful resilience projects that have encroached upon the intertidal zone in Virginia, provides case studies of resilience projects conducted in the other MLW states, and offers recommended methods to address challenges in using public funds for shoreline resilience projects in MLW states. 

Facilitating Climate Adaptation: The Resilience Adaptation Feasibility Tool (RAFT) Framework

This paper shares The Resilience Adaptation Feasibility Tool (RAFT) framework and offers an alternate model for advancing resilience and climate adaptation planning that leverages social learning to build consensus around shared values and community priorities. Originally published in Local Development and Society, it was written by Professor Bev Wilson, and IEN's Tanya Denckla Cobb, Elizabeth Andrews, and Sierra Gladfelter.