Study of Critical Issues

Perry Fund

As a dynamic metropolitan research institution, Old Dominion University has a significant role to play in determining the quality of life for citizens of Hampton Roads, outlying regions and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Among our research and teaching faculty and their graduate students, our center and institute directors and our administration, ODU has a vast reservoir of expertise that can be applied to solving critical issues. The university committed to identifying problems and finding solutions. The Perry Fund for the Study of Critical Issues supports the study of critical issues affecting the citizens of Hampton Roads, outlying regions and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Current Projects Benefitting from the Fund

For the second straight year, researchers from ODU's Social Science and Research Center (SSRC) will conduct a comprehensive telephone survey of 700 Hampton Roads residents to gauge perceptions and attitudes regarding a variety of local issues. The 2011 "Life in Hampton Roads" survey, which includes a broad scope of questions about the media, arts, transportation, politics, education and overall quality of life, will be conducted from the end of May through July. Funded by the ODU Office of Research and the Office of Community Engagement, the random-sample survey is planned to be conducted on an annual basis to provide the community and ODU faculty access to data to assist in their own research.