Lewis studies U.S. urban policy, local and regional governance, and the way people think about public policy. Many of his publications examine urban/suburban land use, housing policy, and local responses to immigration.

Chanley has taught a range graduate and undergraduate courses in the social sciences, with focus on public administration and political science, especially in public policy, women and gender, ethnic and racial studies.

Mughan's research interests include local government finance, fiscal federalism, criminal justice policy, and institutions.

Clanahan's research primarily focuses on regional and intergovernmental planning, rural planning, federal planning, planning law, policy analysis in planning, and community development