Center for Resilient Communities

The CRC is a national leader in collaborative interdisciplinary research focused on the development and application of social-ecological systems science. This is informed by geographical, ecological, landscape, anthropological and systems theories including complex systems and resilience frameworks using a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches.

CRC research is underpinned by a strong record of competitive external research funding, notably through the National Science Foundation (NSF). The CRC supports active research awards though NSF’s Arctic Observation Network (AON) program, the Dynamics of Coupled Natural and Human Systems (CNH) program and the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program.

The CRC’s research programs have produced over 65 peer-reviewed publications and the development of tools that support community resilience, notably the advancement of adaptive capacity indices (ACI) and the genesis and development of the Arctic Water Resources Vulnerability Index (AWRVI). 

The outreach mission of the Center for Resilient Communities is to provide guidance for enhancing the well-being of communities and landscapes in Idaho and the U.S. West. The basis for this is through co-produced knowledge built upon partnerships with communities, and local, state and federal agencies. This includes the integration of place-based knowledge with social-ecological systems approaches for enhancing community resilience through the development of Community-based Observing Networks (CBONs). The Community-based Observing Network for Adaptation and Security in the Bering Sea has been running for eight years as network of Alaskan and Russian Far East communities.

The CRC has built a strong collaboration with the Idaho Rural Partnership (IRP) program through the analysis of the outcomes from the IRP’s 26 community reviews from the last 16 years. Ongoing community-based research has led to the development of adaptive capacity indices (ACI) and in particular the Arctic Water Resources Vulnerability Index (AWRVI). 

CRC’s research and outreach activities leverage connections to several graduate teaching programs to enhance understanding of social-ecological systems, including University of Idaho’s Landscape Architecture program and Department of Design and Environments, where the focus on understanding the built environment is fundamental to resilient approaches in Idaho’s communities and landscapes.

The CRC has been working with the National Science Foundation’s Engineering Directorate and the American Society of Landscape Architects to have Landscape Architecture formally recognized as a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) profession at NSF. The CRC is the lead in developing the Social Ecological Systems Training and Education Program (SESTEP) which provides a mechanism to train managers, professionals and agency personnel at all levels, so that they are better prepared to tackle the complex human and environmental challenges present in natural and built landscapes. 

Lilian Alessa
Professor, Co-director of the Center for Resilient Communities
alessa@uidaho.edu

David Griffith
Community Affiliate
crc@uidaho.edu

Andrew Kliskey
President’s Professor and Co-director of the Center for Resilient Communities, Idaho EPSCoR Director
akliskey@uidaho.edu

Liz Rousseau
Program Coordinator
erousseau@uidaho.edu

James Valentine
Research Associate
valentine@uidaho.edu

Paula Williams
Research Scientist
paulawilliams@uidaho.edu