Dr. Merriman is a widely published scholar, award-winning author and recognized authority by sources such as the Wall Street Journal, BBC and The Conference Board. Her research focuses on workforce issues and human capital. She has extensive involvement in the real estate industry and in analyzing real estate trends pertaining to the workforce. Topics currently under study include how communities and cities attract and sustain talent and how community resonance generates human vitality, creativity, prosocial behavior and social capital.