Robert Parker

Bob Parker is Director of Strategy at the University of Oregon’s Institute for Policy Research and Engagement (IPRE). Over the last 35 years, Parker has managed more than 400 policy and planning analysis projects with communities and state officials throughout Oregon. IPRE is known widely throughout Oregon as one of the state’s critical policy analysis resources, connecting expertise of University faculty and students with communities and agencies. These relationships, as well as the vast policy analysis experience, help IPRE provide service to communities and organizations throughout Oregon.

Parker is also a principal of the University of Oregon’s Economic Development Center—a partnership with the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration which provides technical assistance and capacity building related to economic and business development to economically distressed Oregon communities. The Center focuses on sustainable economic development in the areas of food and agriculture systems, renewable energy, and green infrastructure. The Center won a national award in 2010 for its market analysis of local food systems in Lane County Oregon and in 2014 for its inventory and assessment of historic theaters in Oregon.