Kenneth B. Poland

Hometown: Ava, Ohio

Undergraduate Institution and Major:
B.S. in Environmental Science; Geology Minor – Muskingum University

Graduate Institution and Major:
M.P.A. – The Ohio State University
M.S. in Environment and Natural Resources – The Ohio State University

Research Interests:

Ken’s research focuses on collaborative governance in complex institutional settings; collaborative governance is a strategy that public managers – and other cross-sector leaders – can use to resolve disputes, generate public policy, or coordinate resources to implement a public project. Though collaborative governance processes (CGPs) may vary in specifics, they can prove a useful tool for addressing policy problems in complex, interconnected settings with
several actors. In general, CGPs are intended to fulfill a public purpose; involve multiple sectors; encourage representation, inclusivity, and a sense of belonging; and emphasize deliberation, balanced power, and shared decision making.

Research in this area often focuses on specific practices that build capacity, trust, and knowledge among collaborators – ultimately aiming to produce better, more durable policy outcomes. Collaborative governance provides a useful analytical lens across a variety of policy domains. A few of the domains represented in Ken’s research include local water service provision, nonpoint source pollution abatement, regional workforce development, and international research and innovation flows.

Professional Experience:

• Instructor of Record – Public Management, Glenn College of Public Affairs, 2022 - 2023
• Instructor of Record – Public Policy Analysis, Glenn College of Public Affairs, 2022 – 2023
• Teaching Assistant – Glenn College of Public Affairs, 2019 – 2021
• Environmental Resources Specialist – WV Dept. of Environmental Protection, 2013 – 2017

Professional Service Activities:

• Citizen Lobbyist, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Various Locations, 2013 – 2019

Work in Progress:

• E. Hill and K. Poland. Labor as a Common Pool Resource: Governing Sector-led Regional Manufacturing Workforce Training.
• K. Poland and H. Yi. The Limits of Homophily: A Transaction Cost Approach to Analyzing Interjurisdictional Agreement Networks.
• K. Poland and R. Berardo. Learning in the Ecology of Games.