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Posted: September 8, 2025 by Esther Morgan-Ellis

Esther Morgan-Ellis is a Professor of Music and the Assistant Director of the Georgia Appalachian Studies Center

The Georgia Appalachian Studies Center is pleased to announce its new Appalachian Research Bureau, which will offer support to ÌìÃÀÉçÇø faculty, students, and community members at all stages of research, from identifying a project through to publication. Our mission is to make Appalachian Studies research possible for anyone with an interest and to help budding researchers get their findings out into the public sphere. But what is Appalachian Studies research?

Appalachian Studies is dedicated to understanding the people and places of the Appalachian region, which spans from Mississippi to New York. As such, it intersects with every field of inquiry. Appalachian Studies research can be rooted in archival, sociological, arts-based, or scientific methodologies. It might examine the lives of people who live in the region now, who lived here in the past, or who live in other places as part of the Appalachian diaspora. It might document the plants, animals, and geological features of the region. It might examine economies, government policies, health outcomes, incarceration, or any other aspect of Appalachians' lived experiences. It is often community engaged and focused on improving quality of life in Appalachia.

The Appalachian Research Bureau is here to provide expert guidance whether you need help identifying a topic, tracking down primary sources, writing a grant, drafting a research report, preparing a presentation, or getting your work published. We are delighted to work with researchers of all experience levels and across all fields. We can step in to help at just one stage (e.g., provide editorial feedback on a draft manuscript) or we can accompany you throughout a research journey.

The Appalachian Research Bureau also facilitates collaborative projects that bring together students, community members, and experienced researchers. Do you have an idea for a collaborative undertaking? Need help designing a collaborative project for your students? Or do you just want to be involved? Get in touch to see what is possible!

We invite faculty to send their students our way! Anyone interested in connecting with the Appalachian Research Bureau can fill out a simple form:

We look forward to hearing from you!