Ronald Applegate

Overview

In addition to the foundational course in U.S labor history, Ron teaches courses on the history of U.S. economic development and contemporary innovations in community-based development. His research interest in the theory and practice of economic development, with a particular emphasis on collective action to establish inclusive governance and generate equitable outcomes, is rooted in prior work experience: coordinating community development programs for the Coalition for a Better Acre (Lowell, Massachusetts) and the Over-the-Rhine Housing Network (Cincinnati, Ohio). In his current capacity as the faculty advisor to ILR’s High Road Fellowship program, Ron has collaborated with ILR faculty in Buffalo to create courses designed to envelop students’ participation in engaged learning: both preparing students for their community immersion and deepening their critical reflections after their experience.

Publications

Journal Articles

• Lou Jean Fleron, Ronald Applegate. 2004. Building a Two-Lane High Road: Unions and Economic Development in Western New York, Perspectives on Work . 8(1):10-12.

Book Chapters

• Ronald Applegate. 2007. “Organizing for Equitable Economic Development: The Significance of Community Empowerment Organizations for Unions. in Labor in the New Urban Battlegrounds: Local Solidarity in a Global Economy . Ithaca, NY, United States: Cornell University Press, 2007. Lowell Turner and Daniel B. Cornfield. (53-72)

Professional Activities

• “Neoclassical Economics and the Reconceptualization of Economic Governance: Lessons from the 1930s” . Presented to Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics . Paris, France. 2009.
• “Making It Last: The Importance of Building Durable Community Development Institutions” . Presented to Cornell ILR Extension and Outreach . Buffalo, NY. 2007.

### Areas of Expertise

Coalition building

Community problem solving

Economic Development

Inclusive organizations