Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships
We are an undergraduate student research group dedicated to developing evidence-based solutions to Vermont’s pressing state and local policy challenges. Through collaboration with field experts, UVM faculty, and community stakeholders, VPI seeks to empower students to pursue group research and advocacy.

Research Conducted by the VPI Our Work

Rural town

Exploring Council of Governments Policy Vermont

How might Vermont’s fractured system of local government evolve to account for the scale and complexities of modern governance challenges?
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Vermont Data Tool Source Library

How can we encourage and produce a healthy data ecosystem for Vermont that is more organized, accessible, and can inform optimal decision-making?
Scenic Vermont foliage

Methods Assessment of Conservation Valuation

How do we best assess the varied conservation concerns and needs of all Vermonters when attempting to achieve 30x30 and 50x50 conservation goals?

Our Mission

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The Vermont Policy Institute (VPI) is an undergraduate student research group dedicated to developing evidence-based solutions to Vermont’s pressing state and local policy challenges. Through collaboration with field experts, UVM faculty, and community stakeholders, VPI seeks to empower students to pursue group research and advocacy on topics they have vested interests in.

VPI Students pose together after a presentation
Vermont Policy Institute members presenting at the UVM Student Research Conference, Spring 2026

 

Our Model

Our work is conducted in close collaboration with the Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships, which helps connect VPI’s research to ongoing applied projects and community stakeholders across the state. Through this partnership, VPI aims to ensure that student research is both rigorous and directly useful to the organizations working on Vermont’s most important rural and statewide challenges.

 

 

Why VPI?

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At VPI, we seek to introduce students to a highly collaborative and driven community that seeks to equip members with the skills necessary to be successful across all industries. We leverage our connections at UVM to build long-lasting relationships with the research centers, businesses, and community members that make Vermont great. Altogether, VPI teaches you how to boil down large problems into actionable results that make a real difference. This helps equip students with the skills necessary for internships in public policy, consulting, finance, advocacy, public affairs, and so many other fields.  Follow us on Linkedin

Join Us

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News About VPI

Some of Vermont’s Policy Experts Live in Dorm Rooms

UVM students arebig onchangemaking. From local community service efforts to state-wide aid...

Contact
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For more information about VPI, contact Braden Lynn at braden.lynn@uvm.edu.