Name: Jason Coupet
Title: Associate Professor of Public Administration, School of Public and International Affairs
Visit Dr. Coupet’s faculty site
Research interests: My primary research interests involve the efficiency and productivity of public service delivery. I work with public agencies, nonprofits, and community service organizations to use data and management science to improve and expand public service delivery, and to find productive ways to partner with each other. I am also interested in expanding opportunities for students, particularly those of color and working-class backgrounds, to learn to use data to improve and expand public services in their communities.
Community partners: I have worked with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Rise Against Hunger, Habitat for Humanity, OneGoal, BottomLine, and the Jimmy V Foundation, among others.
How did you get involved in community work? What I love most about working at NC State is its mission to engage in research that helps improve our lives. It is proudly not an ivory tower institution. There is an active community here that values engaged research and I have been fortunate enough to be offered lots of opportunities to engage in useful research by this community.
What motivates you to engage in community? I am attracted to research that helps people and communities, particularly our most marginalized! Problem solving in public services brought me to the table as a researcher, so I work hard to make sure I am actively translating my published research to the community and public organizations that can use it.
What is your favorite NC town to visit? I do not know if it counts because it is so close, but Durham! Durham is eclectic, progressive, thoughtful, and has great beer and food! Though I live in and love Raleigh, Durham has always been welcoming and fun.