Local Government Restructuring Lab

Austin M. Aldag's research agenda focuses broadly on local governments as institutions of social and economic change and inter-governmental relations and inter-municipal cooperation in particular. His work has been published in several public administration journals including, but not limited to, the Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, Public Administration Review, and Publius: The Journal of Federalism. Prior to his graduate studies, Aldag held a summer research fellowship at the University of Maryland where he specialized in survey methodology and foreign direct investment. He has held various local government positions with the cities of Peoria, Bloomington, and East Peoria, Illinois, where he has done everything from investigating sewer lines within historic districts to analyzing public work practices regarding street line painting. Aldag holds a master's of regional planning from Cornell University and a bachelor of arts in political science from Illinois Wesleyan University. When not talking to city managers, combing through local government databases, or reading about transaction costs, you may find Aldag creating the latest LEGO set, playing one of his many board games, or reading the latest science fiction novel.

You can read more about my publications here.