MSU researcher wins coveted science honor

By Andi Anderson

Craig Carpenter, an assistant professor in the Michigan State University (MSU) Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, has been honored with the 2024 Geoffrey J.D. Hewings Award by the North American Regional Science Council (NARSC).

This award celebrates distinguished contributions to regional science research by early-career scientists.

Presented annually, the Geoffrey J.D. Hewings Award recognizes innovation in regional science disciplines such as economics, geography, and public policy.

Carpenter, the second MSU researcher to receive the award since its inception in 1995, accepted the honor at the 71st Annual North American Meetings of the Regional Science Association International in New Orleans on November 15.

“This award is one of the most prestigious honors for an early career scientist, and I am humbled by this recognition,” Carpenter said. He expressed gratitude to his colleagues and emphasized his dedication to community-based research with a focus on supporting vulnerable populations.

NARSC praised Carpenter’s groundbreaking work in regional economic modeling, minority entrepreneurship, and public policy.

His impressive research funding—nearly $4 million—comes from agencies like the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, and the National Science Foundation.

Carpenter’s research addresses critical issues related to race, ethnicity, veteran status, economic growth, and public policy.

He has published 30 peer-reviewed articles in prestigious journals and over 75 outreach publications. His outreach efforts include a website detailing the history of racially driven housing policies, developed through MSU Extension.

In addition to the Hewings Award, Carpenter received the 2024 National Extension Diversity Award for his team’s work in housing policy education.

This dual recognition highlights his impactful contributions to academia and community development, furthering the mission of MSU AgBioResearch and MSU Extension.

Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu