Neighborly Engagement Research Lab

As NERLab settles into the summer months, our account may be a little quieter, but our commitment to neighborliness remains as strong as ever.

While you won’t see us posting quite as frequently, we’ll still be keeping up with community events, celebrating local successes, and staying connected with our partners throughout the city of Providence. After all, community engagement isn’t confined to an academic calendar, and neighborliness never takes a summer break.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this past year so meaningful. We look forward to sharing updates along the way and returning this fall ready for another year of learning, collaboration, and community.

Have a wonderful summer, neighbors! ☀️💙

NERLab’s inaugural report is grounded in a simple belief: Research should be done with communities, not about them. 🤝
The Principles and Practices for Neighborly Engagement presented in our report are
resident‑grounded and meant to be usable —
a reflection tool to help institutions assess
engagement and imagine more equitable ways of working together —
as neighbors, with
neighbors.
📄 Read the full report — link in bio

How does neighborly engagement become real in practice?
Our report shares practices along a continuum, showing how engagement can deepen over time:
acknowledgment → communication/presence → local investment → shared
governance/collaboration
📄 Read the full report — link in bio

Our report shares 5 Principles for Neighborly Engagement grounded in Providence residents’ perspectives:
1. Institutional Commitment & Strategic Engagement
2. Shared Leadership & Collaborative Decision‑making
3. Contextual Knowledge of People, History, and Place
4. Leveraging Assets to Promote Access & Inclusion
5. Reflection & Assessment of Impact
📄 Read the full report — link in bio

And finally, we are celebrating the one who started it all with Dr. Carmine Perrotti way back in 2023 as an Undergraduate Research Assistant, Miranda Macaluso (.macaluso).

Miranda’s love for research and belief in the power of community is a gift. You are amazing. Thank you for all the work that you did and that you continue to do 💙

As we continue to spotlight our amazing seniors, you all get to pleasure to hear from Chase Quigley (), who has been a member of NERLab since Fall 2024, and will return as NERLab’s first graduate assistant in Fall 2026.

Community-engaged work is never quite finished, and Chase’s dedication is a testament to that. Thank you for all that you do 💙

As Finals Week begins here at PC, we want to take a minute to highlight our graduating NERLab Seniors and celebrate all of their amazing work both on and off campus over the past 4 years.

First, hear from Zak Henry (.henry_03) about what his experiences in NERLab have meant to him.

We are so grateful for the impact you’ve made, Zak 💙

For our final Spotlight Saturday of the semester, we had to go out with a bang. This week, we’re highlighting , the sister restaurant to the renowned , and one of NERLab’s personal favorites.

Brasa Y Chifa offers a standout fusion of Peruvian rotisserie and Chinese cuisine, bringing bold flavors and unique combinations to the table. Some of their most notable dishes include their fall-off-the-bone ribs, perfectly cooked Picaña steak, and a variety of sides such as plantains and Peruvian Lo Mein.

Their beverage menu features everything from traditional options like Chicha Morada and Inca Cola to cocktails like margaritas and sangria. To finish, their desserts, including Tres Leches cake and churros, provide the perfect ending to the meal.
Make sure to stop by and experience it for yourself!

Location
712 Admiral St. Providence, RI

Hours
Sunday - Thursday
11:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday & Saturday
11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

NERLab was proud to present at the 17th Annual Celebration of Student Scholarship and Creativity! 🎉

Our team had the opportunity to share the work we’ve been developing, exploring how research can strengthen community-campus relationships and deepen our understanding of neighborly engagement.

We were grateful for the chance to contribute, learn from other incredible student researchers, and represent the impact of undergraduate research. Great work everyone!

NERLab had a weekend rooted in community, connection, and action 🤝🌱

Our team had the opportunity to show up, listen, and learn across three incredible events:

Celebrating diversity and community at Culture Fest . Thank you for this amazing and important event! 

Giving back at the annual Smith Hill neighborhood cleanup. We learned all about tree care, witnessed a new tree planting, and had great conversations with neighbors along the way.

Engaging in meaningful dialogue at the Ward 14 Student Housing Task Force meeting.

From celebration to service to civic engagement, this weekend was a powerful reminder of what it means to be active neighbors and thoughtful researchers. We are grateful for the spaces that bring people together—and excited to keep the work going. 💙