Lydia Wileden

Lydia Wileden is an Assistant Research Professor at the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy (IMRP) within the University of Connecticut's School of Public Policy. She holds a PhD in Sociology and Public Policy from the University of Michigan and previously served as a Postdoctoral Scholar at the Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation at the University of Chicago. Her research explores the disconnect between residents' perceptions of neighborhoods and how researchers/governments quantitatively measure these spaces.

• Education:
• PhD in Sociology and Public Policy, University of Michigan
• Postdoctoral Training: Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation, University of Chicago

Her work focuses on neighborhood reputation, public space utilization during crises (e.g., COVID-19), and the methodological challenges in urban measurement. Projects include the Chicago Neighborhood Project and Detroit Metro Area Communities Study, emphasizing how subjective community experiences intersect with policy-making frameworks.

No formal awards or grants are listed in the provided text, though her ongoing research collaborations suggest active engagement in urban innovation networks.