Knee Regulatory Research Center

The Knee Regulatory Research Center is a United States-based academic research center at West Virginia University's John Chambers College of Business and Economics.[1][2][3] Founded in 2016, the Knee Center conducts nonpartisan research on state-level regulation, focusing on labor, healthcare, and regulatory issues.[4][5][6][7]

The Knee Center maintains a national database that documents and tracks the occupational licensing regulations of hundreds of professions across the U.S.[8][9] It also organizes educational panels at academic conferences and prepares research reports for policymakers.[10]

Organization

The Knee Center was established in 2016 at Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania.[11] It was founded to advance research on state-level regulatory policy, particularly in the areas of occupational licensing and economic freedom.[12][13]

In 2021, the Knee Center relocated to West Virginia University to broaden its research efforts and create new programming.[14] It created a publicly available database that provides licensing information on 50 professions across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.[15] The Knee Center introduced the database in a paper for the Journal of Entrepreneurship and Public Policy.[16] In addition to educating non-students, it also provides hand-on opportunities for students interested in economics, public policy, and research.[17]

Leadership

Alicia Plemmons serves as director of the Knee Center, while Drake Thibodaux is assistant director.[18][19] Darwyyn Deyo is director of regulatory frontiers, while Conor Norris is director of labor.[20][21]

Edward Timmons founded the Knee Center.[22][23] He was a professor at the John Chambers College of Business and Economics.[24][25]

References

  1. ^ Pesto, Mark (2018-03-13). "St. Francis center gets new name after couple donates $1M". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  2. ^ Millsap, Adam A. "New Study Finds That Universal Recognition Of Occupational Licenses Increases Employment And Mobility". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  3. ^ Millsap, Adam A. "Occupational Licensing Hurting West Virginia's Economy". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  4. ^ "WVU Foundation | WVU alumna's gifts totaling $2.15M expand support for student research". www.wvuf.org. 2025-05-28. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  5. ^ Hope, Jamie A. (October 14, 2023). "Nearly 1 million Michiganders are subject to occupational licensing laws". Michigan Capitol Confidential. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  6. ^ "Underserved Regions Benefit When NPs Have Full Scope: Study". Medscape. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  7. ^ DeFeo, T. A. (2023-05-02). "House unanimous in repeal of health care certificate of need mandate". The Center Square. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  8. ^ Tuccille, J. D. (2023-03-27). "How bad are your state's occupational licensing requirements?". Reason.com. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  9. ^ Revello, Katherine (2023-11-29). "Study finds CT occupational licensing 30th worst in nation". Connecticut Inside Investigator. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  10. ^ Pesto, Mark (2018-03-13). "St. Francis center gets new name after couple donates $1M". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  11. ^ Benedek, Zach. "CSOR Moving to West Virginia University". Troubadour. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  12. ^ "Appraiser Will Help Expose Occupational Licensing Abuses". Appraisers Blogs. 2022-08-01. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  13. ^ Revello, Katherine (2023-11-29). "Study finds CT occupational licensing 30th worst in nation". Connecticut Inside Investigator. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  14. ^ "West Virginia University welcomes Knee Center for the Study of Occupational Licensing". business.wvu.edu. 2021-10-18. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  15. ^ Post, David Beard, The Dominion (2024-03-23). "One job: 50 hoops; WVU researchers unveil database showing how trade licensing laws vary across nation". Dominion Post. Retrieved 2024-03-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ Post, David Beard, The Dominion (2024-03-23). "One job: 50 hoops; WVU researchers unveil database showing how trade licensing laws vary across nation". Dominion Post. Retrieved 2024-03-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ Pesto, Mark (2018-03-13). "St. Francis center gets new name after couple donates $1M". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  18. ^ "Health Committee Meeting - June 11, 2025". Ohio House of Representatives. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  19. ^ "profile". business.wvu.edu. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  20. ^ "Permissionless innovation or permission to work?". www.nzinitiative.org.nz. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  21. ^ "The Right to Earn a Living: Reforming Occupational Licensing in North Carolina". John Locke Foundation. 2025-03-12. Archived from the original on 2025-06-03. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  22. ^ DeFeo, T. A. (2023-11-21). "Expert: Georgia should alleviate burdensome licensing requirements". The Center Square. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  23. ^ Moseley, Renee (2024-01-11). "Universal Recognition Gaining Popularity in US". GL Solutions. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  24. ^ "'Economics Bites on the Go' features Dr. Edward Timmons – WSU News". news.wichita.edu. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  25. ^ University, West Virginia. "Research shows government regulation of jobs hinders workers and consumers". phys.org. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.