11th Annual Advancing Mississippi Conference

University Research Center (URC), a division of Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) is hosting its 11th annual Advancing Mississippi Conference on Friday, September 25, 2026, in Jackson. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to making Mississippi’s future brighter for all citizens. Conference papers should address long-term challenges facing the state. For example, Mississippi faces systemic challenges such as low human capital, low educational attainment, and relatively poor health. Other potential topics include trends in population growth, crime, tax policy and additional issues that may enhance or inhibit economic growth. The goal of the conference is to uncover productive ways to overcome challenges and foster growth in Mississippi, while creating better economic conditions for all Mississippians.

Conference participation is open to researchers at all levels including graduate and undergraduate students, faculty members and researchers not affiliated with a university.  Attendance is free. More information will be provided in August.  

Abstracts will be accepted until  August 10, 2026. To be considered for the conference, abstracts must include a clear research question, data to be used (including sources), a clear discussion of possible policy recommendations and details about how this research can benefit Mississippi’s economic growth. The selection committee will notify the primary author by August 25, 2026, as to whether their paper has been accepted for conference presentation.

Please submit abstracts for the conference to Dr. Sondra Collins at scollins@mississippi.edu using “Conference Abstract” in the subject line.