<div class="content-body"><p>Matt Ruther is an Assistant Professor of Urban and Public Affairs and the Director of the Kentucky State Data Center.&nbsp; He received his PhD in Demography from the University of Pennsylvania in 2012.&nbsp; His research focuses on the estimation of populations for small areas, the spatial distribution of populations, and the incorporation of spatial methodologies into the study of social and demographic processes. His substantive interests include immigration and domestic migration, neighborhood growth and change, and crime policy and analysis. Professor Ruther’s work has been published in <em>Demographic Research</em>, <em>Applied Geography</em>, and <em>Urban Studies</em>.</p><p>As the Director of the Kentucky State Data Center, Matt hopes to establish research collaborations with other departments at the University, and to expand the profile of the Center both within the region and within the state.</p></div>