Meredith Adkins, PhD is an Assistant Research Professor at the Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research (I3R), a translational research institute at the University of Arkansas that fosters collaboration to address grand challenges. In this role, Adkins works on use-inspired convergence research projects, employing human centered design and innovation processes. Adkins is the Principal Investigator for Phase 1 and 2 of a National Science Foundation (NSF) Convergence Accelerator Track J Food & Nutrition Security project, where the team is building an AI data analytics technology that will empower more resilient regional food systems, as well as the recipient of other ecosystem building grant awards from funding agencies such as VentureWell.

Adkins has worked at the university for over a decade, previously leading Northwest Arkansas corporate and community engagement. She worked in international development in West Africa prior to joining the University of Arkansas. She continues to be a social connector, bringing industry, social enterprise, non-profit, investor, and government partnerships to the table. She is passionate about societal impact and developing solutions that will support more equitable outcomes and access to technologies for historically underserved communities.

Adkins holds a doctorate in public policy with a specialization in community development from the University of Arkansas (’22), and B.A. (’06) and M.A. (’10) degrees in political science from the University of Colorado and Colorado State University. Her research interests are community reinvestment and development, capital access and impact investing, technology development for rural communities, and economic development more broadly.