University Center for Social and Urban Research
University of Pittsburgh
121 University Place
Room 502
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
(412) 624-3856
email: rbangs@pitt.edu

Dr. Bangs received his PhD in public policy research and analysis from the University of Pittsburgh in 1985; his MPA in public administration from Ohio State University in 1976; and his BA in Political Science from Cleveland State University.

Dr. Bangs has been a Research Associate at the University Center for Social and Urban Research since 1987. During this time, he has also been an Adjunct Faculty member of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh, where he teaches public policy analysis. In 2000, Dr. Bangs became Co-Director of the Urban and Regional Research Program at the University Center for Social and Urban Research.

Dr. Bangs has had a major role in producing more than 40 reports and one book on the Pittsburgh region. These have included:

• Four Benchmarks reports on racial disparities in economic and quality of life conditions in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County and in other large cities and counties

• Six State of the Region reports

• The Basic Living Cost and Living Wage study in 1997 on local poverty conditions

• The book The State of Black Youth in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, which was edited by Ralph Bangs and Major Mason and published in December 1999 by the Urban League of Pittsburgh

• Three “Black Papers” on African American Health in Allegheny County for the Urban League of Pittsburgh

One of Dr. Bangs’ current projects is to study ways to increase contracting with minority and women-owned firms and increase employment of African Americans and women in the Pittsburgh region. This work is part of the three-year One Economy project to improve the economic conditions of African Americans and women in the Pittsburgh region.

In 1997 the YWCA of Pittsburgh gave Dr. Bangs a Racial Justice Award for speaking out on the findings of his Benchmarks reports. Dr. Bangs was also recognized as “Best Researcher” by In Pittsburgh newspaper in March 2000.

Select Publications:

Anthou, C., & Bangs, R. L. (2001). African American and women board members in the Pittsburgh region. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh, University Center for Social and Urban Research.

Bangs, R. L., Kerchis, C. Z., & Weldon, S. L. (1997). Basic living cost and living wage estimates for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh, University Center for Social and Urban Research.

Bangs, R. L., & Mason, M.A., III (Eds.), (1999). The state of black youth in Pittsburgh. Perspectives on young African Americans in the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Urban League of Pittsburgh, Inc.

Bangs, R. L., & Weldon, S. L. (1998). Economic Benchmarks: Indices for the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh, University Center for Social and Urban Research.

Bangs, R. L., & Weldon, S. L. (1999). African American and women board members of economic development organizations in the Pittsburgh region. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh University Center for Social and Urban Research.

Haulk, J., Bangs, R. L., Cassing, S., & Rushen, S. F. (1995). Discretionary spending in Allegheny County. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh, University Center for Social and Urban Research.

Hunte, H., Bangs, R. L., & Thompson, K. (2001). The health status of African Americans in Allegheny County. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh, University Center for Social and Urban Research.

Hunte, H., Bangs, R. L., & Thompson, K. (2001). Sexually transmitted diseases among African Americans in Allegheny County. (2001). Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh, University Center for Social and Urban Research.