The Loak Institute works to make science and technology more responsive to social and environmental concerns by expanding opportunities for grassroots, public-interest group, everyday citizen, and worker involvement in vital facets of science and technology decision making.

MIRA funding provided support to enhance the rural components of Loka's nationwide Community Research Network (CRN). The CRN provides grassroots organizations access to research that helps them solve problems, participate in public policy decisions and effect constructive social change.

Rose Ryan, Jill Chopyak and Dick Selove of the Loka Institute at a MIRA-related conference

Included among their achievements:

• Enhancing the visibility and legitimacy of community-based research by generating media attention over the publication of its 18 month study of the state of community based research in the U.S., and engaging in numerous public discussions on that issue
  
  
• Establishment of the CRN Internet Listserv (CRN-List) which serves as a forum for grant announcements, conference postings, and general discussion of subjects related to community-based research
  

  Miguel Guajardo of the South Texas MIRA team at a Loka hosted event

  
  
• Seeking out and recruiting for membership other
  community research organizations
  
  
• Planning for the first annual CRN conference
  

• Overhaul of the Loka web site
  
  
• Enhancement of the CRN web-based database
  
  
• Launch of two new community research centers.