Roberto Gallardo

Roberto Gallardo is the Vice President for Engagement at Purdue University. The Office of Engagement fosters reciprocal relationships with external partners to address societal challenges by leveraging University resources in teaching, research, and engagement. He is an Agricultural Economics associate professor and holds an electronic and communications engineering undergraduate degree, a master's in economic development, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration. Gallardo has worked with regions and communities—relying on bidirectional engagement—for 20 years conducting local & regional community economic development.

He has authored more than 100 articles and reports including peer-reviewed and news-related regarding trends, socioeconomic analysis, industrial clusters, the digital divide, and leveraging broadband applications for community economic development. He assisted the state of Indiana implement their broadband programs acting as their Next Level Broadband Connections Director for six months and his team played a critical role in developing Indiana’s first digital equity plan. Dr. Gallardo is also working with his team to evaluate the impact of the Economic Development Administration $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) program and is partnering with the Indiana University Public Policy Institute to evaluate the impact of Indiana’s Economic Development Corporation regional economic acceleration and development $500 million program (READI). Lastly, his team has also partnered with the National Science Foundation to develop and implement a regional impact evaluation framework for the agency’s Engines program.

He is the author of the book “Responsive Countryside: The Digital Age & Rural Communities”, which highlights a 21st century community development model that helps rural communities transition to, plan for, and prosper in the digital age. Dr. Gallardo is a TEDx speaker.