Kenan Institute - UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

Kenan Institute's Joseph DeSimone Speaks at IP Strategies Panel

Kenan Institute's director emphasizes importance of partnerships, innovation, and transparency when starting a company as well as opportunities for speeding the transfer of technology. More

Fueling a New Industry

Kenan Institute researchers are helping North Carolina plot a strategic path to a sustainable energy future. More

Opening China’s Markets

UNC-Tsinghua Center promotes U.S.-China trade with research and solutions. More

Shaping Transportation Solutions

Institute researchers assess viability of North Carolina's toll-road finance plan. More

Moving Communities Forward

Rural N.C. town gets assist charting a path to economic growth. More

Aerotropolis: The Way We’ll Live Next

Kenan Institute's John D. Kasarda discusses how airport cities are changing our lives, the subject of his new book

Shaping Student Leaders

Kenan Institute Leadership Fellows build communities for impact More

About Us

About the Institute

Our people, our work and our partners around the world set us apart from other university-based centers.

Meet Frank Kenan

Visionary businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist Frank Hawkins Kenan created the institute.

Making Food Safer

A new analytics tool is helping state agencies respond to food-borne threats.

Revealing Census Trends

Researchers identify six demographic trends that will transform the United States.

Assessing Economic Impact

Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in western North Carolina contributes more than $380 million to the local economy, a new study shows.

Advising Economic Policy

An evaluation of North Carolina’s financial incentives programs reveals ways to make them more effective.

Fueling Innovation

Kenan Institute director Joe DeSimone discusses why he champions innovation to solve global challenges on Good to Great, an interview with UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Emeritus James Moeser.

Linking Global Communities

Asia Society President and CEO Vishakha Desai talks about the state of U.S.-Asia relations, what the rise of China and India will mean for our world and what universities can contribute.

Re-inventing Public Education

Kenan Institute urban scholar Jim Johnson describes strategies for educating children from high-poverty areas.

Shaping Fiscal Solutions

Kenan Institute goes One-on-One with capital strategist Mark Yusko

Supporting High-growth Companies

Geomagic CEO and Kenan Institute board member Ping Fu talks about promoting job creation.

Celebrate Life. Embrace Diversity. Question Everything. The ABCs of Life platter in the Kenan Institute lobby – a gift from the director’s wife – speaks to the values he holds dear.