Video: Studying Neighborhoods

Whitman College sociology Professor Michelle Janning and sociology and art student Nate Raphael ’19 spent their summer in Walla Walla exploring the social meaning of second homes — like vacation homes and short-term rental properties — by investigating how second homeowners and other stakeholders create the meaning of their homes in context of how the properties are used. Funded through the Louis B. Perry Summer Research Endowment fund, the research focused on themes such as the sharing economy, housing affordability, and changes in how we think of what it means to be a “good neighbor.” Data collection included interviewing dozens of local second homeowners and community stakeholders. Watch the video below to learn more.