His research focuses on the emergence and diffusion of social innovation across a range of environments, most recently with regard to the entrepreneurial underpinnings of local and regional food systems. With Judith Bronstein, he is currently exploring educational "ecosystems" in the state of Arizona through a framework guided by concepts linked to cooperative interactions in nature. Dr. Mars's research is largely interdisciplinary and has appeared in journals such as the Journal of Higher Education, Minerva, and Organizational Dynamics.