Institute for Social Research

As the world’s largest academic social science survey and research organization, the Institute for Social Research (ISR) is a leader in developing and applying new social science methods and is committed to educating the next generation of social scientists.

News & Events

Awareness gap: Teens underestimate fentanyl threat

Opioid Crisis Concept: High angle view of a prescription bottled filled with pills surrounded by more of the same tablets.
Most U.S. eighth graders underestimate the dangers of fentanyl use, according to a new University of Michigan study.  More than half, about 52%, did not believe that experimental use of fentanyl—a man-made opioid that can be more than 50 times stronger than heroin—carried a high level of danger, highlighting a critical gap in awareness that could increase overdose deaths among adolescents. Learn more about Awareness gap: Teens underestimate fentanyl threat >

July 17, 2026

Vincent Hutchings named a U-M Distinguished University Professor

ANN ARBOR — The University of Michigan board of regents has named Vincent L. Hutchings a Distinguished University… >>

July 15, 2026

Loneliness is making people sick. Doctors can’t cure it alone

ANN ARBOR—While loneliness has been shown to harm one’s health, framing it as a health issue shifts responsibility… >>

July 9, 2026

Shinobu Kitayama to serve as next director of RCGD

ANN ARBOR — Shinobu Kitayama will serve as the next director of the Institute for Social Research’s (ISR)… >>
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ISR Insights Speaker Series

ISR Insights Speaker Series

Discover groundbreaking research on timely social issues at the ISR Insights Speaker Series. Join us as ISR researchers take the stage to share their insights in captivating talks.

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Research

ISR serves as a national laboratory advancing understanding of human behavior through empirical research. More than 300 scientists are affiliated with one or more of our research centers. Their work provides the foundation for the Institute’s legacy of social science in the public interest.

Yan Chen

Yan Chen

DANIEL KAHNEMAN COLLEGIATE PROFESSOR OF INFORMATION, PROFESSOR OF...

Meghan O'Neil

Meghan O'Neil

ADJUNCT ASSISTANT RESEARCH SCIENTIST, POPULATION STUDIES CENTER, INSTITUTE...

Donovan Maust

Donovan Maust

WILLIARD C BLACKNEY JR AND GERALDINE LATENDRESSE BLACKNEY RESEARCH...

Patricia A Reuter-Lorenz

Patricia A Reuter-Lorenz

MICHAEL I POSNER COLLEGIATE PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE,...

Michael G Mueller-Smith

Michael G Mueller-Smith

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS, COLLEGE OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND THE...

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Training & Opportunities

ISR is committed to training the next generation of social scientists, and to providing the highest quality continuing education to professionals working in the fields of survey research and data analysis.

Organizational Projects

  • Strong, impactful social science research requires diverse cadres of scholars who can fully engage in all aspects of the research process.
  • The high quality social science at ISR requires teams composed of staff and faculty whose contributions are understood to be equally valuable.
  • We believe in a responsibility to share social science research resources broadly with scholars who are members of groups that are underrepresented in academic research.
Maggie Hicken with the interns

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