Mission
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.
We strive to plan and conduct rigorous social science research, disseminate the findings of this research, and train future generations of social scientists:
- To plan and conduct rigorous social science research
- To disseminate the findings of this research, and
- To train future generations of social scientists.

Leadership
ISR Director Kate Cagney leads the overall strategy and research operation at ISR.
ISR’s Managing Director and administrative leaders play a crucial role in shaping the institute’s research agenda, securing funding, promoting its work, and building a strong community of researchers.

“…teach others to be mentors and plan for how the next generation will bring others along at every career stage.”
Faculty Profiles
ISR’s faculty experts conduct groundbreaking and wide ranging social science research — representing more than 20 academic disciplines.

Robin Tepper Jacob
RESEARCH PROFESSOR, SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND RESEARCH PROFESSOR, SURVEY RESEARCH CENTER, INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH
Robin Tepper Jacob is a Research Professor at the Institute for Social Research’s Survey Research Center and the…

Thomas Fraser Crossley
RESEARCH PROFESSOR, SURVEY RESEARCH CENTER, INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH
Thomas (Tom) Crossley is Research Professor and Director of the Panel Study for Income Dynamics (PSID). Professor Crossley’s…

Meagan Ashley Docherty
ADJUNCT FACULTY ASSOCIATE, RESEARCH CENTER FOR GROUP DYNAMICS AND ASSISTANT RESEARCH SCIENTIST, RESEARCH CENTER FOR GROUP DYNAMICS, INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH
Research Interests: The development of problem behaviors, including aggression and violence, from childhood to young adulthood Coping and…

Roseanna C Sommers
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF LAW, LAW SCHOOL AND FACULTY ASSOCIATE, RESEARCH CENTER FOR GROUP DYNAMICS, INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH
Professor Roseanna Sommers’s teaching and research interests revolve around the many ways in which the law misunderstands people…

Our History

ISR is one the world’s largest and oldest academic survey research organizations, and leader in development and application of social science methods and education.

Directory
The Directory contains most ISR faculty and staff; not all employees. If you want to contact a member of the staff whose name is not listed, check for them in the U-M Directory.