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.

Lindsay H Ryan
ASSOCIATE RESEARCH SCIENTIST, SURVEY RESEARCH CENTER, INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH
Lindsay Ryan is an Associate Research Scientist at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research. She received…

Miles S Kimball
PROFESSOR EMERITUS OF ECONOMICS, COLLEGE OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND THE ARTS AND RESEARCH PROFESSOR EMERITUS, SURVEY RESEARCH CENTER, INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH

Kara Zivin
MARCIA A VALENSTEIN M.D. COLLEGIATE PROFESSOR OF PSYCHIATRY, PROFESSOR OF PSYCHIATRY AND PROFESSOR OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY PROFESSOR, MEDICAL SCHOOL PROFESSOR OF HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND POLICY, SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, AND FACULTY ASSOCIATE, SURVEY RESEARCH CENTER, INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH

Nancy E Burns
WARREN E MILLER COLLEGIATE PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, COLLEGE OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND THE ARTS AND RESEARCH PROFESSOR, CENTER FOR POLITICAL STUDIES, INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH
Professor Burns studies gender, race, political participation, public opinion, and intergovernmental relations in the American context.

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.