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.
Katherine Genadek
ADJUNCT RESEARCH ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, INTER-UNIVERSITY CONSORTIUM FOR POLITICAL AND SOCIAL RESEARCH, INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH
Ethan F Kross
PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY, COLLEGE OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND THE ARTS, FACULTY ASSOCIATE, RESEARCH CENTER FOR GROUP DYNAMICS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR MENTAL FITNESS, INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH AND PROFESSOR OF MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONS, STEPHEN M ROSS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Although the emotions we experience usually serve an adaptive function, sometimes they take hold of us in ways…
Karen Emily Nielsen
RESEARCH FELLOW, RESEARCH CENTER FOR GROUP DYNAMICS, INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH
Dr. Nielsen has expertise in multilevel modeling and techniques for modeling time-intensive longitudinal data, including data resulting from…
Pamela Davis-Kean
PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY, COLLEGE OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND THE ARTS, RESEARCH PROFESSOR, SURVEY RESEARCH CENTER, RESEARCH PROFESSOR, RESEARCH CENTER FOR GROUP DYNAMICS, CENTER DIRECTOR, SURVEY RESEARCH CENTER AND FACULTY ASSOCIATE, INTER-UNIVERSITY CONSORTIUM FOR POLITICAL AND SOCIAL RESEARCH, INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH
Dr. Davis-Kean’s research continues to evolve as she seeks the various pathways that socio-economic status (SES) of parents…
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.