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.
Catherine Thomas
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ORGANIZATIONAL STUDIES, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY, COLLEGE OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND THE ARTS AND FACULTY ASSOCIATE, RESEARCH CENTER FOR GROUP DYNAMICS, INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH
Catherine Thomas, a faculty associate of the Research Center for Group Dynamics, examines the psychology of poverty and…
Stephen M Garcia
ADJUNCT FACULTY ASSOCIATE, RESEARCH CENTER FOR GROUP DYNAMICS, INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH
Stephen Garcia is a social psychologist, and he is an expert on the psychology of competition, the psychology…
George Charles Alter
RESEARCH PROFESSOR EMERITUS OF POPULATION STUDIES CENTER, RESEARCH PROFESSOR EMERITUS OF INTER-UNIVERSITY CONSORTIUM FOR POLITICAL AND SOCIAL RESEARCH, INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH AND PROFESSOR EMERITUS OF HISTORY, COLLEGE OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND THE ARTS
George Alter is Research Professor Emeritus in the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan. His…
Katrina R Ellis
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF SOCIAL WORK, SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF HEALTH BEHAVIOR AND HEALTH EQUITY, SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND FACULTY ASSOCIATE, RESEARCH CENTER FOR GROUP DYNAMICS, INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH
Katrina R. Ellis is an assistant professor at the School of Social Work. Her research interests include family…
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.