Institute for Social Research

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

As the world’s largest academic social science survey and research organization, the ISR mission is to: (a) plan and conduct rigorous social science research; (b) disseminate the findings of this research; and (c) train future generations of social scientists. Through DEI 2.0, we will address our organizational mission through guiding values that will become indistinguishable from our DEI values. In other words, our organizational values, or the ways in which we address our mission, will approach full alignment with DEI values.

DEI Guiding Philosophy

  • 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.

Supporting Diversity in Scholarship

Visiting scholars

FACULTY

The Visiting Scholars Program provides ISR faculty with funding to host scholars who are underrepresented in the sciences for a one-week visit that introduces them to the ISR scientific and entrepreneurial environment
Learn more about VSP

Graduate Students

RacismLab is a transdisciplinary research collective that draws doctoral students, post-doctoral fellows, and faculty within ISR together to better understand the impact of racism on health and well-being.
Learn more about RacismLab

Promoting Equity Within the Research Community

STAFF

The fund supports the education and training of staff at ISR by providing financial awards to ISR employees who are pursuing an undergraduate degree or master’s degree from an accredited institution.
Learn more about Staff Professional Development Fund Honoring Laurie Staples

Junior Professional Researchers

Recent College Graduates

The Junior Professional Researcher Program allows recent college graduates to work full-time as a research associate, and aims to foster diversity within the realm of social science research.
Learn more about JPR

Sharing Research Resources

Summer Institute

STUDENTS

The Summer Institute in Survey Research Techniques provides a broad overview of the field of survey methodology. Funding is available for students from underrepresented groups who are interested in pursuing graduate school in quantitative social science fields.
Learn more about Funding for Summer Institute in Survey Research Techniques

STUDENTS

The ICPSR Summer Program provides rigorous and comprehensible training in statistics and data analysis. This funding supports participation in the summer program for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Learn more about Funding for ICPSR Summer Program

To view the resources by audience, please go to Faculty, Staff, or Students/Postdocs pages.

DEI Working Groups

Faculty group works on issues related to recruitment and retention of faculty members and work climate. In the first year of DEI 2.0 this group will be focusing on policies to expand the diversity of ISR faculty

Open to all Faculty Members

Staff working group strives to improve work climate and staff recruitment and retention. In the first year of DEI 2.0, this group will focus on increasing feelings of belonging and reduce isolation across ISR

Open to Regular Staff

ICPSR Summer Program

Educational Programs working group focuses on issues related to educational programs at ISR. In the first year of DEI 2.0, this group will focus on programs to facilitate career progression in social science research as well as continue their work to reduce isolation among student groups

Open to Faculty, Postdocs, Regular Staff, and Students

neurodiversity

The purpose of this group is to lead the charge in providing comprehensive accessibility support, specifically targeting the needs of faculty and staff while promoting a culture of professional growth and collaboration among all members.

Open to Faculty and Regular Staff

Community Working Group focuses on making participation barrier-free for all community members. In the first year of DEI 2.0 CWG will focus on policies and practices related to work arrangements and continue their work to make ISR a more inclusive and accessible place to work through their Community Guides program, and Physical Accessibility, Social Justice, and Perspectives sub-committees.

Open to Faculty, Postdocs, Regular Staff, and Students

Download the ISR DEI Strategic Plan (PDF)

Incident Reporting and Resources

This Week in the DEI Office:

February 7, 2025

February is Black History Month! Black History Month began in 1926 when historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson established Negro History Week, choosing February to honor the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. In 1976, it expanded to a month-long observance, with President Gerald Ford urging Americans to recognize Black contributions. Since then, every U.S. president has issued proclamations honoring Black history and achievements.

Explore the official Black History Month website and the Library of Congress guide for more history and resources. For U-M events, visit the Black History Month events calendar.

DEI Events

See all events

Inclusive Research Matters

ISR Inclusive Research Matters Series

DEI Leadership

Maggie Hicken

Margaret T. Hicken

Director, ISR Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Email Maggie

Tara Engholm

Tara Engholm

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Implementation Lead

Email Tara

Email DEI office

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