The Social Science Research Institute
The Social Science Research Institute (SSRI) fosters novel, interdisciplinary research in the social and behavioral sciences that addresses critical human and social problems at the local, national and international levels by bringing together researchers from different disciplines around emerging areas of study and by providing consultation, financial support and shared infrastructure and services to social and behavioral scientists. Housed within the Office of the Vice President for Research, the institute is one of seven university-wide research Institutes at Penn State.
SSRI Strategic Foci
- Causes and Consequences of Inequality. Investigating the widening gaps in health, education, and resources across the population, with a focus on racial/ethnic minorities, rural populations, children and families, older adults, and other historically or socially disadvantaged groups. Research areas include micro, meso, and macrolevel structural determinants of inequality, and the development of evidence-based practices and policies that promote equity and social justice.
- Human Development and Behavior. Studying how biological, psychosocial, cultural, and environmental factors shape individual human development and behavior across the lifespan.
- Social and Environmental Determinants of Health. Examining how social, political, economic, demographic, environmental and historical factors, as well as health communication and the health care system, affect the health and health behaviors of individuals and populations over the life course.
- Innovative and Data Intensive Research Methods. Developing and using sophisticated approaches to research and study design including cutting-edge methodologies in data collection, integration, modeling and analytics, and other innovations to study individuals and populations over time and across space.
- Individual and Community Impact. Fostering partnerships with members of community and policy groups to create, evaluate, and deploy research. This includes translation and dissemination of scientific knowledge.
Primary Strategic Goals
To coalesce multidisciplinary researchers around emerging and innovative areas of study, and to provide consultation, financial support, infrastructure, and services to social and behavioral scientists across the Penn State community.
SSRI Long Image Description
This image is an infographic for the Social Science Research Institute (SSRI). It has a blue and white color scheme and is divided into several sections, each highlighting a different area of support SSRI provides: Top Section (Blue background, white text): Title: "Social Science Research Institute" Subtitle: "We support the growth of interdisciplinary research by working with colleges to recruit outstanding faculty, ensure robust research infrastructure, and continue to invest in the interdisciplinary research of our talented faculty and staff." Middle Section (White background): It includes four labeled blocks positioned around a central blue puzzle piece graphic containing four icons: RESEARCH (top left): Text states SSRI supports initiatives like the Population Research Institute, Substance Use Consortium, Child Maltreatment Network, Geroscience and Dementia Prevention Consortium, and the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness. FUNDING (top right): "Core resources tailored to the needs of social and behavioral scientists." RESOURCES (bottom left): Similar to funding, offers "core resources tailored to the needs of social and behavioral scientists." AFFILIATES (bottom right): Refers to the "SSRI Faculty Affiliate Program." Center Graphic: A blue puzzle piece containing four white icons: Microscope (top left) Hand holding a sprouting plant (top right) Handshake (bottom left) Group of people (bottom right) These icons visually represent research, funding, collaboration, and community respectively.
New faculty may want to contact the Social Science Research Institute to:
- Share opportunities and form collaborations with social and behavioral science researchers Links to an external site. and research consortia and centers Links to an external site..
- Learn about how we support faculty through our various funding mechanisms Links to an external site. such as seed grants, faculty fellowships, and special funding
- Discover our shared research infrastructures Links to an external site. that foster innovative research.
- Learn about our Faculty Affiliate Links to an external site. program that engages social and behavioral science research, education, outreach, and other initiatives.
- To join the SSRI listserv, email a request to: L-SSRI-subscribe-request@lists.psu.edu.
Top 5 Items Faculty Should Know About OPAIR
Additional Resources and Contact Information
Resources
- SSRI Website Links to an external site.
- Send an email request to join the SSRI bi-weekly newsletter
- SSRI Events Calendar Links to an external site.
SSRI Contact Information
ssri-info@psu.edu
114 Henderson Building