Our Research Centers



Center for Environmental Policy (CEP)

Center for Environmental Policy (CEP)
Dietrich Earnhart, Director and Professor, Economics

Engaging in the social sciences, engineering studies, and legal studies, this center examines various dimensions of environmental policy.

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Center for Indigenous Research, Science, and Technology (C-FIRST)

Center for Indigenous Research, Science, and Technology (C-FIRST)
Jay T. Johnson, Director and Associate Professor, Geography & Atmospheric Science

The goal of the Center for Indigenous Research, Science, and Technology is to bridge Indigenous and Western sciences, through appropriate principles, protocols, and practices, in order to better understand the conditions of place-based vulnerability and the best strategies to achieve resilience by facilitating Indigenous-led research initiatives. Our vision is to establish an Indigenous science network that emphasizes research activities that contain integrated theory, practice and dissemination through mentoring and community-based partnerships.

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Center for Military, War, and Society Studies

Center for Military, War, and Society Studies
Beth Bailey, Director and Foundation Distinguished Professor Department of History

The Center for Military, War, and Society Studies facilitates essential conversations about – and with – the U.S. military, holding national or international symposia that bring together scholars, policy makers, and members of the armed forces. We foster research on the US military on the KU campus and beyond, supporting scholarship that examines the military not only as an instrument of national defense but also as a central institution in American society.

Center for Science, Technology & Economic Policy (CSTEP)

Center for Science, Technology & Economic Policy (CSTEP)
Donna Ginther, Director and Professor, Economics

State and local economic development, economic impact analysis, economic modeling, and tax research are the major areas of emphasis for C-STEP. C-STEP includes the KU University Center.

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Center for the Study of Injustice (CSI)

Center for the Study of Injustice (CSI)
Hannah Britton, Director and Associate Professor, Political Science, Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies

The Center for the Study of Injustice is an interdisciplinary research center that brings together faculty and students from across KU interested in domestic and international research related to social justice. The Center is dedicated to assisting faculty develop new and existing research programs through grant writing and intellectual exchange. CSI brings together faculty, students, staff, and members of the local community to collaborate on research, teaching, and community-based projects. While the direction of CSI is based on the individual interests of affiliated faculty within IPSR, there are several key initiatives the Center is developing:

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Center for Compassionate & Sustainable Communities

Center for Compassionate & Sustainable Communities
Ward Lyles, Director and Associate Professor of Urban Planning

The Center for Compassionate & Sustainable Communities seeks to engage in basic and applied research, engaged teaching, and translational activities. Our work centers compassionate, just, and sustainable policy, planning, and other community-level action. We aspire to solve grand challenges facing society, including climate change, inequality, and justice.

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Kansas Population Center (KPC)

Kansas Population Center (KPC)
Misty Heggeness, Co-Director and Associate Professor, School of Public Affairs & Administration and Jarron M. Saint Onge, Co-Director and Associate Professor, Sociology

The Kansas Population Center is a new center focused on integrating research in rural demography, big data, and population health for those living in the middle of the country. Our focus is using big data to understand how systems and organizations either help or hinder the health and wellbeing of rural (and rural adjacent) communities.
Center for Research on Education and Work (CREW)
Argun Saatcioglu, Director and Professor of Sociology

CREW aims to advance knowledge about technology's effects on education and work, and to promote equity-focused policies and practices that foster social and economic wellbeing for all. We produce and support research on changes occurring in schools, communities, occupations, and workplaces in a technology-infused society. We seek to inform decision makers and the public at large about ways of maximizing collective benefits of technological change and preventing its potential harm.


Past IPSR Centers


Surveillance Studies Research Center

Surveillance Studies Research Center
William G. Staples, Director and Professor of Sociology




Kansas City Area Education Research Consortium

Kansas City Area Education Research Consortium
Karin Chang, Executive Director



Center for Research on Global Change

Center for Research on Global Change
Joane P. Nagel, Director and University Distinguished Professor, Sociology




Links on this page:

  1. ipsr@ku.edu