Summary
George Mason University’s Center for Social Science Research (CSSR) is committed to conducting publicly engaged social research that can promote social justice and inform equitable social policy. Housed within the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, the CSSR builds on a long tradition of social science research for the public good. At its center are thematic research hubs focused on quantitative, qualitative, community-engaged research, and program evaluation.
Amy Best is the director of the Center for Social Science Research.
OnAir Post: CSSR – Center for Social Science Research
About
Source: Website
Our Priorities:
- Creatively marshal social science research for problem-solving ends.
- Strengthen civil society by supporting research initiatives that serve the public, build sustainable communities, and promote dignified lives.
- Promote interdisciplinary engagements among scholars and practitioners to respond to deep challenges confronting local and global communities.
- Draw stakeholders beyond the university and equitably engage a diversity of perspectives and expertise to build community capacity through social science knowledge.
- Support students seeking careers in the social sciences through professional development programming.
Our Research Hubs:
- Education & Health Research Hub
- Global South Collective Research Hub
- The Movement Engaged Research Hub
- Urban Research Hub
Our Initiatives:
- Democratizing NOVA
- Revolutionizing Research for Social Change Workshop
- Social Science Research Lab
- Youth Research Council
- Next System Studies
Web Links
Research Hubs
What is a research hub?
Central to the vision of the Center for Social Science Research (CSSR), research hubs are organized based on core areas of research specialization. In these hubs, faculty, students and alumni have opportunity to pursue individual research and conduct collaborative research projects, network, workshop current work, and engage in open dialogue. Currently, the research hubs include Education & Health, Global South, Movement Engaged and Urban.
How can students get involved?
We envision the CSSR hubs as opportunities for students to work directly with faculty on research projects in fields related to their theses and dissertations. Students hone skills in different research methods, learn about the process of grant writing, and conducting ethical and effective social science research, while also developing expertise and knowledge in substantive fields in the social sciences.
How can alumni get involved?
Many of our students and alumni work in public or private research organizations in DC and beyond. CSSR research hubs are spaces to form a durable student/alumni/faculty network, link academic and applied sociology, support resilient community organizations, enhance students’ and alumni early-career professional development, and further our commitment to public social science. Sociology Ph.D. alumni may request to affiliate with CSSR to support research and professional development.
Initiatives
- Creatively marshal social science research for problem-solving ends
- Strengthen civil society by supporting research initiatives that serve the public, build sustainable communities, and promote dignified lives
- Promote interdisciplinary engagements among scholars and practitioners to respond to deep challenges confronting local and global communities
- Draw stakeholders beyond the university and equitably engage a diversity of perspectives and expertise to build community capacity through social science knowledge
- Support students seeking careers in the social sciences through professional development programming.
Our Initiatives:
