Sessions For: Institute for Social Research
Place as Method, Theory, and Responsibility: Rethinking Scientific Inquiry for Complex Social Issues
12 sessions available from October 8, 2026 to October 9, 2026
The challenge: New data and approaches to study complexity in the social world has often been without a concurrent focus on the foundations of scientific inquiry, including complex thinking, broad causal thinking, attention to epistemic lens, and integrating multiple disciplinary approaches. Further, the academic research model, with its resource-segregated networks, discipline-specific training, and short-term productivity metrics, contributes to a fragmented and potentially misleading understanding of the social world. In the second annual ISR Symposium on Complexity in the Social World, we will use ‘place’ as the case study to facilitate discussions on rigorous social science in the public interest.
Using research on place as the case study, discussion topics will include:
Complex thinking about the social worldThe contribution of the humanities the study of the social worldEpistemic lens and research transparencyTheories, frameworks, and the limits of traditional causal inferenceThe draw and danger of cool new dataAddressing the challenges of the academic model of science
Presentations on the science of place will include:
The relational nature of place in population social inequalitiesThe role of history in shaping placeThe racialization of place; the spatialization of racePlace as a neutral and rational driver of social inequalitiesApproaches to testing (causal) ideas around place
Using research on place as the case study, discussion topics will include:
Complex thinking about the social worldThe contribution of the humanities the study of the social worldEpistemic lens and research transparencyTheories, frameworks, and the limits of traditional causal inferenceThe draw and danger of cool new dataAddressing the challenges of the academic model of science
Presentations on the science of place will include:
The relational nature of place in population social inequalitiesThe role of history in shaping placeThe racialization of place; the spatialization of racePlace as a neutral and rational driver of social inequalitiesApproaches to testing (causal) ideas around place
2 sessions available from October 9, 2026 to November 9, 2026
Interested in furthering your education in social research and data science? Join the Michigan Program in Survey and Data Science's informational session to learn more about our PhD program in survey and data science. Led by faculty and current students, you will receive an overview of the field, the program, professional opportunities, and community building.
Want to learn more about our PhD program before the info session? Please read about our doctoral program (https://surveydatascience.isr.umich.edu/education/doctoral-program/).
We hope to see you soon!
Want to learn more about our PhD program before the info session? Please read about our doctoral program (https://surveydatascience.isr.umich.edu/education/doctoral-program/).
We hope to see you soon!
2 sessions available from October 23, 2026 to November 23, 2026
Interested in furthering your education in social research and data science? Join the Michigan Program in Survey and Data Science's informational session to learn more about our master's program in survey and data science. Led by faculty and current students, you will receive an overview of the field, the program, professional opportunities, and community building.
Want to learn more about our master's program before the info session? Please read about our master's program (https://surveydatascience.isr.umich.edu/education/masters-program/).
We hope to see you soon!
Want to learn more about our master's program before the info session? Please read about our master's program (https://surveydatascience.isr.umich.edu/education/masters-program/).
We hope to see you soon!