RESEARCH PROGRAMS
ISSC provides an intellectual home for research on social change, with a particular focus on structures of inequality and relationships of power. This research places issues of race, gender, and class at the center of the agenda. ISSC’s work capitalizes on Berkeley’s history as the birthplace of transformative social movements as well as California’s unique status as a bellwether for race relations, sexual politics, and socioeconomic divisions.
ISSC is committed to an ethic of interdisciplinary, intergenerational, and inclusive research. Working collectively, researchers draw on a wide range of scholarly perspectives and methods. Faculty join with graduate, professional, and undergraduate students to examine pressing questions of theory, policy, and practice. This work not only advances academic knowledge but also has practical social implications that can enhance the life chances of California’s increasingly diverse population. By doing research with a conscience, ISSC bridges the gap between academic inquiry and community needs.