The way we interact with the institutions that govern our lives can have a profound effect — look no further than the justified scrutiny of police interactions with the public over the last decade or more. But how do we measure and study those interactions? ISR's Nick Camp explores that process in this episode of The Abstract.

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Alcohol consumption is a complicated topic, but it has some surprising twists and turns, too. Among them, the revelation from ISR researcher Kira Birditt that couples who have similar drinking habits may have stronger relationships and better marriages. But why? In her December 2024 talk at ISR, Birditt explained some of the research behind these phenomena and what it means for alcohol consumption in America.

To view the entire presentation on which this episode was based, click here.

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Why are American politics the way they are? And what are the consequences of political hostility?

Yanna Krupnikov and John Barry Ryan, both of the Institute for Social Research's Center for Political Studies, are diving deep into those and other questions about the realities of American political life. In October 2024, they presented on their findings as a part of ISR's Insights Speaker Series, and on this episode of The Abstract, we take a look at a few of Krupnikov's remarks.

To view the full presentation from which this podcast was excerpted, click here.

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ISR's global impact is large and growing — but how can it be quantified? And what role does ISR play in the ongoing evolution of the social sciences?

Kate Cagney, director of ISR, and Laurie McCauley, the provost of the University of Michigan, explored those topics and many other questions during a fireside chat at ISR's 75th anniversary symposium in October 2024. Moderated by Arthur Lupia, U-M's interim vice president for research and innovation, this chat brings crucial insight to the topics of ISR's past and future impact.

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The Institute for Social Research is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024. In October, ISR held a symposium in honor of the occasion, and Mike Traugott and Grace Noppert played key roles in preparing and leading that event.

Today, Mike and Grace join The Abstract for a discussion about the symposium, ISR's history, and what's next for ISR as we look to the future.

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What can paper wasps teach us about animal communication? A lot more than you might think.

Wasps of all varieties are a fixture of summer life across the United States, but the paper wasp stands out for its unique communication skills. Dr. Elizabeth Tibbetts of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan’s College of Literature, Science, and the Arts explained more about this interesting insect at the Institute for Social Research in January 2024.

Read more from Dr. Tibbetts on her faculty page and on Google Scholar.

View the presentation on which this episode of The Abstract was based here.

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The United States government relies on the strength of its political institutions to govern effectively. But what if Americans lose faith in those institutions?

Many political commentators have argued that the 2020 election gave us the chance to see that question play out, given the actions of Donald Trump and his supporters. But Dr. James Gibson isn't so sure. In the 2024 edition of the Miller-Converse Lecture series, he argues that Americans actually haven't lost much faith in their political institutions, if any.

Read more about Dr. Gibson here.

Watch Dr. Gibson's full presentation here.

Learn more about Dr. Gibson's book here.

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Every story has a beginning, and every story that lasts has something that sets it apart from others like it.

According to Phil Converse, who joined the Institute for Social Research in its early days and went on to become its director, ISR's differentiating factors were evident very early on.

In this archival audio, the fourth director of ISR shares how he came to ISR, what he learned while he was here, and how ISR sets itself apart int he world of social research.

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Political studies have a long and storied history at ISR. The correct prediction of the 1948 outcome in which Harry S. Truman defeated Thomas Dewey, despite many popular opinions to the contrary at the time, was a seminal moment in that research. Since then, political studies have been at the core of ISR's identity, and Warren Miller, the former director of the Center for Political Studies, was a crucial part of that identity.

In the late 90s, Miller spoke with a historian as a part of an oral history compiled for ISR's 50th anniversary. On this episode of The Abstract, we're thrilled to share a part of that interview as Miller explores his early role at ISR and the growth of the Institute throughout the years.

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Interactions with the criminal justice system can mean a lifetime of complications. How can they affect people entering retirement?

Dr. Mike Mueller-Smith of the Institute for Social Research's Population Center addressed that topic in a presentation as a part of ISR's Insights Speaker Series in October 2023. Mueller-Smith, who is also the director of the Criminal Justice Administrative Records System (CJARS), researches how interactions with the justice system affect the American population at different stages and says it's crucial to consider how such interactions could affect the quality of life for an aging country.

Connect with Mike Mueller-Smith at CJARS or via his page on Google Scholar.

View the full presentation on which this episode of the Abstract was based via the ISR YouTube channel.

For more from the Institute for Social Research, visit our website or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or LinkedIn.

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