Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Encyclopedia
The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) is an independent, nonpartisan think tank
and research organization committed to conducting objective, empirical research and offering expert policy analysis
on some of the most pressing issues facing the United States
. These issues include U.S. foreign policy, national security
, the economy
, and public health
. In addition, ISPU has assembled leading experts across multiple disciplines and built a solid reputation as a trusted source for information about American Muslims
and Muslim
communities around the world.
ISPU scholars provide insight into the major debates taking place across the country. They offer context-specific analysis and recommendations to journalist
s, policymakers, and the general public through reports, policy briefs, articles, op-eds and books. ISPU disseminates its publications through a variety of channels and holds regular congressional briefings, policy events and academic conference
s.
ISPU's mission is to provide expert analysis, insight and context to critical issues facing our nation, with an emphasis on those issues related to Muslim communities in the U.S. and abroad.
ISPU was founded by a visionary group of scholars and philanthropists in Detroit, Michigan
in the wake of the tragic September 11, 2001 attacks, a time that generated much commentary about Muslims both in the United States and abroad. Since then, journalists, government officials and the general public have increasingly sought to educate themselves about Muslims; however, the scarcity of reliable data or sound policy analysis has made it difficult to understand Muslim attitudes, institutions, or practices.
The founders of ISPU aimed to fill this major information gap by assembling the most talented experts in the field. The goal was 1) to conduct objective, empirical research
on American Muslims and 2) to provide a fresh perspective and relevant policy analysis on the most critical issues facing the United States.
Today, ISPU is increasingly recognized for its rigorous and in-depth studies, insightful policy briefs, and timely op-ed articles written by widely respected scholars. ISPU publications are disseminated to key stakeholders through policy events, congressional briefings, academic conferences, public events, and the internet
. In May 2010, ISPU opened headquarters in Washington, DC to maximize its impact among policymakers, opinion leaders and government officials.
More information about ISPU can be found at www.ispu.org
In May 2007, Farid Senzai, Fellow and Director of Research at ISPU, made comments at a press conference in Washington, DC at which the Pew Research Center
released a comprehensive survey of Muslim Americans, describing the attitudes, experiences and demographics of the Muslim community. Senzai served as a member of Pew's outside advisory board on this project. In addition ISPU organized the focus group
s that informed the research.
The study was the first ever nationwide survey to attempt to measure rigorously the demographics, attitudes and experiences of Muslim Americans. The survey also contrasts the views of the Muslim population as a whole with those of the U.S. general population, and with the attitudes of Muslims all around the world, including Western Europe
. Finally, findings from the survey make important contributions to the debate over the total size of the Muslim American population.
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
and research organization committed to conducting objective, empirical research and offering expert policy analysis
Policy analysis
Policy analysis is "determining which of various alternative policies will most achieve a given set of goals in light of the relations between the policies and the goals". However, policy analysis can be divided into two major fields. Analysis of policy is analytical and descriptive—i.e., it...
on some of the most pressing issues facing the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. These issues include U.S. foreign policy, national security
National security
National security is the requirement to maintain the survival of the state through the use of economic, diplomacy, power projection and political power. The concept developed mostly in the United States of America after World War II...
, the economy
Economy
An economy consists of the economic system of a country or other area; the labor, capital and land resources; and the manufacturing, trade, distribution, and consumption of goods and services of that area...
, and public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
. In addition, ISPU has assembled leading experts across multiple disciplines and built a solid reputation as a trusted source for information about American Muslims
Islam in the United States
From the 1880s to 1914, several thousand Muslims immigrated to the United States from the Ottoman Empire, and from parts of South Asia; they did not form distinctive settlements, and probably most assimilated into the wider society....
and Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
communities around the world.
ISPU scholars provide insight into the major debates taking place across the country. They offer context-specific analysis and recommendations to journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
s, policymakers, and the general public through reports, policy briefs, articles, op-eds and books. ISPU disseminates its publications through a variety of channels and holds regular congressional briefings, policy events and academic conference
Conference
A conference is a meeting of people who "confer" about a topic.* Academic conference, in science and academia, a formal event where researchers present results, workshops, and other activities....
s.
ISPU's mission is to provide expert analysis, insight and context to critical issues facing our nation, with an emphasis on those issues related to Muslim communities in the U.S. and abroad.
ISPU was founded by a visionary group of scholars and philanthropists in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
in the wake of the tragic September 11, 2001 attacks, a time that generated much commentary about Muslims both in the United States and abroad. Since then, journalists, government officials and the general public have increasingly sought to educate themselves about Muslims; however, the scarcity of reliable data or sound policy analysis has made it difficult to understand Muslim attitudes, institutions, or practices.
The founders of ISPU aimed to fill this major information gap by assembling the most talented experts in the field. The goal was 1) to conduct objective, empirical research
Empirical research
Empirical research is a way of gaining knowledge by means of direct and indirect observation or experience. Empirical evidence can be analyzed quantitatively or qualitatively...
on American Muslims and 2) to provide a fresh perspective and relevant policy analysis on the most critical issues facing the United States.
Today, ISPU is increasingly recognized for its rigorous and in-depth studies, insightful policy briefs, and timely op-ed articles written by widely respected scholars. ISPU publications are disseminated to key stakeholders through policy events, congressional briefings, academic conferences, public events, and the internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
. In May 2010, ISPU opened headquarters in Washington, DC to maximize its impact among policymakers, opinion leaders and government officials.
More information about ISPU can be found at www.ispu.org
Publications
The ISPU produces scholarly publications including reports, policy briefs and op-ed articles. All publications can be found at www.ispu.orgIn May 2007, Farid Senzai, Fellow and Director of Research at ISPU, made comments at a press conference in Washington, DC at which the Pew Research Center
Pew Research Center
The Pew Research Center is an American think tank organization based in Washington, D.C. that provides information on issues, attitudes and trends shaping the United States and the world. The Center and its projects receive funding from The Pew Charitable Trusts. In 1990, Donald S...
released a comprehensive survey of Muslim Americans, describing the attitudes, experiences and demographics of the Muslim community. Senzai served as a member of Pew's outside advisory board on this project. In addition ISPU organized the focus group
Focus group
A focus group is a form of qualitative research in which a group of people are asked about their perceptions, opinions, beliefs and attitudes towards a product, service, concept, advertisement, idea, or packaging...
s that informed the research.
The study was the first ever nationwide survey to attempt to measure rigorously the demographics, attitudes and experiences of Muslim Americans. The survey also contrasts the views of the Muslim population as a whole with those of the U.S. general population, and with the attitudes of Muslims all around the world, including Western Europe
Western Europe
Western Europe is a loose term for the collection of countries in the western most region of the European continents, though this definition is context-dependent and carries cultural and political connotations. One definition describes Western Europe as a geographic entity—the region lying in the...
. Finally, findings from the survey make important contributions to the debate over the total size of the Muslim American population.