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Social Science Research Laboratory

WHAT WE DO

We conduct social science research on issues of state, national, and international importance that affect the citizens of Mississippi.

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Social Science Research Laboratory (SSRL)  

Founded in 1995 as a joint enterprise of the UM Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) and Department of Political Science, the Social Science Research Laboratory (SSRL) has extensive experience in

  • research design and methodology,
  • program evaluation,
  • economic development,
  • survey research,
  • needs assessment,
  • advanced econometrics, and
  • market research.

SSRL conducts studies for state and local government agencies, private business and industry, university offices, and faculty members working on grants. It operates on a fee-foe-service basis. Since its inception, the SSRL has conducted more than 20 projects totaling over $3 million.

One current focus is in the area of economic impact studies. The SSRL has used various modeling software to study a wide-range of economic impacts in the state of Mississippi.

SSRL provides excellent opportunities for graduate student training. Graduate students work closely with the SSRL faculty on sponsored research projects.

Our Mission

The Social Science Research Laboratory (SSRL), founded in 1995 by the Department of Political Science and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, merged with the Public Policy Research Center (PPRC) in 1997 and now acts as a research or "implementation" unit of the PPRC.

  • The principal mission of the SSRL is to conduct rigorous social science research on issues of state, national, and international importance that affect the citizens of Mississippi.
  • The SSRL operates on a contract basis in the areas of economic development, needs assessments, program evaluations, survey research, and public policy research as well as for interdisciplinary research in the social sciences.
  • The SSRL conducts studies for state and local government agencies, private business and industry, University offices, and faculty members working on grants.

In the past, the SSRL has also published the Legislative Handbook for the Mississippi State Legislature. SSRL is a subsidiary organization of the Public Policy Research Center of the University of Mississippi.

SSRL Director and Research Associates

Faculty from several departments participate in the research of the SSRL.
Jonathan Winburn

Jonathan Winburn

  • Professor of Political Science and Director of Social Science Research Laboratory
Robert Brown

Robert Brown

  • Professor of Political Science
John Bruce

John Bruce

  • Chair and Associate Professor of Political Science
Joseph Holland

Joseph Holland

  • Associate Professor of Public Policy Leadership
Timothy Nordstrom

Timothy Nordstrom

  • Professor of Political Science

Research Projects

See how SSRL supports efforts to improve the lives of the citizens in Mississippi and beyond.

  • Economic Impact of the University of Mississippi
    • Sponsor: University of Mississippi
  • Economic Impact of the University of Mississippi Medical Center
    • Sponsor: University of Mississippi Medical Center
  • Cost of Business/Living Analysis for the City of Holly Springs, MS
    • Sponsor: Mayor’s Office, City of Holly Springs
  • Economic Impact of Jackson, MS Area Health-Care Providers\
    • Sponsor: Global Strategies Inc.

  • Minority Graduate Education in Mississippi
    • Sponsor: National Science Foundation
  • Survey of Research Environment at Mississippi Universities
    • Sponsor: Mississippi Research Consortium
  • Coahoma Community College Needs Assessment 
    • Sponsor: Coahoma Community College, Clarksdale, Mississippi
  • University of Mississippi Branch Campus Needs Assessment
    • Sponsor: The Ramey Agency, Inc; Jackson, Mississippi

  • Assessment of Elderly Needs for Crime Prevention
    • Sponsor: Mississippi Leadership Council on Aging
  • Mississippi Retirement Communities Survey
    • Sponsor: Aberdeen/Monroe County Chamber of Commerce
  • Older Adults Needs Assessment
    • Sponsors: Mississippi Department of Human Resources, Division of Aging and Adult Services and Mississippi Association of Planning and Development Districts

  • Gender Fairness in Mississippi Courts
    • Sponsor: Administrative Office of the Courts
  • Survey of Small Business Entrepreneurs in Mississippi
    • Sponsor: Mississippi Small Business Development Center
  • Evaluation of the Mississippi Tobacco Pilot Program (Media and Advertising Component)
    • Sponsor: Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi (through subcontract with SSRL)
  • Attitudes Toward the Mississippi State Judicial System
    • Sponsor: Administrative Office of the Courts, Mississippi Supreme Court

  • Mississippi Alliance for Prevention (Evaluation Component)
    • Funding originated from U.S. Department of Health and Human
    • Services, administered: MS Department of Mental Health
  • Survey of Public Attitudes toward Mississippi Judiciary
    • Funded by Mississippi Judicial Advisory Study Committee, Administrative Office of Courts
  • National Validation of Team Nutrition Database
    • Funding originated from U.S. Department of Agriculture,
    • Services, administered: National Food Service Management Institute