In an era of ubiquitous digital communication, uneven democratic participation, and heightened polarization, understanding the dynamic relationship between technology and politics is more important than ever.

Building bridges between the social and natural sciences, researchers and practitioners, and world regions, our programs investigate the global and local effects of pressing issues such as disease outbreaks and public health misinformation.

Inequality—both in society at large and within the academy itself—remains an urgent issue. Council programs bring innovative social science analysis to bear on our understanding of the roots and consequences of unequal participation in political, economic, and social systems across the globe.

We catalyze collaboration among scholars and institutions across world regions, promoting research at the intersection of “place-based knowledge” and global issues that shape communities, nation-states, and the world.