Building Research that Works

Our Vision

The Urban Equity Institute is a social science think tank and research firm that solves the world's most pressing social issues through human ingenuity, inquiry, and iterative research. This begins with incisive inquiry, analysis, and creative critical thinking.

We mobilize critical humanities, policy research, social sciences, and urban studies to solve urgent public issues. Our work is 100% human-driven and human-centered. We publish diverse and open-ended social science scholarship to make knowledge deliver an impact. We partner with local groups to develop social impact solutions to address their most pressing challenges. We work in underserved areas and mobilize rigorous policy research to fulfill our mission. The Urban Equity Institute systematically addresses urgent and evolving social issues that challenge our world today.

UEI SCOPE: Cutting-Edge, Public Research

SCOPE is our open-access, peer-reviewed, and edited journal dedicated to publishing frontier scholarship. We review submissions within concrete departments of the academy as well as interdisciplinary work from scholars and students around the world, at all stages of their careers. Alongside external authors, our Research Analysts, Associates, and Columnists collaborate to produce in-depth reports and insightful commentary at SCOPE, from political theory and government to art history and anthropology.

The Urban Equity Institute believes that social research can transform how institutions deliver their services to the public. That's why we created UEI STUDIES— to acknowledge the transformative power of our research methodologies. We develop impact assessments, market surveys, and engagement studies for nonprofits, grantors, foundations, and other NGOs. Through STUDIES, we accelerate change and build long-term resilience in the social sector that goes beyond the research we create.

Our Values

We prioritize nuance and rigor over tenure

Nuance

The courage to propose new avenues of inquiry, to identify pressing social issues beyond the scope of current attention, and the willingness to act on that intuition and acumen.

Precision

The capacity to approach social issues with a surgical mind, to hone in on the most critical elements of a topic and translate findings with clarity and accuracy.

Depth

The insistence to go beyond the surface level of an issue and develop narratives, stories, findings, and conclusions that lie at the very limits of existing scholarship and social research.

Rigor

The commitment to the highest standards of ethical social research and integrity to carry those standards throughout the entire research process, even after completion.

Impact

The belief that research can and must make an impact on the subjects that it explores, to change the world for the better, and to use the tools of research to make the greatest impact for the greatest number of people.

Accountability

The discipline to take responsibility for research outcomes, to be answerable not only to institutions and peers, but to the communities impacted by your work, and—above all—a credo to do no harm.