About us

The ANU Centre for Social Policy Research (POLIS) research focuses on:

  • The development of social research methods
  • Analysis of social issues and policy
  • Training in social science methods
  • Providing access to social scientific data

POLIS is a joint initiative between the Social Research Centre (SRC), an ANU Enterprise business, and The Australian National University (ANU), established in 2015.

Our objectives

To fulfil its role as a national leader in social research, POLIS will:

  • Build a world-class team of researchers and graduate students in social research methodology, applications and techniques.
  • Develop and validate new and cost-effective data collection methods.
  • Increase the availability and access to secondary data for research across Australia.
  • Produce a more sophisticated Australian skills base via training and educational activities.

Our expertise

Researchers at the ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods come from a range of disciplines including economics, econometrics, political science, psychology, public health, social policy, sociology and statistics.

We have particular expertise in:

  • Quantitative, qualitative and experimental research methodologies
  • Policy analysis and evaluation
  • Public opinion and behaviour measurement
  • Survey design, data collection and analysis
  • Data archiving and management
  • Professional education in social research methods

Our programs

  • The Australian Data Archive
  • Social policy
  • Criminology
  • Evaluations
  • Surveys
  • Policy
  • Centre for Gambling Research
  • Research Methods

POLIS is also responsible for the programs in Criminology, Social Research and Applied Data Analytics.

POLIS also offers executive training in research methods and policy analysis.

The Centre conducts Australia’s premier social science survey research, including the Australian Election Study, World Values Survey and ANU polls.

Download the CSRM brochure (185 KB).