“I am especially interested in how changes in the urban spatial structure affect human beings and environment, and the roles of policies and institutions in this process. Dr. Abigail York and Dr. Christopher Boone focuses on the Phoenix urbanization processes, and the center provides me a unique intellectual environment for trans-disciplinary research in institutions.”

– Sainan Zhang, PhD student, School of Sustainability

• pioneer new ways of scientific thinking;
• combine skills and interests from computational and social sciences; and
• participate in active research geared toward solving some of the world’s greatest challenges

Students have the opportunity to engage with the center's core faculty who participate in different degree programs at the graduate and undergraduate level (e.g., Anthropology, Social Science and Health, Global Health, Sustainability, Environmental Social Science, and Applied Mathematics for the Life and Social Sciences). Each semster courses are offered on institutional theory and various qualitative and quantitative methods.

Students in various degree programs may also participate in research projects with faculty and receive cutting-edge training of interdisciplinary research on institutional diversity.  If you are interested in getting involved with the activities in the center contact us for more information.

For more information about a programs of studies affiliated with the center please consult the following academic units:

• School of Global Studies
• School of Human Evolution and Social Change
• School of Life Sciences
• School of Sustainability

• J. Marty Anderies
• Marco Janssen
• Amber Wutich
• Abigail York 

• Marco Janssens' course descriptions and information
• School of Human Evolution and Social Change course descriptions and information