The Center for Economic and Social Research (CESR) is dedicated to discovering how people around the globe live, think, interact, age, invest, and make important, life-changing decisions. Our in-depth research and analysis are deepening the understanding of human behavior in a wide range of economic and social contexts.

Our ultimate goal: to improve social welfare by informing and influencing decision-making in the public and private sectors. Along the way, we are leading a creative revolution in how scientists conduct social science and economic research through the use of innovative technology. Tomorrow is here, today.

Understanding America Study

The USC Understanding America Study (UAS) is creating an in-depth portrayal of the people in the U.S.--their daily lives and their opinions. This 9,300+ Internet panel is yielding insights and information of significant value to policy makers, government agencies, non-profit organizations, opinion pollsters, social science researchers, corporations and more. More

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We had our 10th anniversary conference, The End of Enlightenment?, at Town and Gown on the USC Campus on March 15th.  



Kyla Thomas was interviewed by the New York Times on the LAUSD school workers strike and the cost of living in Los Angeles.


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Events

March 27, 2023Lost in Translation: Designing Your Surveys So You Can Overcome Language Barriers

April 03, 2023Self-control failures, as judged by themselves: evidence from day reconstruction studies