Research

We explore our world, and we use what we find to improve it

Life is complicated. It’s nuanced and complex. That’s why our research and creative activity in the humanities and social sciences are so wide ranging: we explore the world and the human condition from many perspectives.

We expand the frontiers of knowledge and creativity, but we also do much more: investigating and helping solve important problems, from health care to environmental change.

Our research centers, institutes, and faculty lead these explorations, which include many research opportunities for students.

Explore our centers and institutes

Researchers at the forefront

Our faculty members collaborate with scholars throughout IUPUI, the nation, and the world to address significant questions and confront today’s biggest issues.

Funders of our research include federal and state government agencies, family and corporate foundations, nonprofit organizations, and other universities.

Meet our faculty

Our research projects and creative activity include:

Opioid management

Marianne Matthias in Communication Studies is examining how patients with chronic noncancer pain and their physicians communicate about opioid management. Her findings could help prevent opioid misuse and addiction.

Environmental change

The School of Liberal Arts is participating in Indiana University’s Grand Challenges initiative, Prepared for Environmental Change. This $55 million initiative is helping Indiana prepare for the effects of environmental change.

Race and sports

Chris Lamb in Journalism and Public Relations writes about racism in sports. His most recent books are Jackie Robinson: A Spiritual Biography and From Jack Johnson to LeBron James: Sports, Media, and the Color Line.

Politics across generations

Amanda Friesen in Political Science studies political beliefs across generations and how genetics may affect people’s positions on controversial issues—explaining in unprecedented ways how people think and act.

Origins of HIV/AIDS

William Schneider in Medical Humanities and Health Studies leads an international team exploring the emergence of the viruses that cause AIDS. Their findings could be a model for how other diseases, like Ebola, emerge and spread.

Digitizing Ray Bradbury’s materials

Jonathan Eller is cataloging the contents of our Center for Ray Bradbury Studies and creating a searchable multimedia database. The center studies and celebrates Bradbury, an influential science fiction and fantasy author.

African and African American contributions to America

Joseph Tucker Edmonds of the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture has collaborated with community leaders and education researchers across Indiana on “The Historic Journey.” This curriculum for Indiana primary schools covers African and African American contributions to the U.S. and humanity.

Documenting “invisible” neighborhoods

Susan Hyatt and Paul Mullins in Anthropology lead the project Invisible Indianapolis: Race, Heritage, and Community Memory in the Circle City. It examines the history and culture of Indy neighborhoods that have vanished over the years due to factors like “redlining,” racial and religious discrimination, postwar highway construction, and gentrification.

Digital humanities workshops

Jennifer Guiliano’s Digital Native American and Indigenous Studies project offers workshops to educate participants on issues of digital humanities research and methodology in the context of Native American studies.

Health insurance plans

Anne Royalty of the Center for Health Economics Research is designing research to study the effects of the Affordable Care Act on employer-provided insurance, and see how those plans compare to plans offered in health insurance exchanges.

Contact us

We can assist you with your project or help you collaborate with School of Liberal Arts researchers.

  • Jeffrey S. Wilson
    Associate dean for research
    jeswilso@iupui.edu
    317-274-1128
  • Edith Millikan
    Grants analyst
    emillika@iupui.edu
    317-278-6970
  • Eric Hamilton
    Grant finance specialist
    elhamilt@iupui.edu
    317-274-8207