Research
Making an Impact

ISPU provides objective research and education about American Muslims to support well- informed dialogue and decision-making.

American Muslim Poll 2025

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Our Research

Our work makes impact in the following areas:

Developing Community

Researching family and wellness and building community capacity

Building Understanding

Protecting American pluralism and quantifying Muslim contributions

Providing Thought Leadership

Offering platforms for discussion and informing national conversations

How We Create Impact

Discover
We conduct rigorous, objective research on issues impacting American Muslims using a variety of methods.
Educate

We translate research into accessible resources, toolkits, and educational materials for diverse audiences.

Equip

Our strategy of equipping leaders multiplies our impact as the data lives on in the work of those who catalyze change.

ISPU in the News

From national outlets to local reporting, journalists rely on ISPU research and experts
to inform stories about Muslim communities in the United States.

Our Impact

I remember the first time I learned ISPU’s facts and data about American Muslims and anti-Muslim discrimination, and the impact it had on my own understanding of the ways that anti-Muslim bigotry shows up in our country. It completely shifted my paradigm of what it means to love my Muslim neighbors from one of charity to mutual solidarity. It helped me to see the role that I have to play from where I’m situated, understanding that my own sense of freedom and dignity is tied to that of my Muslim neighbors.

- Becca Tyvoll, Partnerships and Program Coordinator, Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign
A man wearing a graduation cap and gown smiles at the camera while sitting outdoors. Another person in a cap and gown is visible beside him. Trees and sunlight can be seen in the background.

Challenges We Address

Misinformation & Bias

Addressing misconceptions and providing factual data about American Muslim communities.

Policy Gaps
Identifying areas where evidence-based policy recommendations are needed.
Community Needs

Understanding and articulating the diverse needs of American Muslim families.

Upcoming Events

Choose To Power Research

ISPU provides objective research and education about American Muslims to support well-informed dialogue and decision-making. This work is made possible in part through the support of generous individuals.

Featured Toolkit​

COUNTERING AND DISMANTLING ISLAMOPHOBIA
A Comprehensive Guide for Individuals and Organizations.

Institute for Social Policy and Understanding

RESEARCH MAKING AN IMPACT

ISPU Scholars

Moustafa Bayoumi is the author of the critically acclaimed How Does It Feel To Be a Problem?: Being Young and Arab in America (Penguin), which won an American

Scholar

Dr. Alisa Perkins earned her doctoral degree in anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin. She serves as Associate Professor of comparative religion at Western Michigan University.

Fellow

Rania Awaad, MD, is a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the Stanford University School of Medicine where she is the chief of the Diversity Section, director of

Halima Al-Khattab is an experienced health behavior researcher and community leader with a demonstrated history of working in academic, clinical, and community settings. Al-Khattab is skilled in nonprofit

Expert

Hatem Bazian is a co-founder and professor of Islamic law and theology at Zaytuna College, the first accredited Muslim liberal arts college in the United States. In addition,

Expert

Dalia Mogahed is a scholar at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding. Mogahed is the former Director of Research at ISPU, where she led the organization’s pioneering

Expert

Hadia Mubarak is an Assistant Professor of Religion at Queens University of Charlotte. She previously served as Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Guilford College and as a

Youssef Chouhoud is an assistant professor of political science at Christopher Newport University, where he is affiliated with the Reiff Center for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution. Youssef

Carey Shenkman is an attorney, litigator, and author specializing in human rights and Constitutional law. He works with numerous organizations, including ISPU, CAIR, the Center for Constitutional Rights

Dr. Julie Macfarlane is Distinguished Professor and Professor of Law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Windsor. She has received a number of professional honours

Precious Rasheeda Muhammad, a.k.a. “The History Detective,” is an independent scholar, author, lecturer, and researcher widely recognized for her original research contributions to the study of Islam in

Expert

Dr. Hassan Abbas is Distinguished Professor of International Relations at the Near East South Asia Strategic Studies Centre (NESA), National Defense University in Washington DC. He serves as

Expert

Dr. Sohad Murrar is a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Illinois Chicago. She received her PhD (2018) and her MS (2014) in Psychology

Fellow

Hamada Hamid Altalib is a Senior Fellow and former Director for the Center for Global Health at ISPU. He is also an Assistant Professor in the Departments of

Brennan McDaniel is a PhD student in the Department of American Studies at Yale University. Drawing from Native American studies, Islamic studies, postcolonialism, and psychoanalysis, his research concentrates

Louise Cainkar is a sociologist and Associate Professor of Social Welfare and Justice at Marquette University in Milwaukee. She currently serves as president of the Arab American Studies

What Can You Do?

ISPU is a nonprofit organization that relies on the generosity of individual donors to keep our research free and accessible to everyone who needs it. You can help us keep it that way.

What Can You Do?

ISPU is a nonprofit organization that relies on the generosity of individual donors to keep our research free and accessible to everyone who needs it. You can help us keep it that way.

Toolkits for Practitioners

ISPU enables changemakers across sectors with effective, implementable resources

Policymakers

Evidence-based policy and recommendations

Educators

Teaching tools and educational materials

Faith Leaders

Community capacity building resources

Journalists

Data, methodologies, and collaboration opportunities

Journalists
Data, methodologies, and collaboration opportunities
Policymakers
Evidence-based policy and recommendations
Educators
Teaching tools and educational materials
Community Leaders
Community capacity building resources

Explore More Recent Reports

Improving Islamic Schools

This report explores the landscape of teacher compensation, position vacancies, and teacher retention in full-time Islamic schools in the United States. It aims to