CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF AMERICAN MUSLIMS

ISPU’s Center for the Study of American Muslims (CSAM) is the first major independent research center devoted exclusively to collecting, analyzing, and disseminating empirical data on the diverse spectrum of Muslim communities in the United States. CSAM brings together talented scholars from a wide range of academic disciplines whose research deepens our understanding of American Muslim communities— an increasingly visible population that remains poorly understood.

CSAM has two primary goals; to nurture and support talented scholars who are developing an inspired future research agenda for the study of Americans Muslims, and to make cutting-edge research about American Muslims accessible to audiences outside the academic community. We pay particular attention to topics that are timely and relevant to policy makers, journalists, and the general public. Occasionally, we publish special reports on challenges faced by Muslim American communities which are intended for a more narrow audience, primarily activists, social service providers, and advocates for these communities.

We commission experts to share their original research on American Muslims through policy briefs and reports, opinion editorials and interviews in the mainstream media. CSAM also sponsors public conferences and academic workshops. In addition to CSAM’s research initiatives and regular collaborations with other research institutes and universities, we offer small seed grants to scholars who propose projects that reflect our research priorities.

CSAM’s research areas of focus include the following:

• Impact of U.S. policies on American Muslim communities
• American Muslims’ diverse political views and positions on major policy issues
• Factors that shape American Muslims’ civic engagement in the United States
• Growth and development of American Muslim communities, and the unique challenges they face.