Research Making an Impact
The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, a non-profit research and education institution, has collected and published research on Americans who are Muslim for nearly 20 years. That research provides the bedrock and context for these online courses, created by ReligionandPublicLife.org and supplemented by a collection of resources from other institutions and scholars.
The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding equips professionals with solution-seeking research in cultivating their understanding of the legal and political challenges faced by American Muslims. Many of these challenges arise as a result of the current geopolitical climate and widespread misinformation and misunderstanding. Anti-Muslim sentiment and targeted policies that infringe on personal and religious freedom are the new normal. Learn to apply ISPU’s public policy research and examine the structural barriers that hinder the American Muslim community from full inclusion and participation. The sources and exercises provide people with an accurate understanding of American Muslim communities, equipping them to build and sustain allyship and identifying common challenges and solutions.
We promote full and equitable inclusion with solution-seeking research

Earn a Certificate in American Muslim Life
Earn a professional certificate by applying objective research and education about American Muslims to support well-informed dialogue and decision-making.
- Complete the three-hour course 2501 Muslim Religious Liberty in Early America
- Complete the three-hour course 2502 Who Are American Muslims?
- Complete the three-hour course 2503 How are Muslims Represented?
- Complete the three-hour course 2504 How are American Muslims Treated?
- Complete the three-hour course 2505 Resilient Communities: Pathways Forward
Our Experts. Your Success.

Meira Neggaz
Executive Director
Institute for Social Policy and Understanding

Petra Alsoofy
Outreach & Partnerships Manager
Institute for Social Policy and Understanding

Dalia Mogahed
Director of Research
Institute for Social Policy and Understanding

Erum Ikramullah
Research Project Manager
Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Our Services
Hire experts from the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding to serve as keynote speakers and panelists for online and onsite events. Schedule online or onsite workshops for journalists, government officials, law enforcement, religious leaders, and teachers. Hire ISPU consultants to design research projects, strategic plans, community programs, and educational experiences. All fees benefit the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, a nonprofit research organization.
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90-minute program
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Curriculum Design
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Research Project
News Feed: Institute for Social Policy & Understanding
- Banking While Muslim April 18, 2023From closed accounts and denied transactions to investigations, Muslims are the most likely faith group to report challenges with financial institutions. The post Banking While Muslim first appeared on ISPU.Youssef Chouhoud
- The Majority of American Muslims Believe that Climate Change is the Result of Human Behavior and that Government Regulation is a Way to Solve for it February 10, 2023The issue of climate change has been a hotly debated topic, one that has figured prominently in the political arena and the public square. The post The Majority of American Muslims Believe that Climate Change is the Result of Human Behavior and that Government Regulation is a Way to Solve for it first appeared on […]Erum Ikramullah
- American Muslim Poll 2022: Key Findings August 23, 2022Read the key findings of ISPU’s American Muslim Poll 2022. American Muslim Poll 2022: A Politics and Pandemic Status Report provides a snapshot of American Muslims and Americans of other faiths as well as no faith two years into the COVID-19 pandemic as we enter... The post American Muslim Poll 2022: Key Findings first appeared […]Dalia Mogahed
- American Muslim Poll 2022: Full Report August 23, 2022Read the full report of ISPU’s American Muslim Poll 2022. American Muslim Poll 2022: A Politics and Pandemic Status Report provides a snapshot of American Muslims and Americans of other faiths as well as no faith two years into the COVID-19 pandemic as we enter... The post American Muslim Poll 2022: Full Report first appeared […]Dalia Mogahed
- Illinois Muslims: Key Findings July 6, 2022Who are Illinois Muslims, and what are their assets and needs? What opportunities exist for leaders, officials, volunteers, policymakers, corporations, media members, and social/civic/philanthropic organizations on how best to understand and support the Muslim community in Illinois? This report presents an empirical assessment of the... The post Illinois Muslims: Key Findings first appeared on ISPU.Dalia Mogahed
How well do you know American Muslims?