The Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) is a public policy research institute at the University of Alaska Anchorage. For 60 years, it has studied the social and economic issues shaping Alaska and produced research to help inform decisions by policymakers and the public. Its work addresses topics ranging from state finances and the Permanent Fund to rural infrastructure, education, public health, wildfire risk, and changing populations and economies.

ISER conducts and shares research through reports, publications, projects, and public updates. Recent work has examined Alaska’s fiscal options and the potential effects of tax proposals on households, while research with the Anchorage School District has assessed changes in students’ lunch consumption. The institute also contributes to initiatives such as the NSF EPSCoR “Fire and Ice” project and supports specialized research through centers including the Center for Alaska Education Policy Research and the Center for Behavioral Health Research and Services.