Pew Research Center
| Company type | Nonprofit |
|---|---|
| Industry | Think tank, Social science research |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. , United States |
| Parent | The Pew Charitable Trusts |
The Pew Research Center—commonly referred to as Pew—is a nonpartisan American think tank based in Washington, D.C.. It specializes in providing insightful data and analysis on various social issues, public opinion, and demographic patterns that influence both the United States and international markets. Pew engages in activities such as public opinion polling, demographic studies, random sampling surveys, panel surveys, media content analysis, and empirical investigations within the field of social science.
As a division of The Pew Charitable Trusts, Pew Research Center adheres to a strict policy of neutrality by refraining from adopting stances on policy matters. Additionally, it holds the distinction of being a founding participant in the Transparency Initiative organized by the American Association of Public Opinion Research.
History
The Times Mirror Company established the Times Mirror Center for the People & the Press in 1990 with the aim of conducting polls focused on politics and public policy. Andrew Kohut was appointed director in 1993, and by 1996, sponsorship transitioned primarily to the Pew Charitable Trusts, leading to the center’s renaming as the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press.
In 2004, the Pew Research Center was formally founded in Washington, D.C.. Kohut resigned as president in 2013 to assume the role of founding director, with Alan Murray succeeding him. Later, in October 2014, Michael Dimock—who had been with the center for 14 years—was promoted to president.
Funding
Operating as a nonprofit and tax-exempt entity under section 501(c)(3), Pew Research Center functions as a subsidiary funded primarily by the Pew Charitable Trusts. For research concerning global religious demographics, it has also obtained joint financial support from the Templeton Foundation.
Research topics
The center’s investigations encompass a broad spectrum of subjects pertinent to policy formulation and market insights, including:
- U.S. political dynamics and policy attitudes
- Global affairs
- Immigration and migration trends
- Race and ethnic diversity
- Religious beliefs
- Generational and age-related issues
- Gender identity and LGBTQ perspectives
- Family structures and interpersonal relationships
- Economic conditions and labor markets
- Scientific developments
- Internet use and technological innovation
- Media consumption patterns and news engagement
- Research methodologies
- Geographic regions and countries
See also
- The Pew Charitable Trusts
- Pew Research Center political typology
- Project for Excellence in Journalism