Applied AI for social research.
We put AI to work for social science, from traditional statistical modeling to generative AI applications and the automations in between. Bring us a problem; leave with a plan.
How can we help your project?
Book time with a consultant Send us a project inquiry Drop in to CoderSpaces// Mark one. There are no wrong answers.
A small team with a wide toolkit.
AI@ISR is the Institute for Social Research's applied AI group, continuing the work of ISR Data Science. We take on scoped engagements for research teams, sized to a single meeting or a full build.
Applied AI for social science research
Consulting and hands-on builds that bring AI methods into real research designs, scoped to your data, your questions, and what will survive peer review.
Automations
The repetitive work between idea and result (data intake, cleaning, coding, reporting) turned into pipelines that run themselves and leave an audit trail.
Traditional modeling
Statistical and machine learning models done rigorously: regression to ensembles, built for interpretation and inference, not just prediction scores.
GenAI applications
Language models applied to research tasks: coding open-ended responses, retrieval over document collections, and custom assistants, with evaluation you can defend.
We work as a team. Book either of us and you get both sets of eyes on your problem. Choose based on who you've talked to or who fits the topic; we'll sort the rest.
Alexis Castellanos
ISR AI Program ManagerAlexis is an AI Program Manager with a background in Computer Science, specializing in generative AI applications, traditional machine learning, and intelligent workflow automation. They build technical solutions that bridge the gap between complex AI capabilities and practical, real-world utility. Working with research units across the University of Michigan, including CSCAR, Advanced Research Computing (ARC), and the Institute for Research on Innovation & Science (IRIS), Alexis helps scholars integrate modern data tools, streamline technical workflows, and accelerate academic discovery.
Book time with AlexisLoren Fang
AI Applications DeveloperLoren leads technical execution and software development for ISR's AI initiatives, taking projects from concept and prototype to final delivery. Working directly with campus researchers, she handles hands-on implementation across the stack, from deploying open-source LLMs on HPC clusters to building custom automation pipelines. She focuses on transforming complex research needs into reliable, production-ready software tools. Book a working session with her to move an active project forward.
Book time with LorenPick a person, pick a time.
Live consults over Google Meet or in person at ISR. Booking confirms instantly on both calendars, and you can reschedule from the invite.
Consult with Alexis
New projects, scoping, and partnerships. Best first stop if we haven't worked together yet.
Prefer a full page? Open Alexis's booking page in a new tab [link pending]
Consult with Loren
Working sessions for active projects and hands-on build help.
Prefer a full page? Open Loren's booking page in a new tab [link pending]
// We keep a record of bookings (date, consultant, and your email) to manage appointments and improve the service.
Expertise across campus.
ISR and U-M host deep expertise well beyond our team. If your problem fits one of these groups better, we will point you toward them. Grouped by what they do.
Statistical Consulting at ISR
The next chapter of CSCAR: campus-wide statistical consulting, launched at ISR in partnership with Statistics and Biostatistics.
Consulting details →Statistical Design Group
SRC's free study-design service. Bring a design problem before you collect anything; leave with a defensible approach.
Statistical Design Group →PDHP
Population Dynamics and Health Program: proposal and methods consulting, workshops, mentoring, and small grants for population science.
pdhp.isr.umich.edu →Survey Research Operations
SRC's data-collection unit: study design through fieldwork at local to national scale, including biomarkers, focus groups, and text coding.
SRO services →NIMLAS
Methodological consulting and training for longitudinal studies of aging populations. Consulting is a member benefit rather than a general campus service.
nimlas.isr.umich.edu →PSC Data Services
Population Studies Center cores for data acquisition, management, and survey methodology guidance.
psc.isr.umich.edu →ICPSR
Providing data resources and training in statistics, data analysis, and quantitative research methods since 1962.
icpsr.umich.edu →MIDAS · AI Sandbox
Hands-on sessions to explore AI tools for research (no experience required), plus faculty AI consultations and pilot funding.
midas.umich.edu →ITS ARC
Advanced Research Computing: consulting on research computing, plus the Great Lakes HPC cluster, GPU allocations, research storage, and secure computing environments.
ARC consulting →// Listings describe publicly available services.
Three ways to get unstuck.
Not ready to book a consult? Send an inquiry, email the team, or just drop in.
Project inquiry
Tell us about your project in a short form: what you're studying, what data you have, what you wish were automated. Responses land in our shared intake sheet and we reply within 2 business days.
Email the team
Prefer email? Reach the whole team at once through our group address. One message, everyone sees it, the right person answers.
[group-name]@umich.edu
CoderSpaces
Weekly virtual hubs open to the whole U-M community: faculty, staff, and students. Bring code, cluster problems, statistics questions, or a method you're just starting to learn. Hosts from departments across campus, and everyone is welcome regardless of skill level.
Between sessions, join our CoderSpaces Slack space on U-M Slack: self-join the "U-M CoderSpaces" MCommunity group (how-to) and you'll sync into the workspace within 24 hours, then log in here. Active U-M faculty, staff, and students only.
Want to host a session? Email Alexis.
Sponsored by ISR · ARC · CPS · PSC · CSCAR · LSA Technology Services