What is society?
It is not an easy question to answer on the spot.
What is society made of?
Humans and what humans weave together, the whole picture.
The entirety of problems created by people, problems that have continued since ancient times.
We seek to unravel that vast and elusive world through the power of scholarship.
By building a foundation of knowledge, we can confront and engage with the questions it presents.
Observe society, unravel its realities and causal relationships,
and considering "what is desirable."
At the Institute of Social Science,
with society in mind,
we illuminate lives through the power of social science.
The Institute of Social Science (SHAKEN) is a research institute that studies various social phenomena and issues using knowledge from the four social science fields of law, political science, economics, and sociology. Through individual specialized research and collaborative research, it aims to deepen our understanding of society.
The Institute for Social Science comprises researchers with diverse areas of expertise. Based on their respective specialties, they engage in research on society through individual and collaborative projects.
The Institute of Social Science conducts research activities in various forms, including institute-wide joint research projects, group collaborative research, and survey research. Research results are disseminated through symposiums and publications.
While the Institute for Social Science is primarily a research institute, its staff members are also involved in education at the University of Tokyo's graduate and undergraduate levels. They collaborate with various graduate schools and faculties to provide specialized courses and research guidance.
At the Institute for Social Science, we build diverse relationships with society through our research activities. We disseminate research results and insights to society through summer seminars primarily for junior and senior high school teachers, the Outreach project, and media appearances by our staff.
The Institute of Social Science promotes international research exchange and academic dissemination through the conclusion of international academic exchange agreements, the invitation of overseas researchers, and the publication of English-language journals. Based on a diverse international network, we are advancing the international expansion of our research activities.
