What we're building
We are creating Puerto Rico's first panel survey of a large, representative sample of Puerto Ricans living on the island. This effort allows us to:
- Regularly collect and analyze data on Puerto Rican attitudes and policy preferences
- Share timely, reliable insights with the public and policymakers
- Strengthen local research capacity by training students and faculty at the University of Puerto Rico (UPR)
Why it matters
The development of this infrastructure at UPR will be key to advancing research on public opinion in Puerto Rico at a critical moment in its political and economic history. A lack of representative data has long inhibited scholarship on the island’s institutions. High-quality public opinion data will help ensure that the voices of Puerto Rican residents—who lack representation in key governing bodies—are heard.
What's next
After a successful launch phase, our goals include:
- Administering the first two waves of our representative public opinion survey
- Expanding infrastructure and capacity at UPR to manage survey administration and data collection
- Soliciting public feedback on the questionnaire
- Creating opportunities for scholars and institutions to support and engage with the project
By investing in this capacity, the University of Michigan and the University of Puerto Rico have built this partnership to support faculty, students, community organizations, and government leaders in developing more responsive and evidence-based policies.
