Complex Social Problem Research Space
The Complex Social Problems Research Space (CSPRS) at SFU
With expertise in public policy, behavioural science, and political communication, the CSPRS team brings together policy practitioners and behavioural researchers to co-investigate complex social problems.
We co-develop interventions with the citizens involved in and affected by the issues, and experimentally test the interventions, both in the controlled research-environment of the CSPRS and in field experiments. Our unique approach ultimately generates innovative evidence-based results.
Location: AQ6046, Department of Political Science, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6
Email: CSPRS@sfu.ca
What are complex social problems?
Complex social problems originate from individual behaviours motivated by social expectations. They are difficult to address through policy interventions because they require individuals to coordinate their actions, and these actions tend to be costly to the individual yet ultimately beneficial if the coordination succeeds.
What problems does the CSPRS work on, and why?
Led by Profs. Mark Pickup, Laurel Weldon, and Edana Beauvais, we’re interested in:
- reducing intolerance of those with different political labels;
- mitigating the stereotyping and discrimination of vulnerable groups; and
- reversing the erosion of democratic norms.
These problems are timely and urgent. In many countries, including Canada, tolerance of those with different political identities (e.g., ideological identities like ‘right-wing’ or partisan identities like Republican) is in decline, while stereotyping and discrimination of vulnerable groups (e.g., based on ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexuality) is on the rise,and support for democratic norms are in decline (e.g., freedom of assembly, voting rights, and minority rights).
How does the CSPRS investigate complex social problems?
At the CSPRS, we believe in research co-design.
Together with partners and collaborators – across disciplines, communities, and government – we engage in stakeholder data collection and analysis, intervention prototype design, controlled environment intervention testing, and large-scale intervention testing.
We make collaboration happen because we have the expertise on our team, and specialized co-design research space to do so. Located in the Academic Quadrangle at SFU, we have a large, unique, and flexible research space. Our space can allow for a multitude of setups, allowing for a variety of controlled, experimental settings. At the same time, we incorporate high quality audiovisual recording equipment, reconfigurable workstations, a server and networked computers, behavioural and eye tracking hardware, and analytical software.
What can you do in the Research Space?
- Behavioural Experiment
- Eye-Tracking Experiments
- Emotional Response Coding
- Focus Group Recording
- In-Person and Online Interviews
The Research Centre is a neutral and quiet space in which participants can feel safe and comfortable, and where researchers can conduct participant interviews in an informal setting that establishes a rapport.