Statistical consulting services modeled on Consulting for Statistics, Computing, and Analytics Research, or CSCAR, will launch this spring at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research, expanding access to expert support in data analysis, computing and analytics for researchers across campus.
The program will build on decades of statistical consulting experience at U-M while establishing a sustainable home within ISR. The initiative will provide campus-wide services designed to empower faculty, staff and students with high-quality analytic resources that advance research and discovery.
“Providing research support for students, staff and faculty is a key part of our mission at ISR, and maintaining high-quality statistical and study design guidance is essential to fostering innovation,” said ISR Director Kate Cagney. “I am proud that ISR will lead the next phase of statistical consulting at U-M.”
This new program will provide valuable statistical and analytic service that has supported U-M’s scientific and pedagogical mission for nearly 80 years. CSCAR began as the Statistical Research Laboratory in the 1940s, when the university first established a unit to offer consultation and statistical services for teaching and research units. It has most recently existed as a unit within the Office of the Vice President for Research.
In early 2025, OVPR began to work with a range of campus partners to identify new ways of offering these services due to cost pressures. Last summer, the office announced that it was winding down its support while continuing to explore alternatives. In support of a smooth transition, OVPR has continued to support CSCAR researchers with active grants and is keeping CSCAR consulting services open through the spring.
ISR faculty members Brady West and Sunghee Lee are spearheading the transition, working closely with colleagues from ISR and other units on campus, such as the Departments of Statistics and Biostatistics, to meet the need for statistical services.
The program will initially feature an administrative hub at ISR, in addition to “spokes” of service providers in these other two departments on campus.
“We’re excited to administer statistical consulting services at ISR,” said West, faculty associate in the Population Studies Center and research professor in the Survey Research Center in ISR; adjunct lecturer in the Quantitative Methods and Social Sciences Program in LSA; and research professor of biostatistics in the School of Public Health.
“By working with researchers across disciplines and our initial partners in statistics and biostatistics, we will keep statistical consulting services accessible campus-wide. We aim not only to maintain the accessibility and expertise that CSCAR has been known for, but also to expand our support for cutting-edge research at Michigan.”
“This transition is an opportunity to serve the research community through new partnerships,” said Lee, research professor in the Survey Research Center in ISR; and adjunct lecturer in the Quantitative Methods and Social Sciences Program in LSA. “We look forward to connecting with faculty, staff, and students and supporting their research needs in this rapidly evolving research landscape.”
The chair of the Department of Biostatistics and the Department of Statistics are looking forward to this new phase.
“CSCAR has been and continues to be a crucial service to the research and education ecosystem at the University of Michigan,” said Veera Baladandayuthapani, chair of the Biostatistics Department. “The Department of Biostatistics is delighted to collaborate with ISR to revitalize it and enhance its impact.”
“Rigorous methods in statistics, data science, and AI are increasingly central to the University of Michigan’s research ecosystem,” said Ji Zhu, chair of the Department of Statistics. “We are excited to partner with ISR in this new chapter and to continue supporting the university community with modern statistical methods, data science, and emerging AI-driven approaches to research.”
The new chapter in consulting services renews U-M’s commitment to advancing research capabilities, and ensuring that students, faculty and staff continue to have access to the statistical and data collection/generation expertise that drives innovation. ISR will announce more details about the new consulting model and specific locations on campus that will be providing the service starting in April.