The Institute for Families in Society was created in the early 1990s through the efforts of an interdisciplinary task force commissioned by the University of South Carolina. By 1992, the Institute was securely grounded by a generous donation from Cindy and Evan Nord. As an interdisciplinary research team, the Institute has worked with a variety of partners to strengthen families and communities.

The mission of the Institute is to use University-community interdisciplinary research and practice as a platform to advance the science of helping families and vulnerable communities.  

The Institute will accomplish this mission by:

• Fostering  the discovery of pathways for reducing disparities, promoting environmental and social justice, and accelerating the translation of research to promote the health and well-being of children and families;
  
  
• Serving as a catalyst for expanding the University of South Carolina's portfolio of translational action research to meet the needs of vulnerable population groups;
   
• Disseminating evidence based research findings to inform researchers, policy makers, practitioners, and the public;  and,
    
• Providing leadership to promote the collaboration of community, state and national  efforts to serve underserved populations.

Interested in becoming a member of the Affiliate or Associate Faculty of the Institute for Families in Society?

Find out about the eligibility policy and get the application form (pdf).