Welcome to the Social Science Lab
The Social Science Lab at Grand Valley State University conducts applied research that helps communities, organizations, and decision-makers better understand the human dimensions of today's social and environmental challenges. Explore our current projects below to learn how our faculty, students, and partners are using research to inform policy, improve practice, and strengthen communities.
Fishing for Purpose
We're talking with anglers at drowned river mouth lakes along the eastern Lake Michigan shoreline to better understand what they value about their fishing experience and how they choose where to fish. Funded by the Great Lakes Fishery Trust, this study explores how anglers weigh factors such as fishing access, amenities, environmental conditions, and expected fishing outcomes. Results will help inform shoreline fishing access investments and guide future improvements to fishing opportunities. Read more about the project.
Citizen Social Science
In the interests of equipping local citizens to use social science research methods to assess community needs and communicate priorities using data, the GVSU Social Science Lab partnered with community leaders in Muskegon Heights to launch the Citizen Social Science initiative. Read more about the Citizen Social Science project.
The Grand River Bubble Barrier
How much of a problem do you think plastic pollution is in the Grand River? Would you support efforts to reduce it? We're working with the MSU Water Alliance to ask Grand River visitors about a proposed technology that uses a curtain of bubbles to guide floating trash toward a collection point, where it can be removed from the river. Follow this link to read more about the project.
Muskegon Lake Watershed Survey
Coming to a mailbox near you, September 2026.
Water Science in Agriscience
What do water science, agriscience, and social science have in common? People! In the Social Science Lab, we are working with area conservation groups and National FFA Organization agricultural education classrooms to monitor water quality and track sucker migrations. Read more about the Water Science in Agriscience project.
Aging and Health
Family relationships are perhaps the most foundational, and these relationships change over time as children move from receivers of parental care to providers. Professor Hammersmith's on intergenerational relationships, health, and well-being examines factors that make it more or less likely that adult children provide care for their aging parents. Read more about the Lab's work on aging and health here.