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Heng wins 2023 New American Voices Award

Heng wins 2023 New American Voices Award

Author Rachel Heng has won the sixth annual Institute for Immigration Research New American Voices Award for her novel The Great Reclamation. She accepted the award at a ceremony at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts during the 25th annual Fall for the Book festival.

Apply now for the Next System Fellowship

Apply now for the Next System Fellowship

The Spring 2024 cohort of Next System Fellows is now open for applications, offering a unique path to realizing your ambitions. Creating a new world system is our ultimate goal and the focus of our research.

George Mason University launches entrepreneurship program for Afghan refugees Headlines

George Mason University launches entrepreneurship program for Afghan refugees

September marks the second anniversary since Afghan refugees started arriving in the D.C. area. George Mason University’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship within the School of Business recently announced the launch of the RISE (Refugee and Immigrant Success through Entrepreneurship) Program as the first phase of the center’s SOAR Initiative this fall.

IIR Director Co-PI in NSF study on perceptions of efficiency and bias

IIR Director Co-PI in NSF study on perceptions of efficiency and bias

Laurie Schintler, Associate Professor, Schar School of Policy and Government, is set to receive funding from the National Science Foundation for the project: "Perceptions of Efficiency and Bias in Peer Review: Algorithmic versus Human Decision Making." This project is a collaboration between the Schar School of Policy and Government (GMU) and the Department of Sociology and Anthropology (CHSS-GMU). The investigators on the team include: PI Laurie A. Schintler; Co-PI Connie L. McNeely, Professor, Schar School of Policy and Government; and Co-PI James Witte, Professor, Sociology, Sociology and Anthropology; Director, Institute for Immigration Research.

IIR researchers receive funding for conference focused on refugee resettlement and STEM education

IIR researchers receive funding for conference focused on refugee resettlement and STEM education

James C. Witte, Professor, Sociology, Director, Institute for Immigration Research (IIR), and Michelle S. Dromgold-Sermen, Assistant Director, IIR, received funding for: "Refugee Resettlement and STEM Education." This conference will focus on how STEM-oriented educational opportunities through high schools, registered apprenticeships, community college, and four-year institutions can all play a significant role in addressing urgent humanitarian needs, while also expanding the nation’s STEM workforce.

Diane Portnoy: Profile of the American dream

Diane Portnoy: Profile of the American dream

Portnoy’s work with and support of Mason’s Institute for Immigration Research is an extension of her commitment through The Immigration Learning Center to help more Americans understand the true picture of what immigrants and immigration means for our country.

Major gift establishes new fellowship

Major gift establishes new fellowship

The Institute for Immigration Research (IIR) will now have more resources to produce scholarly research about the impact of immigrants on the United States, thanks to a generous donation from Sumeet Shrivastava, MBA '94.

IIR Welcomes New Assistant Director

IIR Welcomes New Assistant Director

The Institute for Immigration Research (IIR) is excited to welcome Michelle Dromgold-Sermen. Michelle joined the IIR as Assistant Director in February 2023. In this role, she will support the institute's administration, visioning, mentoring of students, and research.

Witte Receives Funding for Project Aimed at Examining How Immigrant Athletes May Act As Agents of Change

Witte Receives Funding for Project Aimed at Examining How Immigrant Athletes May Act As Agents of Change

James C. Witte, Professor, Sociology; Director, Institute for Immigration Research, received funding from Americorps for the project: "Immigrants, Athletes, and Civic Engagement." Witte is collaborating with Marissa Kiss, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, Institute for Immigration Research, on this project. Witte and Kiss will examine the degree to which immigrant athletes use their visibility, acceptance, and influence to extend the spirit of inclusiveness and equity to all New Americans.