September 15, 2026 | 828 Words | 4-5 Minutes
Over 150 members of the University of Illinois and surrounding community gathered September 1 to celebrate a milestone years in the making: the establishment of the Social & Behavioral Science Institute (SBSI).
The packed NCSA lobby reflected the excitement surrounding this new chapter, as guests enjoyed refreshments and conversation before gathering for remarks from university and SBSI leadership.
But the celebration represented more than a new name.
The transition from a center to an institute marks an opportunity to build on what this community has created together—and expand what SBSI can make possible.
Building toward this moment
During remarks at the celebration, SBSI Director Eva Pomerantz reflected on the evolution that brought SBSI to this moment.
The effort took formal shape in 2017 as the Social and Behavioral Science Research Initiative, supporting interdisciplinary teams through small grants. It grew into the Center for Social & Behavioral Science in 2019 and continued expanding its programs, partnerships, and community in the years that followed.
Pomerantz recognized those who helped build that foundation and reflected on what leading the organization—and seeing the ideas emerging from its research community—has meant to her.
“Every time we get the proposals for our small grants, I feel like it’s a surprise box,” Pomerantz said. “It’s a thrill to see what creative ideas, what new methods people are developing for their next project.”
Senior Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation Susan A. Martinis also recognized the faculty, staff, campus leaders, and advocates whose vision, persistence, and work helped make the transition possible.
In her remarks, Martinis emphasized that many of the most pressing challenges facing society—from strengthening communities and building trust to improving health, expanding opportunity, supporting learning, and navigating technological change—are fundamentally questions about people. Addressing them, she noted, requires perspectives from across the social and behavioral sciences working together and alongside colleagues throughout the university.
SBSI’s role in creating those connections, she said, represents the collaborative spirit that is central to Illinois’ research enterprise.
Provost John Coleman similarly highlighted the value of bringing different disciplinary perspectives, questions, and methods together. He described SBSI’s role in elevating social and behavioral science across campus and creating opportunities to connect researchers with one another, as well as with the partners and resources needed to pursue ambitious work that no single discipline could accomplish alone.
Looking toward what comes next
That spirit of possibility extended well beyond the formal remarks.
As guests reflected on what they hope to see in SBSI’s next chapter, their answers reflected a range of possibilities—from expanding interdisciplinary research and strengthening engagement with communities and policymakers to establishing Illinois as a destination for innovative social and behavioral science.
Aixa Marchand hopes SBSI’s influence will extend well beyond campus.
“I’m excited for SBSI to be one of the leading centers here on campus at the University of Illinois, but also a leader for social and behavioral scientists across the nation,” Marchand said, “so that people can look to us to see what sort of cutting-edge research we’re doing here that is being supported by SBSI.”
For Catherine Corr, the opportunities include engaging more researchers around areas of shared interest.
“Over the next coming months and years, I’m excited to see SBSI engage more faculty, specifically around early childhood research,” Corr said. “And I know you’re going to do great.”
Will Schneider pointed to the potential for research to reach beyond the university.
“I’m really excited for SBSI to expand their work with the state and get faculty involved and really, really impact the lives of people in Illinois,” Schneider said.
Together, those hopes point to the breadth of what SBSI’s next chapter can make possible—advancing research, strengthening connections across campus, and extending the impact of that work beyond the university.
Today, SBSI’s community includes over 200 affiliates representing 35 campus units. Its programs span research development, interdisciplinary collaboration, public engagement, and training and professional development—from seed funding for interdisciplinary teams to partnerships that connect researchers with policymakers and communities.
A celebration of community
If the transition to an institute represents an investment in what SBSI can become, the Grand Opening Celebration was also an opportunity to recognize the community that made that future possible.
Throughout the afternoon, conversations carried across the NCSA lobby as guests met new colleagues, reconnected with familiar faces, and celebrated together. The energy in the room reflected something at the heart of SBSI’s work: meaningful collaboration starts by bringing people together.
To everyone who joined us to celebrate—and to the researchers, affiliates, partners, students, staff, and friends who have been part of this community along the way—thank you.
Thank you for sharing your ideas with us, partnering with us, showing up for one another, and helping us reach this milestone.
The name may be new, but the commitment behind it has been years in the making. As SBSI begins this next chapter, we’re excited to build on that foundation together—and to see what this community makes possible next.
Read the Director’s Remarks
SBSI Director Eva Pomerantz reflected on the community that helped build SBSI and make the transition to an institute possible. Read her full remarks in the September Director’s Note.
