NORC at the University of Chicago is an independent 501(c)3 research organization that was established in 1941 that conducts social science and public opinion research for government, private-sector, and nonprofit decision-makers.

NORC is an independent affiliate of the University of Chicago, with whom we partner on a wide variety of research. More than half of the NORC Board of Trustees is composed of UChicago faculty members.

NORC welcomes opportunities for its experts to contribute to quality journalism. Start by contacting Eric Young, Associate Director of External Affairs.

Yes. We can accommodate visiting journalists for interviews. We can also arrange for remote interviews via Skype, Zoom, or other methods.

Yes. We have a variety of print- and broadcast-quality materials and visuals that we can share for use with news articles. Tell us what you need.

Our media relations team is happy to hear what you’re interested in and offer suggestions for how our research can enhance your reporting. Start by contacting Eric Young, Associate Director of External Affairs.  

We conduct nonpartisan social science and public opinion research. Our political polling is done strictly on a nonpartisan basis and not for political parties or organizations. The range of topics we cover is reflected in the five main areas of our work:

•          Economics, Markets, and the Workforce
•          Education, Training, and Learning
•          Global Development 
•          Health and Well-Being
•          Society, Media, and Public Affairs

We conduct research for some of the largest, most prestigious government, business and nonprofit organizations. They include:

•          U.S. Social Security Administration
•          Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
•          Federal Reserve Board 
•          USAID                         
•          Associated Press
•          University of Chicago                                
•          Cornell University                   
•          Vanderbilt University
•          Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
•          Helios Education Foundation
•          The Welborn Baptist Foundation

NORC employs some of the world’s top research and subject-area experts. In all, NORC has 2,300 employees — 800 permanent employees, 700 telephone interviewers, and 800 field interviewers.

Our main office is in Chicago. We also have offices in the Washington D.C. area, Atlanta, Sacramento, and Boston.

Though NORC should be referred to in news stories and academic articles as “NORC at the University of Chicago,” our legal name is National Opinion Research Center. We are also registered to do business as “NORC.” NORC is an independent 501(c)3 research corporation and is not a part of the University of Chicago.