The William A. and Barbara R. Owens Institute for Behavioral Research plays an important role on the campus of the University of Georgia. We work to provide services, information, and support that can enhance the quality, comprehensiveness, and relevance of social and behavioral research at the University. From humble beginnings as an interdisciplinary discussion group, we have blossomed into a multifaceted research institute (see History). However, we remain committed to the same core principles of service, scholarship, and accessibility that have characterized the IBR from its inception.

We have over 66 behavioral scientists with funding from federal, state, or private agencies (see Fellows). These scientists, in collaboration with each other and graduate students, are addressing basic and applied cutting edge research questions in the arenas of health, family, education, culture, and environmental decision-making. Significant problem areas, such as substance abuse in the workplace, sexual risk behavior and alcohol use by children and adolescents, care networks for the elderly, violence against women, abuse of children, and the promotion of medical compliance among diabetics, are being investigated. Studies examining learning processes of infants and school age children and basic behavioral research translating biological and cognitive science into new insights regarding human behavior are also underway. The work of our Faculty Fellows also addresses the importance of the culture within which individuals and families live and work. And, our efforts are not only national in scope but also international (see Grants at Owens Institute).

Beyond our support of the research of Fellows, all of whom are faculty members in departments across campus, the Institute enhances the research of the social and behavioral sciences in a number of ways: Mentoring junior faculty in grant writing; offering seven seminar series which are open to all faculty; sponsoring several colloquia each year with leading behavioral scientists from across the globe presenting their research; bringing officials from federal funding agencies to campus; assisting departments in their recruitment efforts; and offering grant writing workshops for faculty and graduate students. Beyond these activities, the Survey Research Center, one component of the Institute, offers faculty at the University a full menu of services, including survey questionnaire development, collection of data through phone, mail, and web-based surveys, and a statistical consulting unit.

The William A. and Barbara R. Owens Institute for Behavioral Research is continuing to expand and grow. We are increasingly interested in highlighting the important role that behavioral processes play in health and health care delivery, as well as the ways in which behavioral science can play a role in improving the health of the people of Georgia. At the same time, we are moving toward strengthening our role in assisting faculty with the grant writing process by beginning to "mentor" departments in the types of services and information they need to provide in order for successful grant applications to occur.

As you tour our web site, I believe you will be impressed by our activities and our contributions to the University of Georgia. These activities and contributions are the result of our faculty fellows' diligent efforts, the support of the upper administration, the cooperation of departments and colleges across campus, and the dedication and hard work of the Institute's support staff. Indeed, the past and present records of the Institute are ones of success and the future appears even brighter.

Steven Beach

The William A. and Barbara R. Owens Institute for Behavioral Research (IBR), under the auspices of the Office of the Vice President for Research, is an interdisciplinary unit of social and behavioral scientists.