About

The Social Science Research Institute’s (SSRI) main mission is to coordinate, support, conduct, and disseminate research in the Social Sciences at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI). The SSRI, which is part of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, works in close partnership with all AUI schools, research centers, and the larger AUI community.

The SSRI distinguishes itself from other social science research institutions in Morocco and in North Africa by building on AUI’s Mission as an English-medium, not-for-profit, state institution of higher education and research. AUI also benefits from extensive academic, administrative and financial autonomy. In addition to offering consultancy in Morocco, the SSRI aims to serve as a major research institute in Morocco with the resources and expertise to respond to bids and calls from international institutions. 

The SSRI has a strong focus on gender, political, international and development issues and contributes to current national and international initiatives and debates in all these fields. Social Sciences play a major role in better understanding the social and cultural factors in development and continue to significantly contribute to the improvement of development programs and policies.  In recent years, the focus has shifted to social phenomena through a combination of both qualitative and quantitative approaches, and social scientists have played a key role in this evolution.