Data about AANHPI strenthened with new partnership between AAPI Data and UC Berkeley

The University of California at Berkeley is the top pubilc university in the United States.

AAPI Data, a leading national research and policy organization, announced Sept.16 that it is affiliating with the Asian American Research Center (AARC) and the Institute for the Study of Societal Issues (ISSI) at the University of California, Berkeley. 

This move marks a major new chapter for the organization and its efforts to advance research insights and enduring solutions for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities.

“Joining the Asian American Research Center at UC Berkeley represents a pivotal development in our organization’s 11-year history,” said Karthick Ramakrishnan, executive director of AAPI Data and Researcher at UC Berkeley. “We are excited to extend the impact and reach of UC Berkeley’s storied history in ethnic studies, community engagement, and policy-relevant research. This partnership considerably strengthens our efforts to ensure that AANHPI communities are better understood, recognized and prioritized.”

FYI: Learn more about AAPI Data and the Asian American Research Center at UC Berkeley .

For too long, data about Asian American and Pacific Islanders, has been considered by data collectors to be "statistically insignificant," therefore rendering the communities invisible because of the lack of data.

That void is the reason AAPI Data came into existence. Founded in 2013 by political scientist and professor Ramakrishnan, AAPI Data has emerged as a leading force in leveraging social science insights to shape accurate narratives and inform policy changes that uplift AANHPI communities. AAPI Data’s data-driven and community-informed approach have made it an essential resource for media outlets and policy leaders seeking to better understand and address the diverse needs of AANHPI communities.

The integration of AAPI Data into AARC at UC Berkeley aligns seamlessly with both organizations’ missions to advance trusted research and community engagement that improve public understanding of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.

Stephen Small, Director of the Institute for the Study of Societal Issues at UC Berkeley remarked, “We are thrilled to welcome AAPI Data as our newest initiative at the Institute. By integrating AAPI Data’s expertise into our research framework, this collaboration enriches our interdisciplinary approach to social change, enhancing our ability to address pressing societal challenges and issues with precision and depth.”

AAPI Data’s affiliation with the Asian American Research Center builds on UC Berkeley’s outstanding work in the development of ethnic studies and as a national leader in policy and social impact. AAPI Data seeks to achieve its goals in two major ways: by bringing in key partnerships with policy, community, and media organizations, and by building strong collaborations with researchers, schools and centers that aim to build research and community partnerships that have lasting public impact.

“The addition of AAPI Data to the Asian American Research Center is a significant development for both the Center and the broader UC Berkeley community. AAPI Data’s cutting-edge data and research insights on AANHPI communities will be a transformative asset, fueling our commitment to innovative research and public impact," said Colleen Lye, Chair of the Asian American Research Center at UC Berkeley.

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