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The Polarization Research Lab is a research group and resource hub dedicated to applying science to the study of polarization and democracy.

Founded on more than a decade of research by top scholars in the field at Dartmouth College, Stanford University, and the University of Pennsylvania, PRL advances the study of partisan animosity by collecting data, testing new ideas through rigorous science, and sharing the data and findings with others. Our network includes scholars across social science disciplines, post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, and researchers around the world as well as our funders and practitioner partners. 

Our lab focuses on addressing the following critical questions:

  • What are the principal causes of affective polarization and what can be done to treat it?
  • When and where does affective polarization alter behavior? Why?
  • How effective and durable are approaches to reducing affective polarization?

Explore what we do

America’s Political Pulse

Visualize and analyze trends in American political animosity measured with our data. Advanced tools and free and open datasets are also available.

Apply for survey time

We are looking for innovative work on partisan animosity. Proposals will be evaluated solely on scientific merit and will be fielded on YouGov as part of our weekly tracking survey.

Visit the Library of Partisan Animosity

Learn about the research on polarization from top academics in an easy to read and explore format.

Annual meeting

We bring together established scholars, graduate students, community groups and funders for a conference designed to highlight emerging academic work and to develop a network of academics and practitioners focused on the problem of partisan animosity.

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Latest news

Introducing the Library of Partisan Animosity
The Polarization Research Lab announces the launch of the Library of Partisan Animosity, an information and learning hub for the most important academic work on partisan animosity–the study of …
Tracking America’s Political Pulse
The Polarization Research Lab has launched a new visual dashboard for understanding partisan animosity in America. For the first time, anyone can view accurate and up-to-date polling on the …
Introducing the Pledge of Civility: An Audited Pledge from Future Elected Officials
The Polarization Research Lab has launched the Pledge of Civility, a new initiative aimed at lowering political hostility in America with an audited pledge from our future elected officials and …