Since Anchorage School District (ASD) began rolling out its new school lunch model four years ago, elementary students have been eating 31% more of their entrées and 29% more vegetables, according to data collected by a team based at ISER and the Center for Behavioral Health Research and Services.
The benefits extend beyond lunchtime: national research indicates school lunch participation improves academic outcomes equal to about two months of additional learning within a school year.
In November 2025, Mayor Suzanne LaFrance briefly introduced a 3% sales tax proposal to the Anchorage Assembly. ISER researchers examined the implications and outcomes of the proposal, identifying several key conclusions:
ISER is currently looking for a new director, who will coordinate research activities both within the institute and with other institutions and agencies, and will supervise a multi-disciplinary team consisting of 30 people, including faculty, administrative and research staff and student researchers. ISER’s current director, Diane Hirshberg, has announced that she will step down from the director’s role at the end of June 2026. She has been ISER director since 2022.
Dr. Diane Hirshberg will step down as director of the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) in June 2026. She has led the Institute since October 2021.
CAEPR is currently running a statewide educator survey!
The survey was developed in collaboration with education shareholders. It is a confidential survey that asks educators about their school and work experience, their community, themselves, and their future plans.
In early February, every in-service educator in Alaska received a personalized email survey invitation. We will send reminders to teachers periodically over the next 8 weeks, and develop a report in June.
We are excited to do this in service of schools and communities in our state.
The UAA Institute of Social and Economic research is conducting a National Science Foundation-funded project on how historic snowfall seasons (2022-2024) affected Anchorage businesses, particularly their buildings and roofs. They are conducting brief (5-10 minutes) surveys with Anchorage businesses to gather information about: how businesses perceived roof snow load risks, actions businesses took to address roof snow loads, and obstacles that made it difficult to remove snow from roofs.