About Us

UW-Madison Retirement and Disability Research Center Overview

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Retirement and Disability Research Center (UW RDRC) is an applied research program which develops evidence that can assist policymakers, the public, and the media in understanding issues in Social Security, retirement, and disability policy, especially related to economically vulnerable populations. The UW RDRC incorporates diversity of viewpoints and disciplines, develops diverse emerging scholars and generates research findings that are used in policy and practice.

Our Partner Institutions

The UW RDRC has many outstanding partners that are instrumental in delivering the stellar trainings, research, and outreach programs that are a benchmark of the UW RDRC. Howard University , a prominent HBCU institution, has been an important partner, especially in delivering the Junior Scholar Intensive Training (JSIT) every year since the inception of the UW RDRC in 2019. A new collaboration is the development of an undergraduate training program, Social Insurance Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF), at Howard University and San Diego State University . SDSU is an HSI that, like Howard, will develop and launch a SURF program that seeks to attract talented underrepresented undergraduate students to give them an introduction to policies and programs, including Social Security programs.
Montana State University is the home institution of the UW-RDRC Co-Director of Research, Carly Urban.
Howard University is the home institution of the UW-RDRC Co-Director of Training, Jevay Grooms.

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Learn more about The Special Role of the University of Wisconsin in the History of Social Security

Social Security Administration Retirement and Disability Research Consortium

The Retirement and Disability Research Consortium (RDRC) is an interdisciplinary extramural policy research program funded by the Social Security Administration (SSA) through a cooperative agreement. Research centers will conduct research, prepare policy briefs and working papers, hold annual meetings, and provide research and training support for young scholars.

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