Services

Research Services

The Research, Evaluation & Learning (REL) Unit at the Institute of International Education (IIE) provides holistic research and evaluation services to domestic and international governmental agencies, nongovernmental organizations, foundations, and corporations.

Research Capabilities

As pioneers in the international educational exchange field, IIE has conducted research on global academic mobility trends for more than 100 years. We publish Open Doors ®, a comprehensive suite of information resources on international students and scholars in the United States and on U.S. students studying abroad for academic credit. IIE serves as the Secretariat for the Project Atlas® global research initiative, partnering with more than 30 countries to collect and disseminate comparable student mobility data.

We leverage our knowledge of historic trends and data when applying our expertise in research design, data collection, analysis, and global dissemination. We tailor our approach to each study we design, develop, and implement, tapping our experience with a wide range of research methodologies. Our research on academic mobility informs higher education institutions, U.S. and foreign governments, corporations, and policymakers on current U.S. and global trends in international educational exchange, providing stakeholders with an evidence base to make decisions on critical issues in the field.

Research Expertise

Survey design, administration, and analysis
IIE has more than 100 years of experience designing, collecting, analyzing, and disseminating survey research that provides evidence-driven insights on international educational exchange. Through the IIENetwork, we have strong, established relationships and access to more than 3,000 U.S. higher education institutions and international partners to conduct research. Our timely snapshot surveys, landscape analyses, and longitudinal studies inform data collection, decision making, and advocacy efforts of international education stakeholders.

Qualitative data collection and analysis
IIE recognizes the value of mixed methods research, including hearing participants’ voices and using their words to articulate and contextualize quantitative research findings. We frequently integrate qualitative data collection and analysis in research study designs, using in-depth interviews, focus groups, and case studies to complement quantitative data. IIE also employs qualitative research methods to conduct comparative and international education research on educational systems, practices, and policies around the world.

Research Services

Research Reports, Policy Briefs, and White Papers
IIE provides clients with a full-service research experience. Our team is prepared to draft, design, and publish research reports, insight briefs, policy briefs, and white papers to disseminate research findings to your internal office or a global audience.

Custom Data Reports
IIE prepares customized reports on student mobility to and from the United States and provides historical trend information and aggregated analyses using Open Doors data. We monitor trends in international student mobility by geography (state, region, metropolitan area), institution type (public/private and degree-granting classification), and target market profile (country or world region of origin, degree level, and field of study).

Research Consortia
Our team collaborates with organizations and higher education institutions to build global research consortia. IIE facilitates regular meetings with all stakeholders, with the intention of creating consortia that are self-sustaining and long-lasting.

Areas of Expertise

International Academic Mobility to the United States
IIE has pioneered applied research and policy analysis in the field of international student and scholar mobility. We analyze data from multiple academic mobility information sources such as Project Atlas, UNESCO, and Open Doors – the standard reference resource for education and industry professionals on international students and scholars at U.S. higher education institutions.
Examples of our work:

U.S. Study Abroad
IIE has extensive experience in applied research and policy analysis related to U.S. study abroad and exchange initiatives — both for academic credit and non-credit experiential activities abroad, including work, internships, volunteering, research, and other activities. We build a comprehensive picture of U.S. study abroad specializing in analyses on institutional engagement, student profile, and activity.
Examples of our work:

Campus Strategic Decision-Making
IIE provides data-driven research and insights for higher education leaders to make informed decisions. Our research explores a broad range of international education activities, campus interventions, and institutional structures demonstrating promising practices for program design, new initiatives, and campus outreach efforts.
Examples of our work:

Career Readiness
Our research seeks to demonstrate the value of students’ international experiences to career readiness. IIE provides research and insights on a range of experiential activities abroad, and we are leaders in understanding the link between global education and workforce readiness. Our research investigates the ever-changing educational landscape, including where AI fits in global higher education systems.
Examples of our work: