UB/Amrita Social Behavioral Sciences Research Institute

A delegation of faculty from the UB School of Social Work visited Amrita University, headquartered in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, in August 2009 and again in February 2010 to explore establishing a formal research partnership. As a result of the visits and in recognition of our existing collaboration and many shared interests, Amrita University and UB School of Social Work signed a Memorandum of Understanding in May 2010 to establish the UB/Amrita Social and Behavioral Sciences Research Institute (UBARI). The purpose of UBARI is to initiate, encourage, support and conduct interdisciplinary joint research in the social and behavioral sciences as it relates to identified areas of need, such as HIV/AIDS, trauma, extreme events and disaster management, community development, mental health and alcohol abuse. Special research consideration will focus on the economic and social advancement of India.

At the University at Buffalo, UBARI is housed within the Buffalo Center for Social Research (BCSR) in the UB School of Social Work. At Amrita University the Institute is housed on the Amritapuri campus. 

A number of collaborations and joint research projects are underway.