Conducts expert and public opinion polls, focusing on New York State and the United States, on issues of public policy interest
Siena College Research Institute (SCRI) is an affiliate of
Siena College, located originally in Friars Hall and now in Hines Hall on the college's campus, in
Loudonville, New York, in suburban
Albany.[1][2][3] It was founded in 1980.[4]
It conducts both expert and public opinion polls, focusing on New York State and the United States, on issues of
public policy interest. They include education, health care, and
consumer confidence, and explores business, economic, political, voter, social, educational, and historical issues.[4][5] Most recently, SCRI conducted surveys on New Yorkers' sentiments towards the creation of the
Cordoba House Mosque near the
World Trade Center site in
lower Manhattan, and the
Arizona Immigration Law.[6][7]
In 2018, SCRI and The New York Times partnered to deliver the first real time Midterm Election polls.[8][9] It currently holds a 3-star rating from
FiveThirtyEight, their highest possible rating for a pollster.
Among other things, starting in 1982 SCRI has polled presidential scholars in an effort to rate both the United States presidents[10][11] and U.S.
First Ladies.[1][12][13][14] It has also conducted polls as to America's most notable women,[15] television's most memorable moment,[16] and consumer confidence.[17][18]
Statistics and finance professor Doug Lonnstrom was its founding Director.[19] Donald Levy is its current director.[20]