The Caucasus Research Resource Centers program (CRRC) is a network of training, research support and resource centers established in 2003 in the capital cities of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. CRRC’s primary aim is to improve and progress social science research and public policy analysis in the South Caucasus region. CRRC is based on a partnership among the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Eurasia Partnership Foundation, USAID and top local universities. The program establishes a network for scholars, researchers and practitioners to strengthen their research capabilities, integrate various social science research methods and remain engaged with their local research community. CRRC’s regional office is devoted to assisting the country-based centers as they work to establish effective partnerships among academic scholars, policy practitioners, social science research professionals, as well as representatives from governmental and non-governmental sectors. In 2004, CRRC began the largest coordinated data collection effort in the South Caucasus known as the Caucasus Barometer. The Caucasus Barometer is an annually conducted nationwide survey in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan that covers a wide range of social, economic and political issues in the region. With a sample size of about 6,000 people, the Caucasus Barometer is free and available to the public on CRRC’s website as are most of CRRC’s projects. In addition to the Caucasus Barometer, CRRC conducts over 10 national surveys, focus groups and other research projects every year in the South Caucasus.
Fellowship Programs
CRRC hosts two fellowship programs. The Junior Fellowship program was established in 2004 to promote and facilitate the performance of local researchers in the South Caucasus at the beginning of their research careers. The program offers fellows the opportunity to gain first-hand research experience with the CRRC team. Fellows also receive rigorous training and contribute to integrating the South Caucasus region into global academic dialogue and discourse. The Junior Fellowship Program has existed in Georgia since 2009, in Azerbaijan since 2011, and in Armenia since 2013. Prior to 2013, the Armenia office has facilitated a long-standing traditional fellowship program.
CRRC’s International Fellowship program provides the opportunity for researchers from all over the world to join CRRC centers in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan for a period of at least 10 weeks. During this time, international fellows analyze regional issues addressing key public policy challenges. They are also encouraged to contribute to CRRC’s research and to work on their own independent research.
Libraries and computer resources for the public
Each CRRC center has a library and computer lab. These resources provide the public and researchers with a range of information resources such as textbooks, references materials, and journals. The computer labs provide access to on-line journals in the social sciences, as well as databases related to social science in the South Caucasus region.
External links:
CRRC Regional Website Online Data Analysis Caucasus Barometer Monthly E-bulletin International Fellowship Program Research Projects Reports Resources Other Publications • CRRC-Armenia • CRRC-Azerbaijan • CRRC-Georgia