The Australian Consortium for Social and Political Research Incorporated (ACSPRI) is a not-for-profit organisation, formed in 1976 originally to enable Australian social science researchers to gain access to the archive of survey data held at the University of Michigan.
Its objectives are to:
- Facilitate access to Australian and overseas sources of computer-readable social science data;
- Encourage and support activities and procedures which enhance access to and use of social science data;
- Collect and disseminate information relating to social science data; and
- Encourage and support teaching and research in the social sciences.
It was responsible for the establishment of the Australian Social Science Data Archive at the ANU, with whom it maintains a close association.
Its most prominent activities are the regular training programs in social research methods and research technology. ACSPRI currently runs annual programs in Canberra and Brisbane, with a third program spread across Melbourne and Sydney.
ACSPRI also runs survey research centre. This centre specialises in data collection for academic social science research, as well as methodological research and the development of software and tools.