Michael Dimock Archives

President

Demographics and Social Trends U.S. Politics and Policy

Michael Dimock is president of Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. Through public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis and other data-driven social science research, the Center generates a foundation of facts that enriches the public dialogue and supports sound decision-making. It does not take policy positions.

A political scientist by education and training, Dimock was tapped to join the Center in 2000 by its founding director, the late Andrew Kohut. Dimock became associate director for research in 2004 and director of the Center’s political polling unit in 2012. An expert on American political opinion, he co-authored several of the Center’s landmark research reports, including studies of long-term trends in American political and social values and reports on views of the candidates, campaigns and key issues during several presidential election cycles.

Dimock advanced to the key leadership role of vice president in 2014, overseeing the execution and analysis of the largest U.S. political survey that the Center has ever conducted. The survey provided an in-depth, groundbreaking examination of the nature and scope of political polarization within the American public. Dimock was named president later that year and has since been instrumental in guiding the Center’s research and development efforts to strengthen the practice of survey research and test new methods in data collection and analysis.

Dimock has been a frequent commentator on public opinion and politics for major media organizations and has appeared as a guest analyst on numerous television and radio programs. He has published articles on voting behavior, public opinion and survey methodology, and is a sought-after speaker, having presented at such venues as the Aspen Ideas Festival, Milken Institute Global Conference and various professional symposia.

Dimock received his Ph.D. in political science from the University of California-San Diego and his B.A. in political science from the University of Houston. Before joining Pew Research Center, he was a political science professor at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C.

Publications

short reads | May 22, 2023

It can be useful to talk about generations, but generational categories are not scientifically defined and labels can lead to stereotypes and oversimplification.

data essay | Jan 29, 2021

Donald Trump's four-year tenure in the White House revealed extraordinary fissures in American society but left little doubt that he is a figure unlike any other in the nation’s history.

short reads | Nov 13, 2020

The U.S. is not the only country wrestling with political fissures. But the pandemic has revealed how pervasive the divide in U.S. politics is.

short reads | Oct 29, 2020

Polls can't predict the future. But they are the best tool to reveal the public’s priorities and values, and why people vote the way they do.

report | Jun 5, 2020

We are committed to hearing and addressing the experiences of people of color—as well as confronting racism and working for a better America.

report | May 1, 2020

We're committed to informing the public with facts about the far-reaching impact that this global pandemic is having on our society.

report | Dec 11, 2019

As 2020 approaches, here’s a preview of how the Center is approaching the election, both in terms of how we plan to conduct surveys and other studies and what we plan to explore.

report | Jun 5, 2019

A little over a year ago, Pew Research Center decided to intensify its research focus on the theme of trust, facts and democracy. As part of this initiative, the Center has published more than 30 pieces of related research over the past 12 months.

short reads | Jan 17, 2019