Institute for the Study of Academic Racism

The Institute for the Study of Academic Racism (ISAR) is an organization that monitors academics and academic-related organizations that it accuses of racism. ISAR states in this capacity it serves "as a resource center for scholars, legislators, civil rights organizations, and journalists."

ISAR was founded and is executively directed by professor of humanities Barry Mehler in 1993, and maintains an online presence housed by, but independent from, Ferris State University.

ISAR advisory board
Source: ISAR
 * Peter Breggin a controversial psychiatrist and Ginger Breggin, International Institute for the Study of Psychiatry and Psychology, Washington, D.C.
 * Devin Burghart, Director, Building Democracy Initiative, Center for New Community, Chicago, IL
 * Jerry Hirsch, Department of Psychology, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, IL
 * Fatimah Jackson, Professor of Anthropology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
 * Joann Koepke, Treasurer, Homes for the Homeless, Austin, TX
 * David Krishef, Rabbi of Ahavas Israel, Grand Rapids, MI
 * Nick Lowles, Editor, Searchlight Magazine, London, England
 * Neil Posner, Sachnoff & Weaver, Ltd., Chicago, IL
 * William H. Tucker, Professor of Psychology, Rutgers, Camden, NJ

Profiled individuals and groups
Individuals profiled

Groups profiled


 * American Renaissance (magazine)
 * Center for Individual Rights
 * Citizens Councils of America
 * Council of Conservative Citizens
 * FREED
 * National Collegiate Athletic Association
 * Pioneer Fund
 * The Dixienet
 * UNIVERSITAS

The site's profiles were last updated in 1998-2000.

Criticisms of Mehler and the ISAR
Proponents of eugenics such as Glayde Whitney have criticized Mehler for using "inquisition" tactics like anti-racism to manipulate popular opinion and to discredit scientists including Cattell and Richard Lynn for ideological reasons rather than for scientific ones. Mehler's critics have questioned his objectivity because he "may be associated with Communists" Whitney also suggested that Mehler is not qualified to talk about eugenics or racial issues in biology and differential psychology because he is a historian by training, not a psychologist or physical anthropologist).

Whitney claims Mehler combats those he accuses of racism primarily through popular rather than scientific channels, via left wing periodicals and popular TV programming, such as Geraldo. Whitney has claimed that Mehler has published little in technical peer-reviewed journals relevant to the subject matters of his criticisms. Roger Pearson accused Mehler of "activist Lysenkoism."