Massachusetts Public Information Research Group Records

Background on MASSPIRG

“MASSPIRG is people—people taking hold of the future.” – MASSPIRG flier, 1981.

Established on the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus in 1972 as the Western Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group, or WMPIRG, the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group (MASSPIRG) is an independent, citizen-funded, student-centered research and advocacy group which seeks to protect consumers and citizens in Massachusetts across a variety of subject areas, including health, safety, and security concerns. Founded largely as a result of then-consumer-advocate Ralph Nader’s desire for college students to form political groups, MASSPIRG is one of the largest state-level Public Interest Research Groups in the country, combining research and grassroots advocacy in order to better the lives of Bay Staters.

Since its founding in 1972, MASSPIRG has performed investigations and published reports on matters of public concern. From its first report on dangerous toys on store shelves in Western Massachusetts to its campaigns today advocating for safe energy and avoiding the overuse of pesticides, MASSPIRG has fought for consumer protection since its inception. The organization also published a series of booklets and pamphlets in the 1970s in order to assist consumers with issues such as “How to Sue in Small Courts” and a directory of health care professionals in Western Massachusetts. MASSPIRG continues to advocate for consumers in the Bay State today and is an excellent example of student political activism and local civic organizations in New England.