ILR Worker Institute Research Fellowship Program

At its heart, the Worker Institute views its work as a contribution to reversing the growing inequality, now at historic levels, which undermines the economic and social sustainability of a vibrant democratic society.  The Institute provides the nation’s most comprehensive education, training, research, and organizational support for union leaders and worker advocates.  Worker Institute research fellows, sometimes in small teams, will have the opportunity to work directly with Ithaca-based faculty and ILR labor extension faculty based in NYC.

The fellowship program’s goal is to provide ILR students with a unique opportunity to contribute to important projects concerning workers and unions, expand their research skills, learn about potential career paths and interact with faculty, labor leaders and other fellows.

The main selection criteria include a strong academic record and a demonstrated interest in one of the Worker Institute’s research areas. 

Living Wage for Tompkins County 

Wages in Ithaca are not keeping up with the cost of living, especially for the lowest earners. The Ithaca Co-Lab works with the Tompkins County Worker Center, the Buffalo Co-Lab, elected people, nonprofits, and employers to tackle the problem of low-wage work. We have an ongoing program of research in which we calculate the level of the living wage and feed research and evidence into policy debates. In the next year WI fellows will work with community partners to re-calculate the living wage number, and gather information on adaptation by employers, impacts on the care economy, differences between Ithaca and other college towns, and implications for housing and transportation in the City of Ithaca. - with Ian Greer