Research Intern - HumanProgress.org

To be considered for this role, you must apply directly through our online application. 

Overview

HumanProgress.org documents the evidence that human life is improving—tracking progress in health, wealth, education, the environment, innovation, and freedom — using data from sources such as the World Bank, UN, OECD, and Our World in Data. The site, newsletter, and podcast reach a wide audience, aiming to challenge negative narratives with trend data rather than alarmist headlines. 

Interns support data collection and visualization, editorial review, original research projects, social media content, and writing. The work varies significantly by term and ongoing project — past interns have edited book manuscripts, conducted original empirical research, built data spreadsheets, and written and published blog posts. Applicants should expect a range of tasks and some independent responsibility for assigned projects.

Responsibilities

• Collect, verify, and organize global indicator data from international datasets; keep clean, well-documented spreadsheets with consistent units, definitions, and source labels.
• Create charts and visualizations using Datawrapper or similar tools to enhance articles, social media posts, and website content.
• Edit scholarly articles, blog posts, and journalistic contributions for accuracy, clarity, and consistency with the Chicago Manual of Style footnote standards.
• Verify quotations, data citations, and empirical claims against original sources.
• Write and publish blog posts for HumanProgress.org.
• Support original research projects as assigned — which may include data analysis in Excel, literature reviews, or contributing to book manuscripts.
• Create social media content and graphics for the team's platforms; support newsletter and digital content operations.
• Support other team projects as assigned, including AI content initiatives and website development.

Required Qualifications

• Genuine enthusiasm for the empirical study of human progress and a disposition toward data over narrative; demonstrated commitment to economic freedom and alignment with Cato's principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data collection, cleaning, and analysis — including a well-structured format, consistent units and definitions, and source-labeled charts.
• Familiar with international datasets (World Bank, UN, OECD, Our World in Data) and comfortable comparing country-level indicators over time.
• Strong editing and fact-checking skills with accurate citations; applicants are encouraged to review the team's recently published work before applying.
• Clear writing for general audiences — capable of translating empirical findings into concise and readable copy.
• Professionalism, reliability, and attention to detail — research and editorial work here requires accuracy in both data handling and written output, and consistent follow-through on assigned tasks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using Datawrapper or similar data visualization tools.
• Background in a quantitative social science, public health, economics, international development, or related field.
• Previous writing or editing experience, such as published work, a campus publication, or a research blog.
• Interest in the psychology of progress, progress studies, or the history of human flourishing as academic fields.

The Cato Internship Program

Cato’s paid internships are available for undergraduates, recent graduates, graduate students, law students, and early-career professionals who are strongly committed to individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace—principles that together form libertarianism, also known as “classical liberalism,” “market liberalism,” or, to many of our international friends, simply “liberalism.” 

All Cato interns participate in the same intensive seminar series, which covers a wide range of history, philosophy, policy, and professional development topics. Interns also assist with events and occasionally support Cato staff with other daily tasks. 

Interns receive competitive pay. Part-time roles are adjusted accordingly and require a minimum of 25 hours per week. Program participants must be able to attend in person in Washington, D.C.  

For more information about the internship program and experience, we encourage you to explore our website. If you have any questions, email studentprograms@cato.org.