Research Intern (Office of Race and Equity Research)

About Urban Institute:

At the Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. As a nonprofit focusing on social and economic policy, our researchers and policy entrepreneurs open minds, shape decisions, and identify transformative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time.

Our Mission

To open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions through economic and social policy research.

Our Values

Collaboration, Equity, Inclusivity, Independence, and Integrity

For more information on the Urban Institute, please visit https://www.urban.org.

The Opportunity:

The Office of Race and Equity Research is an interdisciplinary hub for innovation in research, policy, and practice to drive equitable outcomes. Researchers are harnessing data across disciplines, disentangling the effects of race, class, and gender, and shifting from documenting racial and ethnic disparities to exposing injustices and informing solutions. In this new era, the Urban Institute’s Office of Race and Equity Research seeks to remedy structural inequities and foster prosperity and opportunity for all people. 

The Office provides research, advisory services, thought partnership, and technical assistance for a wide range of changemakers, including front-line practitioners, advocacy partners, and public officials at all levels of government. The Office also develops catalytic initiatives and builds capacity at Urban and across the field for race and equity research that meets high standards for excellence, accessibility, and policy relevance. To this end, the Office of Race and Equity Research helps researchers partner with communities to elevate lived experience as a vital source of knowledge and authority; draw on innovations in data science to measure equity, design more equitable policies and evaluate their impact; and hold institutions accountable for achieving equity goals.

ORER is looking to bring on an intern to help work across research agendas focused on examining policy solutions to advance racial equity across different fields, such as in equitable wealth building and in equitable policy design and implementation at the federal, state, and local levels.  

What You’ll Do:

• Conduct background research and compile evidence on emerging topics
• Conduct literature reviews, create annotated bibliographies, and synthesize key findings
• Contribute to product development (reports, briefs, blogs, etc), including basic editing and formatting, creating data tables, figures, and maps, and compiling reference lists
• Contribute to internal and external research events and convenings
• Support proposal development activities as needed
• Complete quick turnaround requests to support efforts of ORER team

Who You Are:

• The successful candidate will:
• Be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in economics, public policy, psychology, sociology, human development, or a related social science field. Applicants must be rising juniors or seniors.
• Demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills
• Have experience with various research methods, such as conducting literature reviews and supporting primary data collection (e.g., surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations or child assessments)
• Demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Program Highlights:

• 10-week paid internship; full-time preferred but strong candidates will be considered for part-time positions
• Internship program designed to provide students interested in research, public policy issues and organizational operations with rewarding and substantive work assignments that contribute to Urban’s mission
• Intern Program Dates: June 10-August 16
• Participate in our new intern “welcome” orientation
• Network with operations staff, senior professionals, and others who will support your professional growth and career interests
• Participate in intern-specific workshops and networking events designed to advance your professional development and build your soft skills
• Engage in team-building activities that forge new friendships with other Urban Interns
• Receive informal feedback and mentoring from your intern manager
• Present the value of your contribution and what you learned during our end of summer Lightning Talks

What you’ll experience:

No matter your role with Urban, you will contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference for people and communities across the country. And whether you call the Washington, DC area or elsewhere home, you can expect to be part of a welcoming and hybrid workplace. We are committed to cultivating a community and working in a manner defined by collaboration, equity, inclusivity, independence, and integrity.

Urban’s greatest asset is our people.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned. This posting is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Urban management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

The Urban Institute is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy or family responsibilities, matriculation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected status under applicable law. The Urban Institute is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Minorities/Women/Disabilities/Veterans.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you have a physical and/or mental disability and are interested in applying for employment and need special accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@urban.org.  Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.