Summer 2026 - CUNY Summer Research Fellow at Vera Institute of Justice

New York, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

InternshipExperience Level

InternshipJob Type

UnknownVisa

Criminal Justice, Immigration Justice, Non-Profit, ResearchIndustries

Requirements

CUNY Graduate Center Ph.D. student from any program
Research interests in criminal or immigration justice and the work of the Vera Institute
Ability to work 120 hours over the summer of 2026
Work onsite at Vera’s offices in Industry City, Brooklyn for at least 60 hours over 10 weeks
Attend a welcome session at the beginning of the fellowship
Deliver a brief presentation on work at the end of the summer
Write a blog post about experiences before the end of the Fall 2026 semester

Responsibilities

Collaborate with researchers in one of Vera’s initiatives on a specific project
Perform data collection, analysis, fieldwork, report writing, stakeholder engagement, and dissemination (including quantitative work like cleaning and analyzing administrative data, and qualitative work like interviewing stakeholders or directly impacted people)
Contribute to team-wide writeups of key ideas
Prepare presentations to external groups
Support cross-team learning across Vera

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

data collectiondata analysisfieldworkreport writingstakeholder engagementdisseminationresearch methodssocial science

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the compensation for the CUNY Summer Research Fellow position?

The fellowship provides a $4,000 stipend.

Is this a remote position, or do I need to work in the office?

Fellows will be based in Vera’s New York City office with some flexibility in remote working, but must work onsite at Vera’s offices in Industry City, Brooklyn for at least 60 hours over 10 weeks.

What are the main responsibilities and skills needed for this fellowship?

Responsibilities include collaborating on research projects with tasks such as data collection, analysis, fieldwork, report writing, stakeholder engagement, and dissemination. Suitable for Graduate Center Ph.D. students with research interests in criminal or immigration justice.

What is the team like at Vera Institute of Justice?

Vera researchers work as part of inter-disciplinary teams to develop and implement theories of change that weave together research, advocacy, communications, and site-based technical assistance.

How many hours is the fellowship, and what additional commitments are there?

Fellowship recipients will work 120 hours over the summer of 2026, attend a welcome session, do a brief presentation at the end of the summer, and write a blog post before the end of Fall 2026.

Vera Institute of Justice

Addresses injustices in law enforcement and society

About Vera Institute of Justice

Vera Institute of Justice focuses on addressing significant social issues related to justice and law enforcement. The organization collaborates with various partners to confront challenges such as mass incarceration, racial inequalities, and the erosion of public trust in law enforcement. Their work also extends to supporting vulnerable and marginalized communities, as well as individuals affected by crime and violence. Unlike many organizations, Vera Institute emphasizes a collaborative approach, bringing together diverse stakeholders to create effective solutions. The ultimate goal of Vera Institute is to promote a fair and equitable justice system that serves all members of society.

New York City, New YorkHeadquarters

1961Year Founded

$243.2KTotal Funding

GRANTCompany Stage

Government & Public Sector, Social ImpactIndustries

201-500Employees

Benefits

Health Insurance

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Student Loan Assistance

Professional Development Budget

401(k) Retirement Plan

Flexible Work Hours

Risks

Unionization could lead to higher labor costs and potential disruptions.

Partnership on 'Dignity Principles' may face scrutiny if not effectively implemented.

Securus' educational expansion might overshadow Vera's initiatives in the same area.

Differentiation

Vera collaborates with JLUSA on 'Dignity Principles' to enhance criminal justice reform.

Focus on educational technology aligns with mission to reduce recidivism and mass incarceration.

Utilizes AI to enforce privacy, security, and fairness, enhancing social innovation strategies.

Upsides

Increased educational tech in prisons aligns with Vera's mission to reduce recidivism.

Unionization may improve working conditions, boosting organizational effectiveness.

Chubb Rule of Law Fund offers partnership opportunities for racial justice initiatives.

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