About the role#
Vera Louisiana is seeking a part-time Research Intern for the Fall 2026 term. This role supports ongoing projects focused on jail population reduction, community investment, and addressing the carceral impact in Louisiana parishes and at the state legislature. You will work under the supervision of the Senior Research Associate and collaborate with various staff members to gain experience in applied social justice research and criminal legal systems. This is an unpaid internship for academic credit.
What you'll do#
- Support ongoing mixed methods research projects.
- Review, organize, and analyze publicly available datasets.
- Attend and take notes at coalition and partner organization meetings.
- Prepare data to inform public policy advocacy.
- Assist with scheduling meetings with internal and external partners.
- Provide support for planned events and other related responsibilities.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a graduate school program for public health, sociology, political science, or a related social science field.
- Interest in applied social justice research and policy reform.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills.
- Familiarity with analyzing quantitative datasets to produce descriptive statistics.
- Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
- Experience with quantitative or qualitative analysis software is helpful.
Location & details#
- This position is based in New Orleans, Louisiana.
- The role follows a hybrid work schedule, requiring approximately 10 days in the office per month.
- The internship requires a commitment of 10 to 20 hours per week.
- Applicants may be asked to travel to Baton Rouge on occasion.
About Vera Institute of Justice
The Vera Institute of Justice is a nonprofit organization founded in 1961. It focuses on research, technical assistance, and demonstration projects related to criminal justice. The organization works to address mass incarceration, racial disparities, and issues involving law enforcement. It maintains offices in Brooklyn, Washington, New Orleans, and Los Angeles and employs 303 people.
How to get in at Vera Institute of Justice
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