Project Title: Human Rights Research Intern
Project Description:
Human Rights Research Intern (focus on Freedom of Information) The University of Washington Center for Human Rights (UWCHR) invites applications from undergraduates interested in forming part of our access to the information research team. We are recruiting interns to conduct research on immigrant rights concerns in contemporary Washington state. Since January 2017, UWCHR has conducted research in partnership with local immigrant rights organizations examining the collaboration between Washington state law enforcement agencies and Customs and Border patrol in ways that raise rights concerns. Selected students will be trained in the use of FOIA and Washington state records law for obtaining information from government agencies, and will be involved in the process of formulating new requests, tracking the progress of existing cases, responding to inquiries from government agencies as necessary, and cataloging the information received. Student researchers will contribute throughout the year to the Center's ongoing research, are required to attend weekly meetings and participate in team decisionmaking. This is a good opportunity for students interested in human rights and considering a future in law, policy, or research. It requires great patience and an extraordinary attention to detail; willingness to comply with often-dull bureaucratic procedures; and an interest in questions of government transparency and freedom of information. It also requires a commitment to human rights in practice: the best applicants will have an understanding of human rights that stems not only from coursework but from lived experience.
Minimum Requirements:
Required: -EXTREMELY DETAIL ORIENTED, organized, and reliable -Ability to commit 10-15 hours per week for at least two (ideally three) quarters in 2019-20 (ideally to begin in summer 2019) -Ability to work independently, in collaboration with a research team of faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students -Willingness to commit to project confidentiality agreement -Some previous familiarity with, and a serious commitment to, human rights in Latin America and/o immigrant rights in the United States Desired but not required: -Spanish language ability -Experience working for social justice Compensation/perks: -The internship can be taken for credit -For the right candidate, a stipend may be available ($3000/quarter) -Provides hands-on research experience -Possibly could lead to involvement in other areas of research, depending on student's interest and skills To apply, send a cover letter and cv/resume to Angelina Godoy at agodoy@uw.edu. Apply soon; applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.