Senior Research Associate

Summary:

The Research Institute on Social Equity (RISE) at the Center for Public Policy (CPP) in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs is searching for a Senior Research Associate with a strong background and interest in public policy and equity to work closely with the Director, Senior Research Associates, research team, and clients. The Senior Research Associate will support and advance equity-focused research projects working closely with the Director. This role involves conceptualizing studies, establishing research goals, designing and executing studies, managing data processing and analysis, and implementing research methodologies to address public policy equity issues. The Senior Research Associate will be responsible for upholding rigorous research standards, conducting literature reviews, contributing to grant proposal development, and drafting research papers and presentations for conferences. This position requires strong research skills, with duties carried out in alignment with the strategic goals of the institute.

The Wilder School’s mission is to:

• Engage, teach and inspire students and leaders to understand and solve challenges in our world.

• Advance research that informs public policy and decision making to improve our communities.

• Collaborate with communities through innovative partnerships to enhance quality of life.

The Wilder School's vision is to be the premier resource for public policy expertise and social equity in public safety, governance, and economic and community development. The 2024-2025 U.S. News and World Report rankings confirm the Wilder School among the top 15% of graduate schools of public affairs at No. 39. The School is also ranked No. 6 in Homeland Security Programs and No. 33 in Public Management and Leadership. The Wilder School has over 1,500 students and more than 11,000 alumni, with an established environment where diverse perspectives thrive and where a common interest in public service and the betterment of society unites these perspectives together. Our academic excellence attracts the highest quality faculty, staff, and students, and our graduates are leaders in their professions.

Our location in Richmond, the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, combined with our proximity to Washington, DC, provides numerous opportunities for engaged scholarship, teaching and community engagement activities. A creative, interdisciplinary School with both academic programs and training/research centers in the social sciences and professional arenas, we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve providing students and faculty with the knowledge, skills, opportunities and experience necessary for success.

For additional information about the Wilder School, please visit our website at wilder.vcu.edu .

Typical Duties

1. Conducting Equity Based Research:

• Work with the project team to conduct research and data collection for all research needs.

• Reach out to marginalized communities to conduct informational interviews and data collection.

• Analysis qualitative and quantitative data.

• Report writing.

• Creation of data reports for various clients and constituents.

• Work collaboratively with RISE and CPP staff to advance the mission of RISE.

• Keep current on equity trends and appropriate theories of change, methods reaching marginalized communities, publications, and initiatives.

• Other duties as assigned.

2. Project Management:

• Represent RISE at meetings when appropriate.

• Supervise graduate students on the projects.

• Represent the RISE at VCU and external events to promote the RISE mission.

• Review and work on all RISE related project proposals as assigned.