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Worker Institute Field Trip

Our Mission

The Worker Institute at Cornell engages in research and education on contemporary labor issues, to generate innovative thinking and solutions to problems related to work, economy and society. The institute brings together researchers, educators and students with practitioners in labor, business and policymaking to confront growing economic and social inequalities, in the interests of working people and their families. A core value of the Worker Institute is that collective representation and workers' rights are vital to a fair economy, robust democracy and just society.

Advisory Council

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See our advisory council

People at the Institute

  • Executive Director, The Worker Institute

Dr. Campos-Medina is a researcher, RTE Faculty and labor educator focusing on the intersection of race, immigration status and worker’s rights.

  • Professor of Labor and Employment Law, ILR School, Academic Director, The Worker Institute

  • Administrative Manager, The Worker Institute

Maheya Afnan is the Administrative Manager for The Worker Institute within the NYC Extension/Outreach Division of the School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR).

  • Director of Research for Worker Rights and Equity, ILR Worker Institute

Anne Marie Brady is the Senior Extension Associate – Research Director, Worker Rights and Equity. Anne Marie holds a Ph.D.

Grabelsky is a senior extension associate with The Worker Institute and the Climate Jobs Institute.

  • Senior Extension Associate

  • Administrative Assistant, The Worker Institute

  • Program Coordinator

  • Interim Executive Director, The Worker Institute
  • Director of the National Labor Leadership Initiative

Kathleen Mulligan is the Director of Labor Leadership Programs, and Co-Director of the National Labor Leadership Initiative, at Cornell University’s ILR School.

  • Extension Associate, Labor Leadership Programs

Natalia Navas joins The Worker Institute as an Extension Associate – Labor Leadership Programs.

  • Program Coordinator

  • Senior Extension Associate

  • Director of Training and Curriculum Design, Equity and Worker Rights, ILR Worker Institute

Arianna Schindle joins the Worker Institute as an Extension Associate for Training and Organizational Development under the Worker Rights and Equity Team.

  • Senior Extension Associate, Labor Leadership Team

David Unger is a Senior Extension Associate for the Worker Institute’s Labor Leadership Team, where he works to help build the NYS AFL-CIO/Cornell Union Leadership Institute’s pres

  • Senior Researcher, Worker Rights and Equity, ILR Worker Institute

Zoë West, PhD, is Senior Researcher, Worker Rights and Equity (Senior Extension Associate).

  • Director of Workplace Issues at Cornell University's ILR Metro District Office in New York City.

KC Wagner is the Director of Workplace Issues at Cornell University's ILR Metro District Office in New York City.

Lively Panel Launches Worker Institute’s New Prevailing Wage Report

Prevailing wage laws protect New Yorkers from a race to the bottom, panelists said during the launch of the new report by Cornell ILR’s The Worker Institute on Sept. 12.
WI Prevailing Wage event
Lively Panel Launches Worker Institute’s New Prevailing Wage Report

Union Days 2023

Union Days begin March 15 with "Unions on Campus," a presentation and panel discussion with members from different university worker organizations.
United Student Group
Union Days 2023

ULI Graduation February 2023

The Union Leadership Institute (ULI) graduation was held at the Cornell ILR NYC offices on Feb 10. Participants celebrated their accomplishments with family and friends.
ULI Graduation 2023 group pic
ULI Graduation February 2023

Worker Institute Fellows

 

Through our Fellows program, the Worker Institute acknowledges the groundbreaking work of our external colleagues and partners in the labor movement. Worker Institute Fellows have been nominated due to their ongoing and continued work on key Worker Institute projects.

 

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See full list of fellows