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Undergraduate Admissions

Our flexible, interdisciplinary major lets students pursue a wide range of academic interests and careers.

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Graduate Programs

Study the workplace comprehensively with the world's highest concentration of workplace faculty.

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Professional Education

Invest in your career by learning from instructors who blend world-leading research with business-tested practicality.

Professional Education

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Undergraduate Programs

Our flexible, interdisciplinary major lets students pursue a wide range of academic interests and careers.

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Graduate Programs

Study the workplace comprehensively with the world's highest concentration of workplace faculty.

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Professional Education

Invest in your career by learning from instructors who blend world-leading research with business-tested practicality.

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Remembering the Triangle Fire

The Kheel Center, ILRies and Cornellians carry on the collective action legacy that grew from the Triangle Factory Fire disaster.

Cornell students at the Triangle Fire memorial
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ILR School Events

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Labor Economics Workshop: Ludger Woessmann

Ludger Woessmann (University of Munich) Can Patience Account for Subnational Differences in Student Achievement? Regional Analysis with Facebook Interests (with Eric A. Hanushek, Lavinia Kinne, & Pietro Sancassani) Abstract: Decisions to invest in human capital depend on people’s time preferences. We show that differences in patience are closely related to substantial subnational differences in educational achievement, leading to new perspectives on longstanding within-country disparities. We use social-media data – Facebook interests – to construct novel regional measures of patience within Italy and the United States. Patience is strongly positively associated with student achievement in both countries, accounting for two-thirds of the achievement variation across Italian regions and one-third across U.S. states. Results also hold for six other countries with more limited regional achievement data.

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Labor Economics Workshop: Ludger Woessmann

Joint Labor & Econometrics Workshop: Qiwei He

Qiwei He (Cornell) Estimating Matching Games Without Individual-level Data: Multidimensional Sorting in Government Recruitment Abstract: This paper investigates how various matching mechanisms influence government recruitment, taking the National Civil Service Exam (NCSE) — a primary method for recruiting entry-level government officials in China — as the empirical context. I conceptualized the NCSE as a Non-transferable Utility (NTU) matching mechanism where each candidate applies to one position and subsequently takes a meritocratic exam determining admission. An econometric challenge arises due to the absence of individual-level data in the NCSE dataset I collect. To overcome this challenge, I build a NTU matching model with two-sided heterogeneity and demonstrate its non-parametric identification using only position-level data, given instrument availability. Applying this model to the NCSE, I assume that candidates differ in terms of their ability and civic-mindedness, with the latter being undetectable in the exam. Upon estimating the empirical model, I explore the sorting pattern induced by the NCSE. In the counterfactual analysis, I introduce a strategy-proof mechanism as an alternative. In this mechanism, following the meritocratic exam, each candidate chooses one position according to their informed ranking, with higher-ranked candidates choosing first. Simulations show that the counterfactual mechanism more frequently matches candidates with similar abilities and civic-mindedness together in the same positions compared to the NCSE. This is because the exam uncertainty in a "first apply, then exam" system like the NCSE diminishes such sorting. Finally, I explore the potential impact of matching mechanisms on government performance by highlighting the pros and cons of adopting a "first apply, then exam" system (NCSE) or the counterfactual mechanism in the context of multi-dimensional sorting, emphasizing the crucial influence of civic-mindedness.

Localist event image for Joint Labor & Econometrics Workshop: Qiwei He
Joint Labor & Econometrics Workshop: Qiwei He

AI and Data Science in the Workplace

The role of AI and data science on the future of work is a growing emphasis for ILR faculty research and teaching.

New research by Professor Virginia Doellgast is an example of how ILR faculty are studying the effects of new technology on the workplace. In her latest paper, Doellgast explores how workers can be protected from algorithmic management and AI abuses.

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Artificial Intelligence Conscience
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“My time at the ILR School helped me understand both labor and management perspectives, which has proven to be a solid foundation for my career.”
Rob Manfred, Commissioner of Major League Baseball

Wendy Strobel Gower Challenges Assumptions at Work

Outreach Spotlight

With a professional mission of challenging assumptions about limits around disability, Wendy Strobel Gower has a long to-do list and a long list of accomplishments. 

Wendy Strobel Gower
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ILRies Change
the Future of Work.

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Catherwood Library

The Martin P. Catherwood Library is the most comprehensive resource on labor and employment in North America, offering expert research support through reference services, instruction, online guides and access to premier collections.

Studying in the window bay at the Catherwood Library
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ILR in the News

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Tompkins County Living Wage Sees an ‘Unprecedented’ Increase

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ILR researchers have calculated the 2023 living wage for Tompkins County - $18.45 per hour - is nearly 10% higher than in 2022, the highest increase in three decades.
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Tompkins County Living Wage Sees an ‘Unprecedented’ Increase

Shay, Park Named Miller Scholarship Winners

The annual awards provide funding to graduate students for conducting research.
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Shay, Park Named Miller Scholarship Winners

Apprenticeships Can Drive Inclusive Clean Energy Economy

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“The Climate Jobs Institute report addresses a core aspect of tackling the dual crises of climate change and inequality: ensuring that diverse individuals and historically underserved communities are included in the shift to high-quality, clean energy careers through union jobs,” said Lara Skinner, executive director of the Climate Jobs Institute.
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Apprenticeships Can Drive Inclusive Clean Energy Economy

Bronfenbrenner Partnering with HBCUs to Study Black Worker Organizing

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Kate Bronfenbrenner, Jobs with Justice and the Center for Economic Policy Research have secured a $450,000 grant from WorkRise for a project to improve economic security and mobility for low-wage workers and create a more equitable labor market in the South.
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Bronfenbrenner Partnering with HBCUs to Study Black Worker Organizing

Campus Life

A view of student life at Cornell University's ILR School in Ithaca, NY.

@cornellilr

November nights 🌙 #cornellilr #cornelluniversity #ilrschool

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This week, we’re highlighting Saba Vahdat ‘13! Since 2014, Saba has held executive positions at ELMO Realty Co. Inc., a real estate firm that specializes in multi-family development and affordable housing in New York City. She oversees many construction projects and was also the first person in her…

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We love welcoming prospective transfer students to campus! ❤️🐻 #cornellilr #cornelluniversity

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This week, we’re highlighting Alex Bores ‘13! During his time at ILR, Alex had a particular interest in empowering workers. Now, he is the Assemblymember for the 73rd District of New York, where he has undertaken many projects such as passing rent regulation and working diligently to make sure all…

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Hey ILRIEs, it's break time! Let's take a moment to appreciate each other and soak in the good energy. Take a moment to unwind, relax, and appreciate the downtime. Wishing everyone a rejuvenating and enjoyable time. Enjoy the break, ILR community! #ILR #Cornellilr #ILRIE’s

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Highlighting another one of our ILRies’ favorite study spots, the undergraduate student lounge! #cornellilr #cornelluniversity

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