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About the Institute

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. Learn more about all of our offerings.

Worker Institute

Core Offerings

The Worker Institute serves as a hub for policy research, publication, and training for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and activists engaged in the public debate to reduce economic inequality.

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Student Engagement

Student Engagement

The Worker Institute is committed to engaging Cornell ILR undergraduate and graduate students through our coursesresearch fellowshipsgraduate programs and other professional development opportunities.

 

Students on international experience trip
Learn more about our work with students.

In the News

Media Mentions

A Just Transition? On Brooklyn's Waterfront, Oil Companies and Community Activists Join Together to Create an Offshore Wind Proj

Inside Climate News
New York requires that all major renewable energy developments meet prevailing wage agreements and local or national procurement guidelines that encourage domestic manufacturing. But Lara Skinner, director of the Labor Leading on Climate Initiative at the Worker Institute, says other states are far behind.
A Just Transition? On Brooklyn's Waterfront, Oil Companies and Community Activists Join Together to Create an Offshore Wind Proj

NYC Gig Workers Are Organizing Against Rampant E-Bike Theft and Assault

VICE News
Maria Figueroa, senior extension associate at the Worker Institute, explains the grievances that led to protests against working conditions at DoorDash, GrubHub, and Postmates by more than 1,000 New York City e-bike delivery workers, known as Los Deliveristas Unidos.
NYC Gig Workers Are Organizing Against Rampant E-Bike Theft and Assault

Welcome to the 2026–2027 Cohort of the Union Leadership Institute (ULI)

On July 14, Labor Leadership Initiatives at ILR welcomed the 2026–2027 New York State AFL-CIO/Cornell University Union Leadership Institute (ULI) cohort.
ULI Class of 2026-2027
Welcome to the 2026–2027 Cohort of the Union Leadership Institute (ULI)

TPS We Are Home Report

The report entitled We Are Home; TPS Workers Belong Here, written by Patricia Campos-Medina and Natalia Navas, examines the experiences of Central American TPS workers in New York state and finds these TPS holders overwhelmingly view New York and the United States as their home.
TPS Report Launch
TPS We Are Home Report

Collective Representation as a Response to Worker Precarity in the Green Jobs Economy

Collective Representation as a Response to Worker Precarity in the Green Jobs Economy, hosted by ILR School’s Worker Institute in partnership with the Climate Jobs Institute, highlighted the need for community-driven approaches in developing high-quality green energy jobs and infrastructure.
Two technicians wearing hardhats, talking on solar rooftop
Collective Representation as a Response to Worker Precarity in the Green Jobs Economy

Lois Gray Innovation Initiative 

Lois Gray, ILR School faculty member

 

The Lois Gray Innovation Initiative was founded by labor pioneer Lois Gray to generate innovative thinking and solutions to problems related to work, economy, and society.

The Lois Gray Innovation Fund provide financial incentives for collaboration between resident and extension faculty in relation to priority programs of The Worker Institute.

It ensures faculty, researchers and students have the opportunity to fulfill the institute’s mission of advancing worker rights and collective representation.

Explore the initiative