Research Assistant, Mapping Digital Geographies and Environmental Justice

Dr. Lauren Bridges is looking for a social policy researcher with skills in quantitative data analysis and/or geographic mapping, or a data scientist/skilled data analyst with an interest in social and environmental justice.

Main tasks would likely include:

• Analyzing largescale datasets sourced from industry consultants and public records (such as census or other demographic datasets)
• Data input and possible data cleaning
• Geographic mapping of digital infrastructures from a proprietary dataset
• Mapping social justice and environmental justice issues related to digital infrastructure locations

Depending on the candidate’s interests and skills, other work could potentially include:

• Policy analysis of taxation rates, labor laws, and environmental policies in specific locations
• Literature reviews of digital geographies, digital colonialism, environmental justice, racial capitalism, and ethical tech
• Interviewing policymakers, industry representatives, or environmental justice organizers 

About you

Below are some preferences, but you do not need to fulfill every qualification to apply.

• Familiarity with and/or interest in social justice informatics, social policy, social data science, and/or environmental justice
• Familiarity with literature in STS, media studies, critical geographies, critical data studies, social policy, and/or sociology
• Familiarity with GIS software, R, and/or python
• Familiarity with data visualization 

Eligibility/Other information

• This position is currently hybrid (remote and in-person meetings are both possible, though with preference for in-person during the semester.)
• To be eligible for this position, you must be a currently enrolled student at Harvard University.
• The time commitment would range between 5 - 15 hours per week, but with some flexibility as to when you wish to frontload hours.
• The period of work would be through the rest of the academic year, with potential to carry on into the summer (depending on funding).
• Unless otherwise noted, the hourly wage for the above positions is $21 per hour.
• No other benefits are provided.
• We do not have the ability to provide authorization to work in the U.S.

How to Apply

Please send your current CV or resume and a cover letter summarizing your interest and experience to Dr. Lauren Bridges (lbridges@cyber.harvard.edu) with the subject line Mapping Digital Geographies and Environmental Justice RA Application.

About Lauren 

Lauren Bridges, Ph.D., is a fellow at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, where she is currently working on a book about the social and environmental impacts of digital infrastructure development in the United States. You can read more about her work here: https://www.laurenebridges.com/