The Independent Drivers Guild is sponsoring a participatory action research project to build knowledge amongst for-hire vehicle drivers about the political economy, ecology, and social impacts of the for-hire vehicle industry, and create a vision for systemic change. In the project, drivers will work together on teams to prepare reports about different industries linked to the for-hire vehicle industry, and assess feasilblity for use of various strategies for worker ownership in each sector.

 

Research Fellows will join weekly class sessions from 7-9pm at the IDG office in Brooklyn with drivers who have been elected to an advisory council for the project, and act as a research assistant outside of class for teams they are assigned to as they prepare their reports. The reports will be based on a standardized template adapted to the industry each team is exploring. Research Fellows will assign different research tasks to students and conduct some research themselves, and will work with students to synthesize that research and prepare the final written report.

 

Expected workload is approximately five hours per week (two hours in class, three hours remote or in the field) for 12 weeks.

 

Qualifications:

• Commitment to the labor movement

• Passion for social justice

• Experience working with immigrant workers

• Quantitative research skills

• Familiarity with Google Docs and other digital tools

• Multilingual preferred

• Experience with cooperatives and/or business development preferred

• BA or higher preferred

 

Compensation: $1200 stipend.

 

FHV drivers, women, people of color, immigrants, LGBTQIA individuals, people with disabilities, workers fired for union organizing, and others facing systemic barriers on the labor market are especially encouraged to apply.

 

To apply, send a resume and cover letter to IDG Education Director Erik Forman, erik@drivingguild.org