About the role#
Vera Louisiana is seeking a part-time Research Intern for the Fall 2026 term. This role provides support for ongoing projects focused on jail population reduction, community investment, and addressing the impact of the carceral system across Louisiana. The intern will work under the supervision of the Senior Research Associate to gain experience in applied social justice research and public policy advocacy. This position requires 10 to 20 hours of work per week.
What you'll do#
- Support ongoing mixed methods research projects, including organizing and analyzing datasets.
- Attend and take notes at coalition and partner organization meetings.
- Prepare data to inform public policy advocacy efforts.
- Assist with scheduling meetings with internal and external partners.
- Provide support for planned events and other related administrative responsibilities.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a graduate program for public health, sociology, political science, criminal justice, or a related social science field.
- Interest in applied social justice research and policy reform.
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills.
- Familiarity with analyzing quantitative datasets and identifying themes in qualitative data.
- Ability to show initiative and adapt to changing priorities.
- Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds.
Location & details#
- This role is based in New Orleans, Louisiana.
- The position follows a hybrid work schedule, generally requiring 10 days of in-office work per month.
- This is an unpaid internship designed for students to receive academic credit.
About Vera Institute of Justice
The Vera Institute of Justice is a nonprofit organization founded in 1961. It focuses on research, technical assistance, and demonstration projects related to criminal justice. The organization works to address mass incarceration, racial disparities, and issues involving law enforcement. It maintains offices in Brooklyn, Washington, New Orleans, and Los Angeles and employs 303 people.
How to get in at Vera Institute of Justice
Applying early is a distinct advantage when pursuing an internship at the Vera Institute of Justice, as recruiters often review applications before the pile grows. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, helping you get your materials in among the first. You will find that timing your application well can make a difference in how your profile is received. Reaching out to the recruiters behind these roles can also improve your response rates. Intern Insider surfaces the specific people managing the hiring process, which allows you to send a direct message to ask about the role or a potential referral. This direct approach often works better than sending a resume into a general queue.
