Sexual Orientation Public Policy Research Fellowship

In 2009, the Williams Institute will offer a Public Policy Research Fellowship to a recent graduate school graduate who is interested in public policy research and writing on sexual orientation issues. The Williams Institute is a national think tank at UCLA School of Law dedicated to advancing critical thought in the field of sexual orientation law and public policy.

Download 2009 Public Policy Research Fellowship Announcement (PDF)

Applicants should have a graduate degree in public policy, a social science discipline, statistics, law, or LGBT studies. Applicants should have demonstrated an outstanding aptitude for independent public policy and/or social science research preferably demonstrated through research and/or writing as a graduate or law student or through exceptional experience after graduate or law school. Fellowship candidates must have strong academic records and public speaking skills.

Applicants should also have knowledge of quantitative methods (experience with statistical software packages like Stata, SAS or SPSS is particularly helpful), strong research skills, and knowledge of LGBT issues. In addition, Fellows are responsible for a certain amount of general office work. Familiarity with Microsoft Word and Excel is required.

The Public Policy Research Fellow works as a general research assistant on a variety of research projects and reports. Research tasks may include public policy and legal research; collecting, checking and analyzing data; gathering information; and preparing reports and report graphics. Attendance at relevant legislative briefings, policy seminars and meetings is also an integral part of the fellowship program.

The fellowship program lasts one year, during which time the Fellow will:

• assist Institute staff with research activities as described above;
• work on their own research projects; and
• assist with other Williams Institute activities including publications and events.

Williams Institute research areas for 2009-2010 include:

• sexual orientation discrimination and anti-discrimination legislation;
• demographic and economic analysis of the LGBT community;
• tracking and preventing violence against LGBT communities;
• providing legal and economic support for LGBT parents; and
• securing legal rights and obligations for same-sex couples.

The unique features of this Fellowship include opportunities to:

• develop expertise in sexual orientation law and public policy;
• work with Williams Institute faculty and staff; and
• participate in the rich mixture of scholarly symposia, invited lectures, and conferences of the Williams  
  Institute and UCLA.

The Fellowship will begin in the summer or fall of 2009 and will last for one year. At the discretion of the Williams Institute, the Fellowship may be extended for an additional year. The Fellowship offers a salary of $40,000 per year and full benefits. No degree will be offered as part of the Fellowship program.

Please submit the following materials to the Williams Institute April 30, 2009:

• A cover letter summarizing your qualifications for the Public Policy Research Fellowship;
• A current resume;
• A graduate school transcript;
• Three letters of recommendation, including at least one from a recent professor;
• A list of published works, if any; and
• One writing sample.

Send applications and any inquiries about the Public Policy Fellowship to:

Public Policy Research Fellowship
c/o Brad Sears, Director
The Williams Institute
Box 951476
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1476
E-mail: sears@law.ucla.edu