Apply your research skills to social justice…and build your career!

“I am deeply indebted to the DataCenter for all I learned during my 8 month internship… Being at the DataCenter taught me about what skills I already possessed and pushed me to learn more. It changed how I thought about research and what my role could be in community struggles.”

—Rachel Gelfand, Smith College, former intern 2007-08

We welcome your interest in interning with us!

Apply Now! Interns needed for Summer/Fall 2011: Environmental Justice Camp: Click here to learn more and apply! (pdf)

View Research and Policy Internship Program Ad (pdf)
Volunteer Opportunity: Donor/Prospect Researcher (pdf)
We look forward to speaking with you to learn more about your interests and strengths, share what work opportunities we may have for your continued professional and political growth, and explain how internships work at the DataCenter.

DataCenter’s internship program is unique in that it is primarily dedicated to the professional, political and personal development of the interns as future leaders of a Research Justice Social Change agenda. We believe that when harnessed and wielded by people who have first-hand experience with issues they seek to address, information is power for community-led social change. Community organizations and low-income communities of color build political power when they: have unfettered access to information, research and analysis of issues affecting their well-being; are able to effectively challenge structural barriers to information; engage influential institutions to redefine the legitimacy of community-generated evidence in public policymaking; and legitimize community knowledge and research methods so they are considered on par with mainstream approaches to research.

The internship program is a key component of our 2010-2014 strategic priority goal: To “Strengthen the Capacity of the Grassroots” by harnessing the power of research. Committed students (and non-students) serving as interns are poised to take their lesson of research as a powerful tool for grassroots organizing back into their fields and communities upon completion of the internship, as vehicles to fulfill this goal.

The Research and Policy intern will work on projects in partnership with grassroots and community organizing groups working for social change. DataCenter works with organizations that focus on a broad range of issues including workers rights, housing rights, environmental justice, indigenous people’s rights, immigrant rights, youth strategy and criminal justice. We support their campaigns through capacity building and strategic research. We conduct trainings, plan community-based documentation project and conduct strategic research. Projects vary in terms of issue area and methodology and interns will be placed based on their interest and experience as well as organizational needs.

Positions available throughout the year.

• Amazing networking opportunity
• Professional development
• Work-study, community service hours and class credits welcome;
• Great professional & academic reference
• Work remotely or on-site (Downtown Oakland)
• Flexible hours
• Flexible workplan
• Progressive & multicultural office/staff culture

View Research and Policy Internship Program Ad (pdf)
Volunteer Opportunity: Donor/Prospect Researcher (pdf)

Fired up about Research?
Contact Jay Donahue:
jay@datacenter.org
(510) 835-4692 ext. 307

Interested in Communications, Fundraising,
or want to share your ideas with us?
Contact Anne Ryan:
anne@datacenter.org
(510) 835-4692 ext. 310