Shorenstein Center Student Research Assistants
Current Openings
Research Associate for Professor Sharad Goel’s Computational Policy Lab
About the lab:
Professor Sharad Goel’s Computational Policy Lab at the Shorenstein Center at Harvard Kennedy School uses technology to tackle pressing issues in criminal justice, education, voting rights, and beyond. Leveraging advances in data science, the team studies the impact of policy choices at unprecedented scale, and builds algorithmic tools to guide high-stakes decisions. By bringing a computational perspective to public policy, the Lab aims to improve the lives of millions of people — especially those affected by inefficient and unfair systems and practices.
Project Description:
The Computational Policy Lab is conducting a novel randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of AI-based learning tools that leverage large language models (LLMs) for teaching and learning. This large-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT) will take place in Spring 2025 at two- and four-year colleges, with a focus on those that do not have access to Teaching Fellows or similar resources. During this study, our team will support instructors’ use of PingPong, an AI-enabled learning tool. We plan to focus on community colleges and other institutions serving socioeconomically diverse populations, as we anticipate these schools would disproportionately benefit from this new technology.
Duties and Responsibilities (include, but not limited to):
The Computational Policy Lab is seeking a Research Associate to support this work. The main duties and responsibilities for this position include the following tasks to ensure smooth experiment rollout.
● Communicating study details to instructors
● Monitoring platforms relevant to the project, including Qualtrics survey responses and a shared Outlook inbox
● Assisting with project materials such as informational forms
● Testing and refining PingPong chatbots for individual instructor use
This position is primarily intended to work over Harvard University’s winter recess, with the possibility of extension through the Spring 2025 semester. Please note that all work must be completed within the United States due to data privacy regulations.
This is a remote position, with a salary ranging between $20-25/hour. Expected weekly hours are between 5-15 hours/week. Please note that this position may be eligible for extension into the spring/summer if mutually agreeable.
To apply, please complete this form, which includes a request to upload a copy of your resume/CV, by 12/1/24. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Content Management and Social Media Research Assistant Positions
The Shorenstein Center is looking for students to gain practical experience working in web content creation and social media management. These two positions will work directly with the center’s core Communications and Events team, focused on two particular channels of the center’s communications outputs.
Social Media Research and Production Assistant:
The Shorenstein Center engages directly with its core external audiences of journalists and policy makers primarily through email and social media channels. We are looking for a very digital-savvy, creative Research & Production Assistant to join the team to help monitor our current social media channels, create native content (posts, graphics, and short video clips), and maintain a regular cadence of scheduled posts about our work and upcoming events, as well as helping the Communications team with launch campaigns for new publications and other research products. This person may also help with media monitoring and tracking interviews and other media hits for Shorenstein Center affiliated faculty, fellows, and staff.
Successful applicants for both roles will have an interest in media, technology, and/or public policy relating to the information ecosystem, be highly organized, reliable, and able to work independently between regular check-ins with the manager and team, and have excellent written and verbal communication skills. Students with experience in communications, digital media, and/or journalism are encouraged to apply, but we also encourage applications from people without this direct experience, but an excitement to learn from and be part of a collegial communications team.
RAs may work up to 20 hours per week, but we expect the average workload to be approximately 10-12 hours/week. RAs may start at any time during the semester, but are expected to stay in the position for at least 3-4 months (one semester) or more.
Pay: $22/hour
To apply for either role, please fill out this form. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
