Join the research team supporting skill-building for lawyers bringing human rights cases against corporations in South Africa and Colombia from Autumn 2026 to Spring 2027. 

THE PROJECT

Research assistants will be hired to work with Kaushik Sunder Rajan, Professor of Anthropology, and with members of the Corporate Accountability Lab, Chicago. Under their guidance, research assistants will develop a strategic litigation skill share between a group of South African and Colombian lawyers who work on issues of business and human rights. This project is sponsored by the Pozen Center.


WHAT YOU’LL DO

Research assistants will be expected to attend a week-long meeting, likely in either Paris or Bogota (tentatively scheduled for the week prior to the start of Autumn Quarter 2026), during which plans for research projects pertaining to the skills-share will be developed by lawyers from Colombia and South Africa. The exact nature of the research will be determined at this meeting, but research activities could include:

  • Helping to survey and analyze relevant laws and histories of litigation pertaining to business and human rights in South Africa and Colombia. Likely areas of focus will include (but are not restricted to) class actions against mining companies, mining and land rights, protocols for community consent for extractive enterprise, use of regional courts for bringing human rights cases against corporations, and health and environmental impacts of extractive industry;
  • Conducting interviews with experts in the two countries (likely by Zoom, though as the project progresses, a research visit to one of the countries may become necessary);
  • Compiling data and drafting memos that may be of use to participating lawyers;
  • Regularly meeting with relevant experts.
     

TIMING

Research assistants will by attending a week-long meeting, likely in either Paris or Bogota, held in the week prior to the start of Autumn Quarter. The meeting time and place may change depending on the availability of lawyers from abroad. After the initial week of meetings, the commitment will average four to six hours per week during Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarters. Work will be done independently or at the Chicago offices of Corporate Accountability Lab.

ELIGIBILITY

Applications are welcome from undergraduates across UChicago. Preference will be given to those who will be third- and fourth-year undergraduates in 2026-27. At least one of the research assistants should have a working knowledge of Spanish.

COMPENSATION

Undergraduates will be paid $19/hour. Work-study students are encouraged to apply.

APPLICATION

Submit online application by May 10, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CST. 

Email Adam Avrushin ([email protected]) with questions.