Research Analyst

Overview

The Research Analyst for the Justice for Everybody Movement at Yale is responsible for leading applied research, legal and policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and strategic coordination related to equity and fairness in the legal system. This role supports Yale’s institutional efforts to examine and address systemic disparities in sentencing, juvenile justice policy, parole eligibility, and implementation of justice-focused legislation.

Operating at the intersection of academic research, legislative strategy, and community partnership, the Research Analyst produces policy-relevant research while coordinating engagement among faculty, legal practitioners, lawmakers, advocacy organizations, and directly impacted communities. The role requires independent research capacity, strong analytical and legal writing skills, and the ability to translate complex legal and policy concepts into accessible materials for diverse audiences.

• Conduct qualitative, doctrinal, and legal policy research related to equity and fairness in sentencing practices, juvenile justice reform, parole and post-conviction policy, and implementation of justice-oriented statutory frameworks.
• Analyze statutory schemes, case law developments, administrative guidance, and legislative trends to inform Yale-led research initiatives and public policy engagement.
• Prepare research memoranda, policy briefs, declarations, reports, and supporting documentation for academic, legal, and legislative partners.
• Contribute to the development, testing, and refinement of implementation tools, analytical frameworks, and policy guidance related to justice reform initiatives.
• Legislative and Legal Coordination:
  Collaborate with public defenders, civil rights and public interest attorneys, law schools, and advocacy organizations to support research-informed legal and policy strategy.

• Develop briefing materials, summaries, and talking points for policymakers, institutional leaders, and external stakeholders.
• Track legislative developments, regulatory actions, and litigation trends; assess policy impact, implementation barriers, and opportunities for reform.

• Coordinate and facilitate forums, briefings, convenings, and stakeholder meetings that connect faculty research with community knowledge and lived experience.
• Support coalition-building across academic, legal, policy, and advocacy networks.
• Ensure research initiatives reflect community-informed priorities and ethically incorporate perspectives of directly impacted individuals.

• Prepare quarterly progress reports and impact summaries documenting research outputs, stakeholder engagement, and policy outcomes.
• Track measurable indicators of project effectiveness, including participation levels, dissemination of research materials, legislative activity, and implementation milestones.
• Contribute to strategic planning, grant reporting, and long-term sustainability efforts for justice reform initiatives housed at Yale.

The Research Analyst requires independent judgment, research leadership, and sustained cross-sector coordination. The Research Analyst serves as a central liaison between academic scholarship and applied reform efforts, ensuring that Yale’s work in justice reform maintains both intellectual rigor and practical impact. The position advances Yale’s commitment to equity and systemic fairness in the legal system by producing actionable research, supporting evidence-based policy development, and strengthening partnerships that extend the university’s public impact.

Given the sustained nature of legislative reform cycles, ongoing implementation of justice-focused statutes, and continuous stakeholder engagement demands, this role reflects responsibilities consistent with a full-time professional research and policy position. The scope of work includes year-round research production, coordination of multi-party initiatives, event facilitation, legislative tracking, and institutional reporting.