Term: Summer 2026 – Fall 2026 (Soc 320, Section 278)
Status: OPEN
Contact: Please contact Molly Clark-Barol at clarkbarol@wisc.edu and include a cover letter and CV. It is available for 2-3 credits.
Description: This mixed-methods action research project is in collaboration with a community partner: FREE, a statewide organization of formerly incarcerated women. We will be looking at factors related to the success or failure of legislation related to reproductive justice (“Dignity Bills”) for incarcerated women. The team will also include 1-2 justice-impacted community research fellows.
The project has two primary components. First, we are conducting a qualitative, comparative case study of several relevant state cases, conducting document analysis, interviews, and, in the case of WI, participant observation. Second, drawing on a novel 50-state legislative data set, we will conduct an event history to identify mechanisms of diffusion and innovation across.
Dissemination will happen through traditional scholarly products (students can have the opportunity to co-author), but will prioritize communicating and workshopping findings with our community partners.
Duties: We will have a ‘lab’ meeting/co-working session once per week, either virtually or in person depending on if the community research fellows are located in Madison. Otherwise, students will be expected to work in a self-directed and independent way throughout the week.
Requirements:
- Undergraduates will be expected to already have research training (eg SOC 357 HDFS 425, CSCS 570). More advanced coursework and/or experience in either qualitative or quantitative methods will be especially advantageous.
- Students can enroll for 2-3 credits. Students who can commit to both Summer and Fall semesters are preferred. There may be continued analysis and writing opportunities in Spring & Summer 2027, but students need not commit to that in advance.
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and a CV to Molly Clark-Barol at clarkbarol@wisc.edu. The ideal candidate would also be open to continuing with a second semester in Fall 2026.