The Boston University Center for Antiracist Research (“the Center”) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that convenes researchers and practitioners to find novel and practical ways to understand, explain, and solve seemingly intractable problems of racial inequity. The mission of the Center’s Policy Office is to identify racist policies and to ascertain, craft, and elevate evidence-based antiracist policies that can be embraced by communities, advanced by advocates, and implemented by policymakers and courts to create a more racially just and equitable society.

The Center’s Policy Office seeks to hire a Law and Policy Fellow who will support the Model Legislation Project. Many federal, state, and local legislators and administrators want to reduce or eliminate racial inequity, but do not have the capacity to collect data or analyze research in the manner necessary to create effective, antiracist legislation. The Model Legislation Project will draw upon the Center’s research and scholarship to meet this need, providing bill writing support and advisement for policymakers.

The Fellow will report to the Associate Director of Policy, contribute to a strategic plan that establishes short and long term goals of the Project, and identify tactics for achieving those goals. The fellow will collaborate with the Center’s staff to transform the Center’s research into evidence-based, antiracist model bills; build relationships with policymakers who are seeking to advance racial equity; track the adoption and implementation of the Center’s model bills by using the Center’s Racial Policy Tracker; submit comments to agencies regarding proposed rules and regulations that pertain to the Center’s legislative areas of focus; produce materials to educate the public about the Center’s model bills; present the Center’s model legislation projects to a range of audiences, including legislators, academics, government agencies, the press, and the public; and contribute to related Policy Office projects, including its Law, Policy, and Justice initiatives, as assigned.

Required Skills

The ideal candidate should have a J.D., master’s degree, or other advanced degree in government, public policy, or political science; 2+ years of legislative drafting experience required (additional experience preferred); demonstrate commitment to antiracism and interest in antiracist policymaking; must pay attention to detail; have the ability to collaborate with scholars from a variety of disciplines; have knowledge of the legislative and bill drafting process; have familiarity with social science research methods, and the ability to use/interpret research to create evidence-based legislation; experience in civil rights or social justice policy preferred; and experience drafting model legislation preferred.

To apply, please email resume/cv and cover letter to antiracistcenter@bu.edu with the subject line “Model Legislation Fellow.”

Please note all newly hired staff and faculty will need to be in compliance with Boston University’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Requirement within 30 days of date of hire. You must upload your vaccine documentation or request a medical or religious exemption ( instructions ). For further information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please visit the COVID-19 Resources site.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Required Experience

The ideal candidate should have a J.D., master’s degree, or other advanced degree in government, public policy, or political science; 2+ years of legislative drafting experience required (additional experience preferred); demonstrate commitment to antiracism and interest in antiracist policymaking; must pay attention to detail; have the ability to collaborate with scholars from a variety of disciplines; have knowledge of the legislative and bill drafting process; have familiarity with social science research methods, and the ability to use/interpret research to create evidence-based legislation; experience in civil rights or social justice policy preferred; and experience drafting model legislation preferred.

To apply, please email resume/cv and cover letter to antiracistcenter@bu.edu with the subject line “Model Legislation Fellow.”

Please note all newly hired staff and faculty will need to be in compliance with Boston University’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Requirement within 30 days of date of hire. You must upload your vaccine documentation or request a medical or religious exemption ( instructions ). For further information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please visit the COVID-19 Resources site.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.