Fellow, Initiative for Democratic Renewal at Brooklyn College

Brooklyn College, in partnership with the Human Rights and Gender Justice (HRGJ) Clinic at CUNY School of Law, seeks qualified candidates for fellowship positions with the Initiative for Democratic Renewal (IDR). Fellowships are offered at several levels — Senior Fellow, Student Fellow, Part-Time Fellow, and Non-Resident Fellow — each described below, so that candidates with varying levels of experience and availability can contribute to the Initiative's work. In response to growing threats to democracy across the world, the Initiative for Democratic Renewal is being launched as a coordinated effort to strengthen legal institutions, defend public interest advocacy, and promote democratic resilience both domestically and internationally. Housed at Brooklyn College in partnership with the HRGJ Clinic at CUNY School of Law, a national leader in public interest legal education, the Initiative will engage in programming, research, advocacy, and coalition-building to protect civil society as a defender of democracy. Recognizing these pressures as part of a global authoritarian playbook, the Initiative will partner internationally with universities, community-based organizations, scholars, activists, and advocates to share strategies, build transnational solidarity, and reinforce democratic institutions across regions. It will also prioritize student engagement through internships, scholarships, and fellowships. Fellowship Tracks Senior Fellow — Paid, full-time. Provides intellectual leadership for the IDR project, exercising significant discretion and independent judgment in setting the agenda for, and leading, substantive work of the Initiative. Student Fellow — Paid, full-time. Supports substantive research and policy work connected to the IDR project, performing professional work that requires independent judgment. Part-Time Fellow — Paid, part-time. Supports educational and community engagement activities connected to the IDR project. Non-Resident Fellow — Unpaid, flexible, non-employee affiliation that recognizes the fellow's expertise and ongoing engagement with the Initiative. Fellows' views are their own and do not represent IDR, the HRGJ Clinic, or Brooklyn College. Across all tracks, the fellowship provides opportunities for academic and professional engagement in areas including legal education, public interest advocacy, policy, and community-based initiatives, human rights, global civil society, democracy, multilateralism, and rule of law, while contributing to the work of the Initiative under the direction of a supervisor. Key Responsibilities may include: Conducting research, writing, and outreach, ranging from substantive legal, policy, and empirical research (Senior and Student Fellows) to supporting research for briefs, policies, submissions, or educational materials (Part-Time and Non-Resident Fellows); Drafting written work products, including memoranda, reports, and publications, in support of the IDR; Assisting with, contributing to, or setting the agenda for and directing educational programs, workshops, convenings, and other events; Supporting coalition-building and engagement with community-based organizations, advocates, scholars, and other external partners, including representing the Initiative in external settings; Participating in meetings and discussions related to Initiative activities; and Other duties as assigned by the supervisor, consistent with the scope of the fellowship track. Qualifications: Demonstrated interest in public interest law, legal education, advocacy, policy, or related fields. Relevant academic, professional, community-based, or lived experience preferred. Strong research, writing, and communication skills. Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, and community partners. Demonstrated passion and commitment to the public interest and access missions of CUNY School of Law. For Senior Fellow candidates: recognized expertise and a substantial record of accomplishment in public interest law, legal education, advocacy, policy, or a related field, along with demonstrated ability to lead independent intellectual work and represent an initiative or organization externally. For Student Fellow candidates: demonstrated ability to conduct substantive legal, policy, and empirical research, and availability to commit to a full-time fellowship schedule of seventy (70) hours biweekly. CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.