two people bumping fists

Are you an agent of change? Whether you are interested in gender rights, education reform, reducing inequality, improving labor conditions, or disability and inclusion issues in the workplace, the ILR School will provide a foundation to understand these and other social justice issues. ILR students not only explore these and other social justice topics, but also learn leadership and conflict resolution skills required to address them in communities, companies, and countries throughout the world.

Outside of the classroom, our students directly impact social and political issues on and off campus by leading organizations like Cornell Amnesty International , the Women’s Caucus, and the Cornell Organization for Labor Action.

ILR Social Justice Stories

Research Project on Worker Organizing Announced

“Achieving Greater Worker Voice, Equity, and Mobility: A Multi-Industry Study of Organizing Efforts and Their Outcomes,” will be led by Labor Education Research Director Kate Bronfenbrenner and MIT Professor Thomas A. Kochan.
Kate Bronfenbrenner headshot
Research Project on Worker Organizing Announced

Khary Pryce ’22

Student-athlete shares her ILR learning with the Ivy League sports community and across campus.
Khary Pryce ‘22 competes with the Big Red women's tennis team vs. Binghamton during the 2020 season.
Khary Pryce ’22

Caroline Manning ’22

Through a credit internship, Caroline researched the history of discriminatory hiring on New York City's waterfront.
Caroline Manning ’22
Caroline Manning ’22

Disability Studies Applied in NYC

ILR credit internships at OPEN DOORS also help students gain professional experience in the arts, grassroots organizing and justice initiatives.
Group of people in NYC holding a night vigil holding signs that say, "Nursing Home Lives Matter".
Disability Studies Applied in NYC

Andres Alvarado ’21

ILR senior shares his experiences as an ILRie in Ithaca and in New York City, where he worked with artists and advocates motivated by community building, gun violence prevention and disability rights.”
in the Coler Hospital Library teaching Peter Yearwood about using the Microsoft Office Suite.
Andres Alvarado ’21

Natalie Lilien ’21

ILR senior who has researched autism and employment says ILR gave her the confidence "to think outside of the box and not be afraid to share my ideas."
Natalie Lilien ’21
Natalie Lilien ’21