Rights CoLab is working with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) to define a strengthened set of disclosure standards that investors can use to persuade companies to improve labor rights for both their workforce and workers in supply chains. The project has two components: 1) a data science project, and 2) an Expert Group.

The data science project uses natural language processing, machine learning, and other data science techniques on a wide range of data sets - including Form 10Ks, proxy statements, earnings calls, news and lawsuit data bases – to identify new relationships between labor-related human rights risks and financial materiality. The Expert Group provides subject matter expertise to the data project and makes recommendations on how to incorporate relevant findings into revised SASB standards to benefit workers while reducing reputational, operational, and legal risks for companies.

Full details on this project can be found on this page: https://rightscolab.org/project-harnessing-big-data/

Selected candidate(s) might receive a stipend directly from the faculty advisor. This is not a guarantee of payment, and the total amount is subject to available funding.

Faculty Advisor

  • Professor: Joanne Bauer
  • Center/Lab:
  • Joanne Bauer teaches Corporations and Human Rights at SIPA. She is Senior Researcher for the Business and Human Rights Program, at Columbia’s Institute for the Study of Human Rights and co-founded an international initiative on Teaching Business and Human Rights. In October 2018 she co-founded Rights CoLab, an independent initiative that innovates human rights strategies that bridge the fields of business, civil society, technology and finance.

Project Timeline

  • Earliest starting date: 9/6/21
  • End date: 5/31/22
  • Number of hours per week of research expected during Fall 2021: ~8
  • Number of hours per week of research expected during Summer 2022: ~10

Candidate requirements

  • Skill sets: Skill sets: familiarity with machine learning concepts; natural language processing experience is a plus; ability to program in a language like R or Python that has a robust data analytic toolset is required. Student eligibility: freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, master’s International students: eligible
  • Student eligibility: freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, master’s
  • International students on F1 or J1 visa: NOT eligible
  • Academic Credit Possible: Yes