MDRC

MDRC is committed to finding solutions to some of the most difficult problems facing the nation — from reducing poverty and bolstering economic mobility to improving public education and college graduation rates. We design promising new interventions, evaluate existing programs using the highest research standards, and provide technical assistance to build better programs and deliver effective interventions at scale. To advance our mission, we must recruit and retain staff that encompass a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives, ensure equity in our policies and practices, and build a culture of inclusion, in which all of our staff feel welcome and valued. Promoting these values at MDRC improves the quality and relevance of our research, as well as the daily experiences of our staff.

As researchers who use rigorous methods to learn about policies and programs, we know that measurement is fundamental to diagnosing problems and tracking change. We also know that widely disseminating findings holds organizations accountable for refining and achieving their goals. Thus, we believe that to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion at MDRC, we should treat it as we would treat the problems we address in our research. This means careful measurement and transparency to promote accountability.

Efforts to Strengthen Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We know that building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization requires intentional efforts on the part of management as well as every staff member, and we have taken a number of steps toward achieving this goal. Below are a few noteworthy investments that MDRC has made to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization. (For more information, read MDRC’s Focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: From Commitment to Action.)

• The Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advocacy Council: MDRC’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advocacy Council (JEDI AC) was created in 1998 to raise awareness about, advocate for, and celebrate diversity at MDRC and to advocate for equity in the workplace. JEDI AC members serve for two-year terms and represent all departments and seniority levels. Standing committees on the JEDI AC include the Events and Communications Committee, the Research Committee, and the Recruitment, Hiring, and Retention Committee. The JEDI AC organizes events, trainings, facilitated conversations, and written communications about diversity, equity, cultural competency, and social justice, and it launches initiatives across departments within the organization to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout all areas of MDRC’s work.
• The Mentoring Program: This company-wide program promotes valuable mentoring partnerships within and across all departments, policy areas, and locations at MDRC. The goal of MDRC’s Mentoring Program is to enhance the professional development of staff by improving their understanding of MDRC’s mission and organizational culture, increasing their access to advice about career growth, promoting inclusion, and diminishing feelings of isolation. The Mentoring Program serves an important role in fostering a sense of community across MDRC. More than 100 staff members participated in the Mentoring Program in 2019 as either mentors or mentees.
• The Judith Gueron Scholars Program: Through our Judith Gueron Scholars Program, MDRC is actively developing a diverse recruitment pipeline by raising the profile of MDRC and the work we do among underrepresented communities and institutions. Specifically, the Gueron Scholars Program offers paid internships for undergraduate and master’s-level students, as well as doctoral fellowships (with stipends) for students engaged in dissertation research. The program is designed to introduce students to the organization, with a focus on those who may not be aware of the policy research field in general or MDRC’s work in particular. All interns and fellows participate in the intellectual life of MDRC by attending seminars and project meetings. Doctoral fellows receive the advice and support of MDRC’s staff in completing their dissertations.