MDRC Reviews

Very high turnover, especially for junior staff/staff of color. Unclear standards for promotion, little room for growth (again, especially for junior staff/staff of color). Lots of diversity "lunch forums" but little actual training to address micro-aggressions, of which I personally experienced many. I don't know if I could wholeheartedly recommend the RA position to young people of color in my network.

For research assistants and other junior staff, the experience is typically very stressful and patronizing. Research assistants are expected to "manage up" to senior staff which means that the pressures and responsibilities fall on the most junior people. Senior-level work is often off-loaded to assistants without the support to resources to help them to succeed or the recognition that they are working above their pay grade. The workplace culture is one of of toxic academia where only the voices of people in power with research accolades are heard.