About Us...

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 The Labor and Worklife Program (LWP) is Harvard University’s forum for research and teaching on the world of work and its implications for society. Located at the Harvard Law School, the LWP brings together scholars and policy experts from a variety of disciplines to analyze critical labor issues in the law, economy, and society. The LWP also provides unique education for labor leaders throughout the world via the oldest executive training program at Harvard University, the Harvard Trade Union Program, founded in 1942. As a multidisciplinary research and policy network, the LWP organizes projects and programs that seek to understand critical changes in labor markets and labor law, and to analyze the role of unions, business, and government as they affect the world of work. By engaging scholars, students, and members of the labor community, the program coordinates legal, educational, and cultural activities designed to improve the quality of work life.

The faculty, staff, and research associates of the Program include some of the nation’s premier scholars of labor studies and an array of internationally renowned intellectuals. The executive training program (HTUP) works closely with trade unions around the world to bring excellence in labor education to trade union leadership. The LWP regularly holds forums, conferences, and discussion groups on labor issues of concern to business, unions, and the government.

Labor & Worklife Program 2009 Annual Report

Since joining the Harvard Law School in September 2002, the Labor and Worklife Program (LWP) has sought to integrate its work with the Law School’s mission and strategic plan, to involve law students interested in labor and employment in all of its activities, and to set out an ambitious plan for new research, practitioner engagement and public policy initiatives. With its focus on the world of work and workers, and encompassing the Harvard Trade Union Program (an executive mid-career program for union leaders founded in 1942), the LWP has organized projects and programs that seek to understand critical changes in labor markets and labor law, and to analyze the role of unions, business, and government as they affect the world of work.
Click here to download the full annual report (PDF).