Institute of Politics

Overview of Organization

The Health and Political Economy Project (HPEP) aims to build a just and inclusive economy that enables all people to experience health and dignity.

As a field catalyst, HPEP works to shift paradigms and build power to realize this vision. Paradigm-shifting seeds and socializes new ideas through scholarship and policy ideation. Power-building translates paradigm into real-world adoption through public engagement and strategic partnerships with government, elected officials, organizers, practitioners, and civil society groups.

Launched in April 2024, HPEP’s action is focused on three interconnected areas: capital, care and culture. HPEP is purposefully housed at The Institute on Race, Power, and Political Economy at The New School, given how foundational racial equity and mobilizing political power are towards a more just economy and health system.

Internship Summary

Join the HPEP team as we continue working to shift paradigm and build power to create an economy that enables health for all. The HPEP Research & Policy intern will conduct research and synthesize findings on a broad array of health and health-promoting topics - including financialization and corporate power in the health system, public options, and policy proposals like medical debt prevention and guaranteed income - and contribute to public writing to share this research with partners, policymakers, and the field at large. Internship deliverables may include research and policy memos, literature reviews, and policy proposals. The HPEP Intern may also support strategy development, convening, and communications work as needed. The small but mighty HPEP team is eager to welcome a detail-oriented, creative thinker committed to reimagining our health system to join us in building the field.

Responsibilities

General responsibilities include: Conducting quantitative and qualitative research on challenges, policies, proposals, and related to structural determinants of health Synthesizing research and policy ideas to share with HPEP Co-Chairs, Director, and Associate Director Supporting HPEP team with producing memos, reports, and presentations for partners, policymakers, and public consumption Collaborating with Institute colleagues and other partners to develop impactful proposals and initiatives Supporting project implementation Attending initiative development and implementation meetings and coalition-building as possible Assisting staff members in strategy development, event planning, communications projects, and other duties as assigned

Responsibilities will depend on skills and experience with research, writing, and project management, as demonstrated during the internship, as well as HPEP’s specific initiatives and areas of focus during the course of the internship. Preferred Skills Understanding of, investment in, and passion for health justice and/or political economy Strong oral and written communication skills Self-starter with strong time management and ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously Effective team player with a positive attitude. Proficient in data analysis. Proficiency in Excel and keen attention to detail. Collaboration skills

About the Supervisor:

Mara Heneghan is Associate Director of the Health and Political Economy Project at the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy, where she supports policy and programs to build an economy that enables health and dignity for all. Mara previously served as First Deputy of Policy in the office of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Director of Policy in the office of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, and Senior Strategist of Guaranteed Income at Economic Security Project. A devoted Chicagoan, Mara holds an MA from the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice and a BA in Public Policy from the University of Chicago. She is an Obama Foundation Scholar and a Fulbright alumna.

Location, Modality:

Our team is spread between New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago so much of our work is conducted virtually. The Associate Director (internship supervisor) is based in Chicago and would work to set in-person meetings and/or co-working sessions at a regular weekly cadence with the intern.

Start and End Date:

Summer internships will take place during the period of June 2 - September 26, with specific dates to be determined by the employer partner and intern during the interview process.