During the spring quarter 2026, the Engaging Care Project, directed by Professor Kim England, is excited to recruit 1-2 undergraduate interns supported by the Halmo Geography Scholars Program. Students are expected to work 100 hours over the course of the quarter, and will be provided with $2,000.
The Engaging Care Project brings together researchers who are advancing caring labor research and expanding our understandings and theorizations of care. The Engaging Care Project focuses on the experience of workers, and frequently engages with local labor and social justice organizations in its research and public events. Currently the Engaging Care Project is focused on policy research to support enhancing basic labor rights for domestic workers in Washington State. Domestic workers (house cleaners, nannies, home care workers and gardeners) have long been excluded from many of the employment and labor protections enjoyed by other workers at the federal and state levels. Currently 12 U.S. states have passed "Domestic Workers Bills of Rights," and in the 2026 Washington State legislative session (January-May), a bill will be introduced to provide labor market protections for domestic workers, such as the right to minimum wage, meal periods and paid rest breaks, as well as prohibiting employers from retaining a worker’s original documents or other personal effects (these are rights that most other workers already have).
During the spring quarter the Halmo Scholar will work with Professor England to produce research and write documentation in support of the Washington Domestic Workers Coalition (a group of worker-centered community organizations). In addition, the Halmo Scholar will create a digital archive of materials for future research. Spanish language skills are a bonus but not required.
Tasks
- Assist in finding research, laws and policies from other jurisdictions that can be used to inform the process. Some of this will happen with the context of the Coalition’s agenda, and the intern will be invited to the coalition’s Zoom meetings.
- Tracking the status of the bill (usually there are "companion bills": one in the House and one in the Senate) as it is introduced and move on to the committee stage, onto the floor and perhaps pass and go to the governor.
- Viewing (either live or as archived videos) and transcribing key parts the hearings or floor sessions, including public comment periods.
- Compiling a database of news stories and social media posts about the bill, coding them and assisting in the analysis.
- Developing a public facing digital archive of materials, the specific form of which can match the skill set and/or goals of the intern (such as a website using WordPress or geospatial technologies, or a digital humanities platform; consider the example website for the Seattle Domestic Workers Coalition).
- Assist in writing a report about the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights after the conclusion of the Legislative session.
What you will learn
- Experience first-hand how a bill becomes a law in Washington State, including the committee process, rules making and the amendment process.
- Understand how labor and social justice organizations work in relation to state government.
- Learn to write easy to understand documentation for domestic workers, as well as for policy makers.
- Participate in the work of a coalition of worker-centered social justice organizations such as Casa Latina and Working Washington/Fair Work Center.
- Participate in collaborative research tasks to build a digital archive of materials documenting the journey of the bill though the Legislature.
The training during this internship offers a framework to track and analyze Senate or House Bills. The internship includes the opportunity to track another bill that appeals to your specific interests (in addition to those associated with domestic workers) with guidance and feedback from Professor England.
How you will benefit
- This internship includes deep engagement with local worker-led organizations who form the Coalition, alongside learning how to navigate the Washington State Legislature's procedures.
- The Halmo Scholar’s name will appear on publications, including the digital archive.
- This internship would be beneficial for anyone seeking a career in the labor movement, public policy or in local/state politics.