Research Opportunity: Systems Navigator Project with the Santa Clara County Public Defender
This research opportunity is part of the Urban Studies Research Program. Students who participate will work with their faculty mentor, and will also share their findings at a research symposium with students and faculty working on other projects. To learn more about the Urban Studies Research Program, see our website.
Project Title: Systems Navigator Project with the Santa Clara County Public Defender
Faculty Member: Matthew Clair
Abstract: I am seeking a full-time undergraduate RA who will work with my research team in summer 2024 as we pilot a "Systems Navigator" intervention in the Santa Clara County Office of the Public Defender. A Systems Navigator is a novel position within a public defender's office that seeks to improve communication and collaboration between lawyers and their clients. Our innovative project is based on earlier research on mistrust in attorney-client relationships as well as current research with the Court Listening Project (https://www.courtlisteningproject.org/).
- The RA would be tasked with one of two possible positions: (1) Conducting interviews and ethnographic observations of defendants and lawyers at the Hall of Justice in San Jose;
- or (2) Working and researching as a Systems Navigator in summer 2024;
- working and researching as a Systems Navigator will involve calling clients, helping to ensure they are aware of their pretrial conditions, helping them procure character letters and statements, and supporting them in court.
- In both positions, RAs will develop several skills throughout the summer, including: learning about a public defender's office, working directly with system-impacted people, and taking part in a policy-relevant research intervention.
Qualifications:
The ideal RA will have had prior experience with the criminal legal system (either direct or vicarious, i.e. a family member or friend) and will be able to speak English and at least one other language (preferably Spanish or Vietnamese). Excellent communication skills and responsiveness are a must. The RA will need to be able to commute to the Hall of Justice in San Jose most days of the week. All travel costs will be reimbursed.
The RA will need to live in the South Bay, preferably as close to the San Jose Hall of Justice as possible. An alternative plan for remote work will include having the PI work in person and share resources for the RA's remote (phone call, Zoom) engagement with clients of the public defender's office.
Qualified candidates will be interviewed in person at Stanford and possibly at the public defender’s office in San Jose.
Enrollment & Academic Standing
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Students must be current undergraduates in good standing at Stanford.
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Students must be enrolled in units while using VPUE grant funding, except during the Summer.
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Students may not receive both academic units and a stipend for any single project activity.
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Co-terms who have not conferred their undergraduate degree and who are still paying undergraduate (not graduate) tuition are eligible for VPUE funding.
- Coterm students should read this Registrar webpage for details on when you are switched to graduate tuition.
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Students may not be serving a suspension.
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Students may not be on a Leave of Absence (LOA) while using grant funding.
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VPUE does not use a GPA requirement for student eligibility, nor does VPUE encourage the use of GPA as a criterion for inclusion in a research opportunity.
Quarters Available:
- Summer, full-time
Stipend:
Full-time projects: $7500 + up to $1500 based on financial need and student qualification. Read more about stipends.
