Volunteering | Agard Research Associates Inc.

Volunteering at Agard Research Associates

Agard Research Associates Inc. is an independent, nonpartisan public policy research institute. Volunteers carry much of that work forward, contributing directly to original research, publications, and the projects that sustain the institute's daily operations.

Areas of involvement depend on skill, interest, and availability. They commonly include research assistance, source verification and citation review, editorial and manuscript support, working paper production and dissemination, communications, and coordination of convenings and workshops. Assignments are made under the supervision of the Director of Research and Programs and are matched to organizational need and to the volunteer's academic or professional interests.

Appointments are flexible and may be short-term or ongoing. Each is structured so that volunteers gain substantive experience in scholarly research while contributing to work of public value. Volunteers are expected to observe the institute's standards of research integrity, independence, and nonpartisanship.

All volunteer positions are uncompensated. ARA recognizes volunteer service as charitable service and will issue an acknowledgment letter on request for community service verification or personal records. Federal law does not permit a charitable deduction for the value of donated time.

Current Volunteer Openings

Outreach and Events Volunteer

The Outreach and Events Volunteer supports engagement efforts that connect Agard Research Associates Inc. with academic, professional, and community audiences. This role assists with planning and coordinating outreach activities, preparing communications materials, and supporting event logistics for organizational programs.

Reports to: Research and Programs

Time commitment: Flexible, approximately 4 to 6 hours per week

Responsibilities

Conduct preliminary research and gather sources on assigned topics
Review and summarize academic articles, policy briefs, and reports
Organize and format reference materials and bibliographies
Assist with fact checking and source verification
Support preparation of research summaries and internal briefs
Maintain organized digital files for ongoing research projects

Qualifications

Strong research and analytical skills
Familiarity with academic databases and citation formats
Interest in policy analysis, social sciences, history, or related fields
Attention to detail and ability to synthesize information
Proficiency in Microsoft Office or Google Workspace

Administrative Support Volunteer

The Administrative Support Volunteer assists with scheduling, document formatting, and coordination that keeps program operations running. This role offers practical experience in nonprofit administration.

Reports to: Assigned supervisor in the department of appointment

Time commitment: Flexible, approximately 2 to 4 hours per week

Responsibilities

Assist with scheduling program and project meetings and maintaining shared calendars
Format documents, reports, and correspondence
Circulate approved internal announcements and materials
Help organize and maintain digital filing systems
Assist with preparation of materials for program meetings and events
Perform general administrative tasks as assigned

Qualifications

Strong organizational and time management skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office
Clear written communication skills
Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively
Interest in nonprofit administration or organizational management

Research Archives Volunteer

The Research Archives Volunteer enters, verifies, and organizes research data and bibliographic materials for project archives and study databases. This role builds the infrastructure that makes research reproducible and accessible to project teams.

Reports to: Research and Programs

Time commitment: Flexible, approximately 2 to 4 hours per week

Responsibilities

Enter and update research data in project databases and spreadsheets
Review records for accuracy, completeness, and consistency
Organize and categorize digital research files and documents
Assist with data cleaning and formatting for active studies
Support maintenance of bibliographic and archival records
Follow data protection and confidentiality protocols at all times

Qualifications

Strong attention to detail and accuracy
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets
Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion
Organizational skills and ability to manage repetitive tasks
Interest in research support, data management, or archival work

Communications Volunteer

The Communications Volunteer prepares website content, newsletters, and digital materials for review and publication. This role supports the organization's commitment to accessible scholarship by keeping digital communications clear, accurate, and consistent with organizational standards.

Reports to: Research and Programs

Time commitment: Flexible, approximately 2 to 4 hours per week

Responsibilities

Enter and update research data in project databases and spreadsheets
Review records for accuracy, completeness, and consistency
Organize and categorize digital research files and documents
Assist with data cleaning and formatting for active studies
Support maintenance of bibliographic and archival records
Follow data protection and confidentiality protocols at all times

Qualifications

Strong attention to detail and accuracy
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets
Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion
Organizational skills and ability to manage repetitive tasks
Interest in research support, data management, or archival work

Research Support Volunteer

The Research Support Volunteer assists with source retrieval, literature review, and reference organization for active policy studies. This role offers direct experience in academic research methods and policy analysis. Volunteers work under the supervision of Research and Programs, and contributions are credited in accordance with the Publication and Authorship Policy.

Reports to: Communications

Time commitment: Flexible, approximately 3 to 5 hours per week

Responsibilities

Prepare and stage website updates for approval prior to publication
Draft and format newsletter content on the publication schedule
Review digital materials for errors, broken links, and outdated information
Produce graphics and visual content using organization-approved design tools
Organize and archive digital assets
Support content planning and editorial calendars

Qualifications

Strong writing and editing skills
Familiarity with website content management systems, with WordPress or similar experience preferred
Basic graphic design skills, such as VistaCreate or Canva, a plus
Attention to detail and commitment to quality
Interest in digital communications, marketing, or nonprofit outreach

Become a part of the mission

All volunteer appointments are uncompensated. To express interest, complete the interest form linked below.

Applicants selected for further consideration receive onboarding materials, including the Member Handbook, the Code of Conduct acknowledgment, and the Confidentiality and Data Protection Agreement, each of which must be executed before an appointment begins.

Questions may be directed to opportunities@agardresearchassociates.org.

Apply now

Volunteering at Agard Research Associates

Current Volunteer Openings

Outreach and Events Volunteer

Administrative Support Volunteer

Research Archives Volunteer

Communications Volunteer

Research Support Volunteer

Become a part of the mission

info@agardresearchassociates.org