
The UCLA Strategic Research Lab will hold a five-day intensive training in using the power of Python coding to simplify tasks for union research. The training is designed by expert coder and prominent labor researcher Mellissa Chang, of Rank and File Research. Participants will learn how to:
Key Training Topics:
- Dynamically combine files and fuzzy match different data sources
- Automate the updating of periodically disclosed data
- Use APIs to bulk download data (e.g., contact information for worker lists or open government data)
- Build web scraping tools to collect information such as:
- Property listings
- Company information
- Government data
- PDFs or data sets that cannot be downloaded directly
- Clean, merge, and deduplicate data (e.g., worker lists, property records, company information)
No prior knowledge of Python is required. The training will start with the basics of Python on Monday, and by Friday, you will be building your own web scraping tools and compiling complex data sets.
Instructor: Mellissa Chang
Mellissa (she/hers) is a freelance campaign researcher and data engineer. Through her firm, Rank and File Research, she conducts data-informed campaign research and builds data tools for labor unions and non-profits.
Her experience includes:
- Research coordinator at the Private Equity Stakeholder Project, tracking eviction data and supporting tenant organizing campaigns around the country
- Tracking COVID relief spending during the pandemic, identifying recipients and linking them to federal regulatory violations, earning the DC Femme Tech Award in 2021
- Airports campaign researcher at SEIU 32BJ
Mellissa holds a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University. In her spare time, she builds automated mass transit systems in Minecraft.
Event Details:
- Dates: July 7–11, 2025
- Time: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Location: Los Angeles (TBD)
- Cost: $800 (includes training materials & refreshments)
- Meals: Not included, but local dining options are available
Apply Now!
Space is limited, and applications close on April 1, 2025. Don’t miss this unique training opportunity!
[Submit Your Application Here]
Email srl@irle.ucla.edu for more information or if you have any questions.
About The UCLA Strategic Research Lab:
The UCLA Strategic Research Lab is a capacity-building training hub and network for researchers from labor and community-based organizations. As a research unit of a public university, the SRL seeks to train strategic researchers for the common good. Besides the Coding Camp for Union Research, the Strategic Research Lab also holds its annual Strategic Labor Research Conference, one of the largest annual convenings of labor and movement researchers in the nation.
Sign up for email updates for other Strategic Research Lab events and trainings here.