Documenting the Impacts of Extreme Heat on Workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Layla Kwong, Professor
Public Health
Applications for Fall 2024 are closed for this project.
As temperatures continue to rise, workplace heat exposure presents an increasing challenge to occupational health and safety. This reality positions climate change as an important labor rights issue. Workers in developing countries will be among those most affected. Still, there exists limited research on the impacts of climate change on the health and safety of workers in these countries. And in the limited data that does exist, the perspectives of workers are often excluded. These voices are critical, as they help to provide a nuanced understanding of the scope of the problem; workers’ challenges and needs; and the pathways through which heat-related regulations are likely to affect workers. This study aims to (1) document the health and human rights consequences of occupational heat exposure across three high-heat-exposure industries (construction, manufacturing, and gig economy/delivery) in Dhaka and (2) explore worker perspectives and needs as they relate to heat adaptation practices in the workplace.
Role: Students will assist with coding interview transcriptions and creating a matrix using The Framework Method for qualitative research. This position can be in-person or remote.
Qualifications: Prior data analysis experience, interest in public health, climate change, and/or human rights, and willingness to learn and be meticulous is required. Prior knowledge of health impacts of heat is preferred. Knowledge of South Asian (particularly Bangladeshi) culture and politics is a plus.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Cara Schulte
Hours: 6-8 hrs
Environmental Issues Biological & Health Sciences