Who We Are

 

Located at Brandeis University, the Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism is an independent reporting center that’s focused on violations of social justice and human rights.

 

We undertake major investigations into systemic problems afflicting “Statue of Liberty” populations: those who are poor, migrants, enslaved, voiceless, jailed, or forgotten, and those left behind as the gap between rich and poor becomes a chasm.

 

We carefully select unreported and underreported stories for maximum impact, assessing whether they are likely to inform decision-makers and public discussion.

The Schuster Institute takes a deep dive into complex, under-reported stories on issues of social justice and human rights.

The Schuster Institute, in partnership with the WGBH News, launched on September 8, 2014, a yearlong multimedia news series that chronicles the impact of busing and desegregation on Boston over the past 40 years. The series kicks off with never-before-seen historical documents and will include new reporting across radio, TV, and digital: Remembering Boston's Busing 40 Years Later

On this website, we offer a 360-degree view into our most complex investigations—complete with all the material that thought leaders, policymakers, advocates, and other concerned citizens might need to take action.

 

Each investigation’s microsite includes:
 

• An overview of our investigation and findings. We’ll always give you a summary of and links to our primary article or broadcast, along with the key findings and any additional information, photos, or stories that may not have made the final cut.
   

• Background and evidence. So that you can assess for yourself whether the conclusions we drew were warranted, we offer supporting evidence such as the underlying documents or FOIAs, recordings of particular interviews, maps, explanations and definitions, illustrations, and so on.
   

• Links to other relevant information. For more context, we will link to such resources as other reporting on the subject, industry background, additional data, and relevant laws, treaties, or regulations.
   

• Responses, bad or good. Whether those might be objections or critiques of our reporting or campaigns or laws undertaken to end the problem, we will let you know.
   

• Click through our site to learn more.