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World-class researchers, from a variety of disciplines, work here at the ILR School. Through the Center for Applied Research on Work (CAROW), we support research that solves practical problems, improves the lives of workers and informs policy-making.

We serve as an incubator for applied research. We provide funding and coordination for innovative projects and initiatives. Our network of affiliated faculty, researchers, and practitioners help guide and facilitate novel approaches to advancing how we work.

Our membership includes institutes, programs and initiatives that study work and endeavor to improve the world for workers and their families, employers, and communities.

Employment and Work In New York State

Empire State Poll

Every year researchers at the Cornell School of Industrial Labor Relations conduct the Empire State Poll to survey New York state residents about how work impacts their lives. 

New York skyline
Empire State Poll

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer the "future of work." It has arrived and having very real implications for work, labor and employment throughout the U.S. and globally. Yet, much is still unknown about how it is being deployed and where it can provide unique opportunities for businesses and workers.

CAROW is collaborating with ILR faculty, member institutes, and grantees to highlight research utilizing and evaluating the impact of artificial intelligence on work.

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Learn more

CAROW Stories

News, events and articles

Dr. Madeline Sterling, Manhattan doctor helping home aides prevent heart failure in a new training course

Spectrum NY 1
Dr. Madeline Sterling, a physician and researcher at Weill Cornell Medicine, started a program that specializes in helping home health aides teach patients be healthier, from reminding them to take their medication to teaching them about maintaining a healthy diet and identifying the warning signs for heart failure.
Denise Glenn
Dr. Madeline Sterling, Manhattan doctor helping home aides prevent heart failure in a new training course

Improving Working Conditions for Better Patient Care: ILR-Weill Cornell Research

An ILR-Weill Cornell Medicine collaboration highlights the benefits of prioritizing enhanced working conditions for frontline health care workers as a way to improve long-term patient care.
A nurse passes medication to a patient
Improving Working Conditions for Better Patient Care: ILR-Weill Cornell Research

Study: Disease-Specific Training Benefits Home Care Workers

Cornell Chronicle

New cross-campus research from Ariel Avgar and Weill Cornell Medicine shows that home care workers who have been trained in heart failure are more satisfied with their jobs and feel more prepared and confident working with heart failure patients.

A home health care workers helps a patient out of her wheel chair.
Study: Disease-Specific Training Benefits Home Care Workers

In the News

Media Mentions

Solving the Home Care Quandary

The New York Times
“It’s a crisis,” said Madeline Sterling, a primary care doctor at Weill Cornell Medicine and director of the Initiative on Home Care Work, housed in ILR’s Center for Applied Research on Work, about home care for the elderly. She also discusses recent clinical trials aimed at improving care.
Solving the Home Care Quandary

NYC takes booby prize as most ‘stressed-out’ city in the world — surprising absolutely no one

NY Post
The article expands on a report saying that New York City residents have a very high cost of living by citing the ILR School’s 2024-25 New York at Work Report, which used data from the 2024 Empire State Poll conducted by ILR’s Center for Applied Research on Work.
NYC takes booby prize as most ‘stressed-out’ city in the world — surprising absolutely no one

ALL THINGS EQUAL 9-30-25

607 News Now
In this audio interview, Ariel Avgar, ILR professor of labor relations, law, and history, and director of the Center for Applied Research on Work, speaks about the 2024-2025 New York at Work report from ILR Outreach, which includes the results of the latest Empire State Poll.
ALL THINGS EQUAL 9-30-25

Contact CAROW

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Contact CAROW

Get in touch

Center for Applied Research on Work

Cornell University, ILR School
Ithaca, NY 14853

Tel: (607) 255-4380
Email: carow@cornell.edu

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