How We Work
Our Approach to Research
Composed of expert researchers with diverse backgrounds and skillsets, from economics and data science, to sociology, program evaluation, and political science, LMIS is the only New York City-based entity devoted to conducting applied labor market research and making the findings relevant and actionable to mission-driven organizations nationwide.
Our research designs blend rigorous, inter-disciplinary, quantitative labor market data analyses with in-depth qualitative inquiry, such as interviews and focus groups. We complement these lenses with other types of data collection, such as surveys and literature reviews, to create a complete picture of labor market dynamics and trends, and describe how they can be leveraged by different populations and communities to promote stability and success.
LMIS’ approach to research upholds and builds on the commitment of The City University of New York (CUNY) to an accessible education and workforce landscape, ensuring that our research is guided by the principles of participatory action research (PAR), which emphasize collaboration and prioritize the knowledge of research participants and their right to tell their own stories, separate from the assumptions, beliefs, and biases of researchers.
Our Approach to Partnerships
LMIS’ partnership approach is inspired by our goal of strengthening the ecosystem of mission-driven organizations, and improving economic opportunity, mobility, and outcomes for the communities they serve. We integrate our labor market and research chops with our partners’ areas of expertise, working together to create innovative and actionable research, tools, and trainings on the industries, occupations, and emerging labor market trends that matter.
The customized scopes we prepare for each project reflect our process of collaborative goal-setting, identifying key research questions and milestones, and building the foundation for deep insights through regular check-ins and findings discussions. This approach provides structure to guide our collaborations, while allowing plenty of flexibility and space for brainstorming and exploration.
Founded in 2008 as a joint venture between the former NYC Workforce Investment Board and CUNY, LMIS has since evolved into a free-standing grants and contracts-funded research center housed within the Graduate Center and fiscally sponsored by The Research Foundation of CUNY, broadening our reach to a wide range of workforce and education stakeholders. Our partners include CUNY colleges and programs, city and state agencies, nonprofits, research organizations, unions, and philanthropies, as well as employers and internship/apprenticeship programs.
Our Team
In memoriam
Heather Sutton
It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of our colleague, Heather Sutton, Deputy Director of LMIS at the Center for Urban Research. Heather joined LMIS in 2019, bringing with her more than 15 years of experience in workforce development, nonprofit management, and a profound commitment to advancing equity and opportunity for underserved communities.
Heather was a tireless champion for children, youth, and families across New York City. Her work spanned early childhood education, K–12 support, college success, and career pathway development—each initiative rooted in a clear-eyed understanding of systemic barriers and a deep belief in the potential of every individual. Through her leadership, she forged meaningful public-private partnerships that created lasting impact and opened doors to economic mobility for countless New Yorkers. Her work was not just strategic—it was deeply personal and purpose-driven.
Her legacy lives on in the lives she changed—and in the example she set for us all. She will be deeply missed.
