Chair Message

Welcome to the new UCLA Department of Labor Studies!

Founded in 2025, we are the first labor studies department in the University of California system, and one of only two on the entire West Coast. Moving beyond the traditional focus on industrial relations, our dynamic program takes a broad and intersectional approach to the study of work and labor systems as central structures of opportunities and inequalities.

Drawing on the insights of sociology, economics, political science, gender studies, history, ethnic studies and the humanities, as well as the professional studies of law, and public policy, our faculty bridge academic and community knowledge production. Through long-term relationships with union, worker center and government partners, as well as with our renowned UCLA Downtown Labor Center and Labor Occupational Safety & Health Program (LOSH), our students have the opportunity to participate in community engaged research and internships to help build a critical understanding of the complexities of formal and informal types of work and labor activism.

Having the chance to take courses with both traditional academic faculty as well as practitioners, graduates of our program leave with an acute understanding of the economic, political, cultural, and social forces that shape the world of work. We are one of the most exciting and fastest growing majors (including double-majors) and minors on campus, and we invite you to take one of our classes and/or attend some of our events to find out why!

Chris Zepeda-Millan

Department of Labor Studies, Chair,

Associate Professor of Public Policy, Chicana/o & Central American Studies, and Labor Studies