Cory Runstedler

Graduate Assistant

Cory Runstedler is a Ph.D. candidate in Political Science at the University of Connecticut and a Graduate Assistant with the Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute. He holds degrees from the University of Waterloo (BA, Sociology, Honors), Wilfrid Laurier University (MA, Sociology), the University of Kentucky (MBA), and UConn (MA, Political Science).

At the Human Rights Institute, Cory’s research engages with the economic and social rights dimensions of labor law. His dissertation, “It’s About the People, Not the Package: Lessons from the Warehousing Sector,” examines how labor rights protections are codified and enforced across U.S. states and Canadian provinces between 2003 and 2023. By linking comparative labor law with union density and bargaining trends, his project highlights the discrepancies between de jure protections and de facto realities, and the broader implications for human rights enforcement.

Cory’s research is enriched by his professional experience in the logistics and warehousing industry in North America, which gives him a unique perspective on how human rights principles intersect with supply chain practices and frontline labor. His work has been recognized with fellowships and awards including the Human Rights Institute Dissertation Writing Fellowship, and the SERA-LSA Dissertation Research Grant. He has shared his findings at international forums, including the LERA Annual Meetings, and the International Studies Association.