Alison is a Senior Instructor in the Labor Education Program of the School of Labor and Employment Relations at the University of Illinois and is the founder and director of the Workers’ Rights Project, a university-based extension program focused on labor education for non-union workers. A proud member of the American Federation of Teachers and Chicago girl since birth, Alison spent a number of years as a community and labor organizer prior to coming home. As an economic researcher, Alison’s work centers on the modern-day degradation of job quality, especially the impacts of precarious working conditions, low wages, and variable and unpredictable work schedules on worker health, well-being, families and communities. She is the author of a number of research reports and policy briefs related to issues facing Illinois workers and has provided expert testimony to the Chicago City Council, the Illinois Legislative Assembly, and the International Labour Organization.