About CLCS

The Center for Labor and Community Studies at the University of Michigan-Dearborn incorporates the Labor Studies Center, formerly housed at U-M Ann Arbor, and provides additional programs, research, seminars, and other activities for the community.

The Labor Studies Center in Ann Arbor opened in 1957 and has been providing educational offerings in the fields of labor relations. With collectively over 50 years of experience in unionism, labor relations, and education the current staff is dedicated to adult education that empowers students to keep pace with the changing global economy.

Southeast Michigan has been on the forefront of the subject of labor and education. The Center for Labor and Community Studies enhances the broad array of leadership and engagement programs currently taking place on campus. We run five major annual worker educational conferences as well as one-time programs. The Center also partners with Doing Development Differently in Metro Detroit around a community-oriented leadership development program called the Detroit Civic Leadership Institute.

Through engaged research activities, the center creates new opportunities for scholarship and community development in southeast Michigan.