Mentor Areas
Politics, Law, Business
Description:
The Business of Borders
Beth A. Simmons
Borders and Boundaries Project, Fall 2025
Perry World House, University of Pennsylvania
How do businesses participate in defining and implementing border security policy in the United States? This research project examines how private businesses define and influence United States national security threats, and specifically, US border policy and enforcement. We are interested in the products, services, and technologies that major firms have developed in response to US border security priorities and the reciprocal influence of such firms on border security narratives, policies and implementation on the ground (and in the air or cyberspace). In line with this goal, we have compiled a list of 20 businesses that apparently play a major role in this space, as evidenced by the size and frequency of contracts made with the Department of Homeland Security. Our goal this semester is to create profiles for these businesses, including their economic performance, lobbying activity, the geography of their operations, etc. Students will also be asked to collect information on how such firms contribute to a narrative of “the national interest” and how they can contribute to it, as reflected, for example, on their websites, annual reports, and related documents.
The expected commitment is 5 hours per week at the prevailing Penn Undergraduate RA hourly wage OR for commensurate academic credit (not both). RAs must be available to meet on three consecutive Monday nights at 7 pm (October 13, 20 and 27).We expect RAs to complete a minimum of three case studies by the end of the semester, which would be due December 10.
Preferred Qualifications
RAs will be asked to do online research and download/ compile various data. The ideal candidate will have some background knowledge about US border policy and/or businesses and policy formation. Knowledge of business organization is a plus. Experience working with US contracts data, lobbying data, or the Bloomberg terminal/ microeconomic data is valued but not required. RAs must be self-motivated, timely, and able to work effectively individually and on a research team. Basic knowledge of R (or Python/ Excel) is preferred but not required.
Project Website
Learn more about the researcher and/or the project here. https://perryworldhouse.upenn.edu/programs-and-reports/projects/the-borders-and…
Details:
Preferred Student Year
Second-Year, Junior
Academic Term
Fall
I prefer to have students start during the above term(s).Volunteer
No
Yes indicates that faculty are open to volunteers.Paid
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to paying students they engage in their research, regardless of their work-study eligibility.Work Study
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to hiring work-study-eligible students.