Saba Waheed

Saba Waheed is the director of the UCLA Labor Center. She has over two decades of experience working with unions, worker centers, non-profits and government agencies to advance worker-centered policy and research. She supports university partnerships to ensure strong connections between academic researchers and the broader community. Additionally, she is deeply engaged in the field, regularly participating in coalitions and tracking emerging trends to inform strategic direction.

In her previous role as research director, Waheed developed a robust infrastructure for producing high-impact, community-led research. She led more than 40 studies across a variety of industries, including domestic work, nail salons, retail, and restaurants. Grounded in the “research justice” framework she co-developed, Waheed’s approach ensured that workers most affected by inequities play a central role in shaping the research that represents them. For six years, Waheed led the UCLA Labor Studies course Labor Summer Research Program, training students in applied research methods and equipping them to analyze and communicate the social, economic, and political conditions facing workers and learners. 

Waheed serves on the Los Angeles City Workforce Development Board. She is also on the Advisory Committee of the UCLA Streisand Center – Center for the Study of Women and is the board president of the Los Angeles Pilipino Worker Center. 

Beyond research, Waheed is committed to narrative change through storytelling. She is an award-winning radio producer and writer, co-producing the podcast Re:Work and publishing short stories in literary magazines.

Prior to UCLA, Waheed served as the Research Director at DataCenter and as a researcher at the Urban Justice Center. She holds an MA in Anthropology from Columbia University and a BA in English and Religious Studies from UC Berkeley.