Prior to his appointment at Cornell, Hurd was an economic policy fellow at the Brookings Institution.
Hurd's research focus is on the modern labor movement, organizing strategies, and organizational change in unions.
Hurd is frequently quoted in mainstream newspapers and magazines.
Hurd has been a consultant for the Canadian Labour Congress, AFL-CIO, Department for Professional Employees, the Albert Shanker Institute, the New York State United Teachers, the Service Employees International Union, UNITE HERE, and the American Guild of Musical Artists.
Hurd serves on the executive committee of the National Center for the Study of Collective Bargaining in Higher Education.