Student Research Assistant

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Overview
This is an exciting Student Research Assistantship (RA) opportunity for graduate students with an interest in current issues in Canadian higher education to develop research skills and gain conference and publication experience. Working with Principal Investigator (PI) Dr Emma Harden-Wolfson in the Department of Integrated Studies in Education (DISE), the RA will support the project ‘The “great brain race” in the post-pandemic era: Addressing Canada’s increased vulnerability in international education’. The objectives of this highly topical research are to 1) map post-pandemic policies impacting international higher education in Canada (focusing on Ontario and Quebec), 2) analyze the effects of domestic and international (geo)political dynamics on international students in Canada, and 3) build a foundation for larger-scale research in this field. Desk-based methods will be used to identify academic literature, selected Canadian news sources, and government announcements about policies or proposed policies in relation to international students in Canada.

Tasks
RA tasks/responsibilities include conducting the mapping of policies/proposals for international education at federal and provincial (Ontario and Quebec) levels by searching academic literature, selected Canadian news sources and government announcements to identify relevant studies/stories since 2022. Under the PI’s supervision, the RA will collate and file the findings and, after that, will produce a written summary of each policy/proposal. The PI and RA will work together to select 3-6 policies/proposals for detailed thematic analysis, and the RA will then conduct and write up the thematic analysis.
Training/resources will be provided on the theoretical and methodological frameworks/tools to be used in this research project.
The RA will have the opportunity to co-present the findings of the research at the Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education (CSSHE) annual conference being held at McGill between 12-14 June 2024, and to participate in the Congress of Social Sciences & Humanities within which CSSHE holds its conference. The PI will support the RA to apply for funding to cover the cost of conference participation.
Subject to their interest and availability and based on successful completion of this project, the RA will be invited to develop the findings into a co-authored article to be submitted to a peer-reviewed academic journal.
Selection criteria
You must be able to demonstrate how you meet all the essential selection criteria to be considered. Where applicable, you should also explain how you meet some/all of the desirable selection criteria. Preference will be given to graduate students in the Faculty of Education and/or with relevant research interests.
Essential
• Interest in Canadian/international/comparative higher education e.g., through own Master’s/PhD research or through work experience.
• Inquisitive and analytical mindset.
• Experience of effectively organizing materials (e.g., files) electronically.
• Self-organized and can give examples of having worked effectively with minimal supervision.
• Writes clearly and succinctly.
• Has sufficient availability (after accounting for study/work/other responsibilities) to dedicate to working on this project between late January/February and June/July 2024.
• Will be enrolled as a graduate student at McGill for the duration of the appointment.

Desirable
• Experience of conducting desk-based qualitative research
• Will be physically present in Montreal from 12-14 June 2024 and willing to present and actively participate in Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education conference.
• Can read documents in French.

Knowledge of French and English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level 4 (qualifier) on a scale of 0-4.

Hourly Salary:

$28.00

Hours per Week:

9 (Part time)

Location:

Education Building

Supervisor:

Assistant Professor

Position Start Date:

2024-02-12

Position End Date:

2024-06-20

Deadline to Apply:

2024-02-09

This position is covered by the Association of McGill University Research Employees (AMURE) collective agreement.

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected] .