Other Projects
Call for Research Assistant
Project: Who Decides? Indigenous Resource Governance in Northern Canada
Commitment: 120 hours of work
Value: $4,260 ($35.50/hour)
Application Deadline: 31 October 2024
Results Announced By: 30 November 2024
Contact: Dr. Will Greaves, Department of Political Science: wgreaves@uvic.ca
Project Description:
This project examines the interactions between Indigenous and non-Indigenous actors in Northern Canada with respect to the governance of natural resource extraction. It explores how Indigenous communities, organizations, and governments pursue local interests in their interactions with state and private sector actors, and incorporates key themes in International Relations theory such as sovereignty and authority. The resource extraction sector highlights not just the need for innovative governance arrangements that recognize the rights of Indigenous peoples, but also the implications of these arrangements for effective policymaking. These shifting power dynamics lead to the question that forms the title of this project: how does Indigenous political authority affect who decides over natural resource development in Northern Canada?
The objectives of this project are to: (1) identify the conditions under which Indigenous actors in Northern Canada leverage their engagement in the resource extraction sector to realize their international and local priorities; (2) document the effects of Indigenous politics on other levels of government; (3) explore opportunities to support Indigenous self-determination in the resource extraction sector; (4) highlight the gendered and racialized dimensions of resource extraction and Indigenous global politics; and (5) address a gap in scholarship and political understanding of Indigenous political agency within global politics.
The co-principal investigators of this project are Dr. Leah Sarson (Dalhousie University) and Dr. Will Greaves (University of Victoria). It is funded by SSHRC Insight Development Grant 430-2020-00586.
Job Description:
This Research Assistant will conduct research to support the project, “Who Decides? Indigenous Resource Governance in Northern Canada.” The focus of this research is examining the role of Northern Indigenous political actors in natural resource governance and “paradiplomacy” with state and corporate actors. The Research Assistant (RA) will work under the supervision of Dr. Will Greaves to assist with the coordination and implementation of this project. The RA will assist with project administration; data collection, management, and analysis; and editorial assistance, and will contribute to knowledge mobilization activities based on the research findings such as co-authoring publications, writing op-eds and other commentary-style writing, and public presentations.
This position is for 120 hours of work anticipated between January-April 2025, with the possibility of renewal.
Applicant Requirements:
Applicants must be graduate students in a discipline relevant to this research project, such as Political Science, International Relations, Environment Studies, or Indigenous Studies.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. Indigenous and Northern applicants are strongly encouraged to apply, and lived experience in Indigenous communities or Northern Canada will be considered in the selection process.
Prior professional or academic experience related to Indigenous politics, natural resource extraction, or intergovernmental relations is an asset, but is not required. Reading and oral comprehension of English is required; additional language skills in French or an Indigenous language would be an asset.
Applications Must Include:
- A letter of application, no more than 2 pages, explaining how your academic, professional, and lived experiences and interests relate to this research project;
- A Curriculum Vitae;
- Names and contact information for two professional references
Evaluation and Adjudication:
Applications will be reviewed by the co-PIs for this project. We embrace Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) in our research activities. Successful applicants will be expected to complete the Government of Canada’s free online GBA+ training (approximately 1.5 hours).
Submission:
Please submit your application materials to Dr. Will Greaves at wgreaves@uvic.ca by 5 pm PST on 31 October 2024.