5 Mitacs Globalink (GRI) research projects for Summer 2027.
1. Charting a lasting peace in Myanmar: How ASEAN can help
CRRIC’s Charting a Lasting Peace in Myanmar project is a policy-oriented research and partnership initiative that examines how a durable solution to the Rohingya crisis and Myanmar’s wider conflict can be advanced through root-cause conflict resolution, regional cooperation, and sector-based post-conflict stabilization planning. The project begins from the premise that prolonged displacement cannot be resolved through humanitarian assistance, resettlement, or refugee management alone. A sustainable solution requires conditions for safe, voluntary, dignified, and viable return, supported by political dialogue and credible reconstruction planning inside Myanmar, particularly in Rakhine State.
The project focuses on six interrelated sectors: education, health, agriculture, infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing. These sectors are treated not simply as development areas, but as potential foundations for peacebuilding, social repair, economic recovery, and future coexistence among affected communities.
During CRRIC’s April–May Southeast Asia research trip to South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia, the project team engaged universities, civil society organizations, refugee-support groups, ASEAN-linked institutions, diplomats, and policy actors. These consultations highlighted the need to clarify ASEAN’s role beyond humanitarian coordination and crisis containment. The project therefore examines how ASEAN can contribute more directly to conflict transformation, stakeholder dialogue, research collaboration, and reconstruction planning.
A key emerging focus is Indonesia’s potential leadership role within ASEAN. Given Indonesia’s diplomatic experience, regional standing, ASEAN institutional presence, and history of peace process engagement, the project explores how Indonesia could help convene dialogue, mobilize academic and policy expertise, and support sectoral research partnerships.
The expected outcome is a research-based policy framework for funders, ASEAN stakeholders, universities, and partner institutions, outlining practical pathways from displacement management toward a durable, regionally supported peace and stabilization process for Myanmar.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: My specialized research area focuses on conflict resolution, forced displacement, and post-conflict stabilization, with particular attention to the Rohingya crisis and Myanmar’s wider civil conflict. Through CRRIC’s Charting a Lasting Peace in Myanmar project and the April–May 2026, Southeast Asia research trip, my work examines how ASEAN can move beyond humanitarian management and modify its 5-pt consensus toward root-cause conflict transformation. I also study Indonesia’s potential role as a lead ASEAN country in advancing dialogue, sectoral reconstruction planning, and regional cooperation in health, education, livelihoods, infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing.
Student roles:
The student will support CRRIC’s Charting a Lasting Peace in Myanmar project through research, coordination, and policy support activities. Their role will include conducting literature reviews on ASEAN’s role in Myanmar, Indonesia’s potential leadership within ASEAN, the Rohingya crisis, forced displacement, and post-conflict stabilization. The student will help identify relevant Indonesian, ASEAN, and international policy documents, academic sources, civil society reports, and media materials, including Bahasa Indonesia sources.
The student will also assist with stakeholder mapping, particularly of Indonesian universities, think tanks, civil society organizations, ASEAN-linked institutions, and policy actors that may contribute to the project. They may help prepare short briefing notes, meeting summaries, annotated bibliographies, research matrices, and background materials for CRRIC and its partners.
A key part of the role will be to support analysis of how ASEAN can move beyond humanitarian management toward conflict transformation, dialogue facilitation, and sector-based reconstruction planning. The student will also contribute to research on Indonesia’s possible role as a lead country in mobilizing regional cooperation, academic partnerships, and policy engagement.
The student may assist in organizing consultations, preparing communication materials, and supporting follow-up with Southeast Asian partners engaged during the April–May project trip. In addition, the project envisages arranging two events in Canada to share findings, engage academic and policy audiences, and strengthen dialogue on ASEAN, Indonesia, Myanmar, and durable solutions for displaced communities.
Overall, the student will contribute to the development of research outputs, policy briefs, event materials, and the broader project report intended for funders, partner institutions, and policy stakeholders.
Skills required:
The student should have a background in political science, international relations, peace and conflict studies, law, development studies, human rights, or a related social science field. They should have strong research, writing, literature review, and policy analysis skills, with interest in Myanmar, ASEAN, forced displacement, refugee protection, and post-conflict reconstruction. Familiarity with qualitative research, stakeholder mapping, and regional diplomacy would be an asset. Proficiency in Bahasa Indonesia is mandatory, as the project requires engagement with Indonesian academic, policy, civil society, and ASEAN-linked sources and stakeholders.
2. Implementation of Human Rights Treaties: Challenges and Opportunities
The United Nations Human Rights Council has begun an intergovernmental process to draft an international human rights treaty on older people. This is a timely opportunity to assess potential implications of and implementation challenges of a binding international treaty to promote human rights of older people. This project will focus on Canada but the lessons learned will be of interest to other jurisdictions with similar legal systems. The first stage of the project will be literature review of barriers to effective implementation of international human rights instruments as well as implementation best practices. The second stage will be doctrinal research, in particular decisions at regional courts such as the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights. The aim is to examine how these courts use binding international treaties (such as the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities) and regional treaties (such as the European Convention on Human Rights). The third stage is document analysis, focusing on activities at the United Nations level, such as the Intergovernmental Working Group on Older Persons. The fourth and final stage concerns key informant interviews. The aim is to solicit feedback from Canadian advocacy organizations, professional associations and lawyers about their views on:1) lessons learned from the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities in Canada and whether these lessons can be applied to the implementation of a human rights treaty on older people (if and when it is negotiated and signed); 2) potential barriers or challenges to effective implementation of a human rights treaty on older people. It is expected that this project will make an important empirical contribution. The research findings will also enrich public discourse on the necessity and implications of a new international human rights treaty on older people.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: I conduct inter-disciplinary research on the use of legal rules in social policy (for example, care policies) and more generally, the regulatory aspects of the welfare state. As well, I have been researching on disability related topics, including the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, redress for harms experienced in institutions such as long-term care homes (nursing homes) and deinstitutionalization. My current research project cut across elder law and disability law and engages issues such as the right to legal capacity, the right to care and access to justice.
Student roles:
• Keep track of and summarize activities at the United Nations level, such as the Intergovernmental Working Group on Older Persons and the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• Keep track of and summarize decisions issued by regional courts such as the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights
• Conduct legal research (doctrinal research and secondary materials such as law journals)
• Synthesize social science materials (books, journal articles, newspapers, government documents)
• Conduct background research on potential interviewees
• Attend key informant interviews (subject to research ethics approval)
• Transcribe interviews
• Prepare communication and promotional materials for the research project
• Assist with project management (e.g. data management)
• Liaise with the graduate student research assistant on a related project
Skills required:
Demonstrated ability for legal research, for example, searching and browsing Quicklaw, Westlaw, Heinonline, and other legal databases and research tools
Excellent writing skills and verbal communication skills
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
Superior organizational skills and time management skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Powerpoint)
Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Knowledge of legal citation styles (e.g. Oxford Standard for Citation of Legal Authorities, Bluebook) an asset
Ability to use Zotero an asset
Knowledge and understanding of United Nations Treaty Bodies an asset
Interest in international law, health law / medical law, elder law or disability law
3. La reconnaissance préalable de de culpabilité (plea bargaining) devant la Cour pénale internationale : une procédure peu utilisée?
Dans ce projet notre but principal est d’analyse la peu d’utilisation de la procédure de la reconnaissance préalable de culpabilité (plea bargaining) devant la Cour pénale internationale (CPI). À cette fin, notre premier objectif est d’étudier le Statut de Rome de la CPI et surtout les débats sur l’article 65 de ce Statut lorsqu’il a été adopté en 1998. Notre deuxième objectif est d’étudier la jurisprudence de la CPI dans le but de voir en pratique comment cette procédure est appliquée. Notre troisième objectif est d’étudier les autres juridictions internationales (par exemple, TPIY et TPIR), pour constater si dans ces juridictions, cette procédure a été utilisée. Cette étudie pourrait aider à analyser l’efficacité et l’utilité de cette procédure devant une juridiction internationale surtout la CPI.
Selon l’article 65 du Statut de Rome de la CPI, on prévoit un compromis entre la tradition de Common Law et le régime droit civil, en instaurant une procédure appelée « reconnaissance préalable de culpabilité » proche du « plaidoyer de culpabilité » ou du « plaidoyer de négociation » (Plea Bargaining). Cependant, cette procédure instaurée au Statut de Rome ne conforme pas entièrement avec Plea Bragaining du système de Common Law. Selon le Statut de la CPI, un accusé pourrait reconnaître sa culpabilité et cela pourrait être le résultat d’une négociation entre le Procureur et la défense, même si rien n’engage la Cour (art. 65 (5)). Cela dit, c’est la Cour qui présente le dernier mot sur l’affaire, même s’il y avait une entente entre le Procureur et la défense. Cette procédure pourrait aider pour la lutte contre l’impunité en poursuivant les individus responsables de crimes internationaux graves. Dans ce projet nous souhaitons d’analyser l’application de cette procédure devant la CPI, surtout conformément aux principes d’une justice équitable.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: J’ai fait mes études en droit pénal et sciences criminelle. Ma thèse doctorale soutenu à l’Université de Nantes (France) portait sur le mineur en danger et la politique criminelle. Je suis spécialiste, tant en recherche qu’en enseignement, en droit pénal, droit pénal comparé, criminologie, théories criminologiques, délinquance juvénile, droit pénale des mineurs, droit de l’enfant et la politique criminelle.
Student roles:
Notre travail consiste à cinq étapes :
1) Nous étudions les débats en lien avec l’adoption de l’article 65 du Statut de Rome.
2) Nous étudions les décisions rendues pas la CPI et analyser les décisions dans lesquelles, la procédure de la reconnaissance préalable de de culpabilité est utilisée.
3) Nous étudions la littérature scientifique sur le sujet. Surtout nous analysons la place de cette procédure dans la doctrine du droit pénal international.
4) Nous étudions d’autres juridictions internationales et si cette procédure est utilisée devant ces juridiction.
5) Nous allons procéder à une synthèse des données et faire une analyse de notre sujet dans une approche juridique pénale.
La personne stagiaire travaille dans une ou plusieurs étapes de projet selon les consignes du superviseur.
Skills required:
Dans ce projet, nous sollicitons la participation d'une étudiante ou d'un étudiant en en droit, droit international ou droit pénal en préférence. Sinon le stagiaire en science politique pourrait être aussi accepté. Puisque plusieurs références sont en anglais, une connaissance avancée de l’anglais ( en plus du français) est requise dans ce projet. La compétence anglais est surtout au niveau de lecture.
4. Missing Persons Patterns and Trends
Missing persons incidents occur hundreds of thousands of times each year internationally and affect individuals, families, communities, and public institutions. While popular media often focuses on rare or extraordinary cases, most missing persons incidents involve complex social, health, and community circumstances. Missingness is frequently connected to broader issues such as mental health challenges, addictions, homelessness, family conflict, victimization, aging, institutional care, and social vulnerability.
This project examines patterns and trends in missing persons incidents in Canada using police missing persons data. The project seeks to better understand who goes missing, where incidents occur, which populations are most affected, and what factors contribute to repeated missingness. Particular attention will be given to identifying patterns across age groups, demographic characteristics, locations, and social circumstances associated with missing persons incidents.
The project uses criminological and social science approaches to explore missingness as both a public safety issue and a broader social phenomenon. Students will gain experience working with conducting literature reviews, identifying trends, and translating research findings into practical recommendations. Findings will contribute to evidence-informed prevention and policing strategies, public policy discussions, and a better understanding of missing persons in Canada.
The project provides an opportunity to engage with applied Canadian social science research while developing knowledge of public safety, social vulnerability, and community well-being in an international context.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: I specialize in criminology and public safety research focused on missing persons, policing, and community safety. My research examines patterns, trends, and risk factors associated with missing persons incidents, including repeat missingness, vulnerable populations, institutional involvement, service contact, and prevention opportunities. Working closely with police services, community organizations, and public safety partners across Canada, I use quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches to better understand why people go missing and how communities and public institutions can respond more effectively. My work aims to inform evidence-based policy, prevention, intervention, and public safety initiatives.
Student roles:
The role title of the student would be Student Research Assistant.
The student will work closely with Dr. Lorna Ferguson on an applied social science and public safety research project examining missing persons patterns and trends in Canada. Responsibilities may include conducting academic literature reviews; organizing and validating research data; assisting with descriptive statistical analyses; identifying demographic, geographic, and situational patterns within missing persons incidents; preparing summaries of findings; and contributing to research reports, presentations, and knowledge mobilization products.
The student may also assist with examining patterns associated with vulnerable populations, repeat missingness, institutional involvement, and service-contact locations. Additional responsibilities may include policy scans, environmental scans, citation management, data visualization, and supporting the development of conference presentations and academic publications.
The role is designed to provide hands-on research training in applied social science research, administrative data analysis, and knowledge mobilization. Students will gain experience working with large-scale real-world datasets while developing practical research skills that can be applied across criminology, sociology, public policy, public health, and related fields. Regular mentorship and supervision will be provided throughout the placement.
Skills required:
Students should have an interest in criminology, sociology, psychology, public policy, public health, social work, geography, data science, or related disciplines. Experience with qualitative or quantitative research methods is beneficial but not required. Strong written communication, organization, attention to detail, and critical thinking skills are important. Familiarity with academic literature searching, data management, Excel, SPSS, R, GIS, NVivo, or similar software would be beneficial. Students interested in social issues, public safety, vulnerability, mental health, homelessness, youth studies, aging, or missing persons research are especially encouraged to apply.
5. Quand l'IA pèse plus lourd : le droit à la rescousse de l'humain
Artificial intelligence is taking up more and more space in our lives. It shapes decisions about hiring, justice, healthcare, and immigration. Yet courts do not always have the right legal tools to resolve the disputes that follow. AI is often opaque, controlled by large companies, and the people affected by its decisions end up in a position of weakness.
This project proposes an original way to address the problem. The idea is to look at a legal doctrine that already exists and works well: the best interests of the child. Canadian and international courts use this doctrine to protect children, because children are often in a vulnerable position compared to adults or more powerful institutions. The doctrine requires the judge to place the child at the centre of the analysis and to justify their choices.
The hypothesis is this: if this approach works to protect children, could it be adapted to protect any person who ends up in a position of weakness when facing an AI system?
The intern's role will be to dive deep into the doctrine of the best interests of the child: to understand how it emerged, how judges apply it, which criteria they use, and to identify the elements that could be transposed to the AI context. This work is a key step in the broader research project.
The intern will take part in concrete, original legal research that may influence how the law will frame tomorrow's technologies. It is also a great opportunity to discover Canadian law, legal bilingualism, and university life in Eastern Canada.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: Law and emerging technologies, with a focus on artificial intelligence. The research explores how classical legal concepts — liability, fairness, the protection of fundamental rights — hold up or adapt when faced with opaque and powerful technical systems. It also examines the vulnerability of people in a world of increasingly automated decisions: who protects whom? How can courts keep humans at the centre of legal reasoning? These questions, sitting at the crossroads of law, ethics, and technology, are among the most exciting in contemporary legal scholarship.
Student roles:
The intern will join the principal investigator's research team full-time for 12 weeks at the Faculty of Law of the Université de Moncton. They will work on the doctrine of the best interests of the child and contribute directly to the advancement of the research project.
Their main tasks will be:
Research Canadian and international case law that applies the doctrine of the best interests of the child, using major legal databases (CanLII, Westlaw, LexisNexis).
Identify and organize relevant legal scholarship (articles, books) and applicable international instruments.
Classify sources using an analytical grid provided by the supervisor: what the doctrine is for, how it works, which criteria judges use.
Prepare clear reading notes and synthesis documents on the most significant decisions and texts.
Take part in regular research meetings with the principal investigator and discuss findings.
Supervision will be continuous: weekly meetings, detailed feedback, and hands-on training in legal research methods. The intern will also have access to the Faculty of Law's resources (library, workspace, methodological support).
By the end of the internship, the intern will have produced a structured documentary corpus and a synthesis report. These deliverables will directly feed into the next stages of the project and, depending on the intern's contribution, may lead to acknowledgement in a scientific publication.
The intern will leave with concrete experience in legal research, solid analytical skills, a deep understanding of a topical subject, and the experience of university life in a unique Francophone community in North America.
Skills required:
Undergraduate student in law, political science, philosophy, or a related discipline. Good command of both French and English: Canadian legal sources are available in both languages. Genuine interest in topics where law meets technology, ethics, or human rights. Curiosity, rigour, autonomy, and a taste for documentary research. No prior knowledge of Canadian law is required: the ability to learn and analyze matters more. Previous experience in research, children's rights, or fundamental rights is an asset but not mandatory. Curiosity is the main ingredient.