Effectué au sein du volet "Citoyenneté et Environnement" de la Chaire-réseau de recherche sur la jeunesse du Québec (CRJ), le stage vise à réaliser un état des connaissances sur le sujet de l'accès au logement et des choix résidentiels des jeunes – de quelle autonomie de choix disposent-ils? quelles sont leurs représentations et les préférences (milieu de vie, transport, voisinage)?, à partir de la littérature scientifique, de la documentation dite "grise" et d’entretiens avec des experts.
L’objectif concret consistera à produire une série de documents de synthèse et de mobilisation des connaissances sur le sujet. Le stage sera mené de manière concomitante avec une équipe d’autres stagiaires travaillant chacun sur un thème distinct, mais suivant la même démarche globale, sur laquelle l’équipe sera formée. Une formation complémentaire en mobilisation et transfert des connaissances sera également offerte dans le cadre du stage.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: Nicole Gallant est PhD en science politique. Sa programmation de recherche porte sur les processus de construction du rapport des jeunes à la société et à l’environnement 1) dans une perspective de socialisation, c’est-à-dire en tant que processus social formel et informel par lequel l’individu apprend à vivre en société, sous l’influence de multiples acteurs et facteurs; 2) en tenant compte de l’hétérogénéité des jeunes et de l’influence du contexte sur leurs dispositions, compétences et parcours d’autonomisation; et 3) en considérant que les interactions sociales construisant le jeune comme citoyen sont tant matérielles que symboliques.
Student roles: Dans le cadre de son stage, l’étudiant.e sera principalement amené.e à réaliser les activités suivantes : - Analyse la littérature scientifique sur le sujet, sur la base d’un inventaire bibliographie déjà réalisé et selon une démarche encadrée (définitions, facteurs, effets); - Identifier et analyser la littérature grise pertinente; - Compléter avec de courts entretiens auprès de quelques chercheurs spécialistes du thème; - Rédiger et produire de 3 à 4 outils de mobilisation des connaissances (rapport, feuillet de synthèse, infographie, balado, vidéo, etc.)
Skills required: - Études ou compétences avérées en sociologie qualitative ou dans une discipline pertinente des sciences sociales (sociologie, science politique, géographie, etc.) - Avoir obtenu d’excellentes notes dans les cours de méthodologie de la recherche en sciences sociales - Excellente capacité de rédaction et de synthèse - Esprit d’analyse - Sens de l'organisation, rigueur, méthode - Capacité d'initiative et curiosité intellectuelle - Sens de la démonstration scientifique à l’appui des interprétations - Maîtrise du français oral et écrit; compréhension de l’anglais écrit - Intérêt pour la sociologie de la jeunesse, un atout
This research project will conduct a quantitative study of Canada’s creative industries to better understand the opportunities, barriers, and conditions that shape career sustainability for artists, cultural workers, and creative organizations. The project will examine key sectors such as music, film and screen, performing arts, publishing, digital media, and cultural entrepreneurship, with attention to how creative workers build careers in a rapidly changing economic, technological, and social environment.
Using survey research, administrative data, labour market indicators, and sector-level datasets, the project will analyze patterns related to income, employment status, professional development, access to funding, geographic location, organizational capacity, and career progression. It will also examine how factors such as gender, race, disability, newcomer status, age, language, and socioeconomic background influence participation and advancement within the creative economy.
A central goal of the project is to generate evidence that can support more inclusive and effective policy, funding, and program design. Many creative workers operate as freelancers, entrepreneurs, or micro-business owners, yet face unstable income, limited access to capital, uneven networks, and changing market conditions. By identifying measurable trends and gaps, this research will help clarify where support is most needed and which interventions may contribute to stronger outcomes.
The project may also evaluate the impact of mentorship programs, grants, incubators, training initiatives, and industry partnerships on creative workers’ confidence, skills, networks, and economic opportunities. Findings will be used to inform recommendations for government agencies, arts councils, funders, educators, and industry organizations seeking to strengthen Canada’s creative sector. Overall, this research project aims to provide a data-driven understanding of the Canadian creative industries and contribute to a more equitable, sustainable, and globally competitive creative economy.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: My specialized research area focuses on quantitative research in the Canadian creative industries, examining how artists, cultural workers, and creative organizations navigate entrepreneurship, innovation, equity, and sectoral change. Using surveys, administrative data, labour market indicators, and program evaluation data, my work identifies patterns related to access, income, career sustainability, professional development, and inclusion. This research explores how factors such as gender, race, geography, disability, and socioeconomic background shape participation and advancement in creative sectors. By generating evidence-based insights, my work supports stronger policy, funding, education, and industry strategies that build a more inclusive and sustainable Canadian creative economy.
Student roles: The student will support the design, implementation, analysis, and knowledge mobilization activities for a mixed-methods research project focused on the Canadian creative industries. Their role will include assisting with the development of research tools, including survey questions, interview guides, consent forms, recruitment materials, and data collection protocols. The student may also help identify relevant academic literature, industry reports, government data, and policy documents to support the project’s conceptual framework and research design. A key part of the student’s role will involve supporting data collection and management. This may include helping to distribute surveys, track participant recruitment, organize responses, clean datasets, code qualitative responses, and maintain accurate research records. The student will be expected to work carefully with confidential information and follow ethical research practices throughout the project. The student will also assist with data analysis. For quantitative data, this may include preparing descriptive statistics, creating tables and charts, identifying trends, and supporting basic statistical analysis. For qualitative data, the student may help review interview or open-ended survey responses, develop coding categories, identify themes, and summarize key findings. Strong attention to detail will be important to ensure that findings are accurate, organized, and clearly presented. In addition, the student will contribute to writing and knowledge mobilization. This may include drafting literature reviews, preparing summary reports, supporting grant or ethics documentation, creating presentation materials, and helping translate research findings into accessible language for academic, policy, industry, and community audiences. Overall, the student will play an important role in advancing the project by supporting research coordination, data analysis, writing, and dissemination. This position will provide the student with hands-on experience in applied mixed-methods research, creative industries scholarship, and evidence-based policy and program development in Canada’s cultural sector.
Skills required: he student should have strong mixed-methods research skills and an interest in the creative industries, arts, culture, entrepreneurship, and equity-focused research. They should be comfortable working with both quantitative and qualitative data, including survey design, data cleaning, statistical analysis, literature reviews, interview or focus group analysis, and report writing. Experience with tools such as Excel, SPSS, R, NVivo, or similar research software would be considered an asset. The student should have strong writing, organizational, and critical thinking skills, with the ability to synthesize academic literature, analyze data, and translate findings into clear insights for policy, industry, and community audiences.
3. Designing inclusive workplace accommodations processes for neurodivergent workers
Supervisor: Ben Mortenson
University: University of British Columbia (Vancouver campus)
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Start date: 2027-05-03 (flexible)
Disciplines: Sociology, Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical Sciences, Occupational Health, Public Policy and Administration, Studies Science and Technology
The project builds on our multi-million dollar, seven year, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council funded Partnership Grant entitled: “A Partnership for Improving Mobility, Access and Participation (MAP) Among People with Disabilities”. MAP addresses community-driven research questions, and co-creates, evaluates, and implements innovative interventions that can inform the development of evidenced-based policies and practices to increase inclusion for people with disabilities.
Neurodivergent workers, including autistic, ADHD, and otherwise cognitively diverse individuals, experience disproportionately high rates of workplace stress, mental health injury, and job loss. Nuerodivergent individuals often benefit from accommodations that make their work safer, such as a flexible schedule, remote work, or an accessible sensory environment (lower lights, soundproofing, etc.). However, employers lack evidence-informed models for designing accessible workplaces and for implementing inclusive workplace accommodations processes. Instead, accommodations processes place workers at risk by relying heavily on individual disclosure, ad hoc adjustments, and managerial discretion. The project provides the MITACS student with the opportunity to help develop inclusive systems for neurodivergent workers.
This exploratory research project seeks to reduce risks to neurodivergent workers and the organizations that employ them by developing and testing a system-level, prevention-oriented accommodations framework that shifts responsibility from individual workers to organizational design. Using a mixed-methods, participatory design approach, our research pilot site will be the University of British Columbia Department of Human Resources’ Centre for Workplace Accessibility and Workplace Health Services. Our close community partner for this research project is the Nuerodiversity Change Foundation, a national neurodivergent-led design and implementation hub for system change. Our methodology includes qualitative interviews with neurodivergent workers and supervisors to identify risk points and protective practices; a review of organizational policies and procedures to understand how these systems impact neurodivergent employees; and co-design workshops with workers, occupational therapists, and employer representatives to develop system-level evidence-based accommodation strategies and models.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: Dr. Ben Mortenson (former Canadian Institutes of Health Research New Investigator and current Professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy) is an experienced mixed-methods researcher with over 200 peer-reviewed publications and more than $7 million in funding as a principal investigator. His work is centered on four main populations: assistive technology users, informal and formal caregivers, individuals with spinal cord injury, and residents in long-term care and focuses on four overlapping areas: assistive technology, social participation, caregiving and environmental sustainability. This community-based participatory research project will co-create resources with vulnerable community members to prepare for climate-related emergencies.
Student roles: The student will work with myself, my research coordinator and other trainees on the project (including undergraduates, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows) as part of a large research team. The project will be approved by ethics prior the student starting so they can focus on data collection and analysis. The student will need to adhere to ethical requirement for conducting research with human subjects. The student will need to maintain participant confidentiality and practice proper data storage and management techniques. The student will initially conduct interviews with other trainees, but may eventually collect data independently. The student will be responsible for ensuring auto-transcriptions of data collection sessions are accurate by comparing transcriptions with the audio files. The trainee will be involved in ongoing data analysis using qualitative analysis software that he or she will be trained to use. The student will also conduct related literature searchers (with support). There may be opportunities for the student to present the findings a local conferences or events if desired and be involved as an author on papers stemming from the data collection depending on their interest and ongoing motivation. The labs and projects where the research takes place have many training opportunities available for students (presentations on research related topics). The University of British Columbia also offers a variety of training courses, which the student will be able to take (e.g. qualitative data analysis using NVivo and systematic literature searching). We also offer a certificate in community-based research for trainees.
Skills required: We are looking for students who are interested in working collaboratively with organizations and individuals with disabilities to help improve the accommodations process for neurodivergent adults. This research will require students who are empathetic and have excellent communication skills. Previous experience doing library systematic data base searches, conducting qualitative interviews, focus groups or analyzing and interpreting qualitative data would be an asset, but training will also be provided in this regard.
4. Empowering Women Through Innovation: A Comparative Study of Frugal and Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Developed and Emerging Economies
Supervisor: Mahdi Tajeddin
University: St. Mary's University (Halifax campus)
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Start date: 2027-05-03 (flexible)
Disciplines: Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, International Business
Women entrepreneurs play an increasingly important role in driving innovation, sustainability, and economic development worldwide. However, they often face unique challenges related to access to finance, business networks, markets, and institutional support. Despite these challenges, many women entrepreneurs develop innovative and resource-efficient solutions that create both economic and social value.
This project investigates how women entrepreneurs in developed and emerging economies create innovative solutions under resource constraints and contribute to sustainable development. The study will compare entrepreneurial experiences across different institutional and economic contexts to better understand how women identify opportunities, mobilize resources, and build successful ventures.
The project will employ a comparative research design using secondary data, case studies, and semi-structured interviews with women entrepreneurs from selected countries. Particular attention will be given to frugal innovation, sustainability-oriented business practices, access to financing, and entrepreneurial resilience.
The findings will contribute to a better understanding of the factors that support women-led innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship. The project is expected to generate practical recommendations for policymakers, entrepreneurship support organizations, and educational institutions seeking to strengthen women's participation in entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems.
The project may lead to conference presentations, teaching cases, research reports, and academic publications.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: My research focuses on entrepreneurship, innovation, entrepreneurial ecosystems, and sustainable development. I am particularly interested in how entrepreneurs create and scale innovative solutions in different institutional environments. My recent work examines immigrant entrepreneurship, women entrepreneurship, open innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurial ecosystems. Through interdisciplinary research, I explore how entrepreneurs overcome resource constraints, leverage networks, and contribute to economic and social development. This project aligns with my broader research agenda on innovation, inclusion, and sustainable entrepreneurship in both developed and emerging economies.
Student roles: The student will work closely with the faculty supervisor to support a research project examining women entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainability across developed and emerging economies. Responsibilities may include conducting literature reviews, identifying relevant academic and practitioner sources, collecting and organizing secondary data, assisting with interview recruitment, participating in interviews, preparing interview summaries, and supporting qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
The student will also contribute to the development of comparative case studies of women-led ventures and assist in identifying examples of frugal and sustainable innovation. Additional tasks may include preparing research reports, policy briefs, presentations, and knowledge mobilization materials for academic and non-academic audiences.
Students will gain hands-on experience in entrepreneurship research, qualitative research methods, comparative international studies, and academic writing. They will have opportunities to participate in research meetings, contribute to conference presentations, and potentially co-author publications and teaching cases.
The position is designed to provide practical research experience while exposing students to current debates surrounding entrepreneurship, innovation, sustainability, and gender in both developed and emerging economies.
Skills required: Applicants should have a background in Sociology, Gender Studies, Psychology, Entrepreneurship, Business, International Development, Sustainability, Public Policy, Economics, or a related field. Strong communication, analytical, and research skills are desirable. Experience with literature reviews, qualitative research, interviews, data analysis, or report writing is considered an asset. Students should demonstrate an interest in entrepreneurship, innovation, sustainability, gender issues, or international development. Previous research experience is beneficial but not required.
5. Enhancing engagement of women and underrepresented groups in STEM
Are you a people person with a strong interest in enhancing broad participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM)? In this project, the intern will study participation and engagement of women and other underrepresented groups in geoscience fields as part of our efforts to enhance engagement of these people in STEM and study factors influencing their participation.
Project options:
1) Outreach focus (A): Develop 5-10 profiles of our alumni. These materials will be used for our website and outreach materials to provide role models for those who are considering geoscience careers or studying to become geoscientists. This project will include a literature review gathering examples from other institutions, networking to identify participants, interviewing, and constructing profile documents and web resources.
2) Outreach focus (B): develop posters on geoscience “lightbulb moments” or “fun facts” to enhance broader interest in geoscience. We will use the posters in our department, at outreach events, and/or for distribution to schools.
3) Conference project: Assist with a study exploring engagement and participation of geoscientists in conferences. The intern would assist with literature review, application(s) for ethics approval, study design, data analysis from previous work, interviewing participants and/or promoting participation in the study.
4) Mature student project: Assist with a study we are developing to examine educational and career progression of mature geoscience students who are caregivers to children or other dependents. The intern would assist with literature review, applying for ethics approval, study design, interviewing participants and/or promoting participation in the study, and data analysis.
Our overall aim for this project and our broader program of research in this area is to develop a set of best practices and resources to inform the creation of targeted interventions and support mechanisms to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion within STEM disciplines.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: In my research group, we study how microbes influence geochemistry in natural and engineered environments. In addition to my research work, I am actively involved in educational development for geoscience education at the first-year level and on developing open educational resources to enable more equitable access to geoscience education. Along with me, my colleague Dr Deena Salem in the Centre for Teaching and Learning, University of Regina, will also support the intern on this project.
Student roles: The intern will be expected to keep regular hours (9-5) in the office working on the project activities, with support from the supervisor, meeting weekly to daily to plan to address project goals. The activities will vary depending upon the project the intern chooses as described above, but all students will be asked to produce a poster to summarize their work, and a 2-page reflective essay on their experience at the end of the internship. Intern may also assist with outreach activities offered by our department during the summer.
Skills required: The ideal intern will be studying Geoscience, Psychology, Education, or Sociology, or a similar field. They should be excited about exploring issues in STEM education, diversity, and inclusion, and have strong research and analytical skills. They should be capable of reviewing and synthesizing academic literature and possess excellent written and verbal communication abilities. For projects 3 or 4, experience in designing surveys and research ethics applications would be advantageous. The student should have good teamwork skills, and be able to work independently and manage their time effectively. Proficiency in MS Office, and photography skills would also be an asset.
6. Exploring Preferences and Strategies to increase the Utilization of Adult Day Programs and Senior Community Centres by Black Older Adults in Manitoba
Supervisor: Blessing Ojembe
University: University of Manitoba (Winnipeg campus)
Canada’s population is aging alongside increasing ethnocultural and racial diversity, particularly across the Prairies. The Black population in Canada has grown significantly, reaching 1.5 million people and representing 4.3% of the total population according to the 2021 Census. As this population ages, the need for social connection and participation becomes increasingly important to mitigate loneliness, social isolation, and associated physical and cognitive decline.
Although loneliness negatively affects older adults across ethnocultural groups, Black older adults often experience compounded impacts due to racism, exclusion, and lack of belonging within existing programs and services. Senior Community Centres (SCCs) and Adult Day Programs (ADPs) are critical resources for promoting social participation, connection, and community integration among older adults while supporting families and caregivers. However, these programs often lack culturally appropriate approaches, leaving Black older adults feeling culturally unsafe and reducing their participation.
In Manitoba, little is known about how well ADPs and SCCs meet the cultural needs of Black older adults. This gap limits efforts to improve access and reduce social isolation.
This exploratory three-phase qualitative embedded case study will address this gap by examining the preferences of Black older adults, their family members, and service providers, while identifying best practices for co-designing culturally appropriate ADPs and SCCs in Manitoba. Guided by Ubuntu and Representational Intersectionality, the study will use interviews with Black older adults, family members, service providers, and community partners.
The study has three objectives:
1. Identify current availability, geographic location, accessibility, usability of ADPs and SCCs, key gaps, and challenges of existing ADPs and SCCs in Manitoba (completed already).
2. Explore the needs and preferences of Black older adults for culturally appropriate participation in these programs.
3. Co-develop practical resources and policy recommendations to improve representation, participation, and culturally responsive programming for Black older adults in Manitoba.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: My educational background bridges Social Work and Gerontology. My research area broadly explores social relational health, social determinants of aging, health equity, access, and representation for Black older adults and other racialized older adults across their life course. Collectively, my research questions the invisibilization of Black, racialized, and other equity-seeking older adults, creating an awareness of possibilities and opportunities for improving their overall quality of life and well-being.
In this current project, I am working on understanding preferences and strategies for improving Black older adults' utilization of available adult day programs and senior community centres in Winnipeg.
Student roles: The student should demonstrate the skills necessary to support the following research activities: • Support the co-development of culturally appropriate frameworks and practical recommendations for improving Adult Day Programs (ADPs) and Senior Community Centres (SCCs) for Black older adults, grounded in study findings and theoretical insights. • Assist with qualitative data collection by supporting the planning, coordination, and facilitation of interviews with Black older adults, family members, service providers, and community stakeholders. • Manage and prepare qualitative data through accurate transcription, secure organization, and ethical handling of interview materials and participant information. • Contribute to qualitative data analysis through coding and thematic interpretation using an intersectionality-informed and culturally responsive analytical approach. • Contribute to the identification of best practices for culturally responsive program design and support the co-creation of practical resources to enhance participation and representation of Black older adults in ADPs and SCCs. • Support knowledge mobilization by translating findings into accessible formats for academic, community, service-provider, and policy audiences, including recommendations for improving culturally responsive programming. • Engage collaboratively with Black community organizations, older adults, families, and service providers to build respectful, reciprocal partnerships that strengthen community-engaged research processes. • Engage in ongoing reflexive and ethical practice by critically examining positionality, power dynamics, and the respectful representation of participants’ lived experiences throughout all stages of the research process.
Skills required: I am seeking students in the following disciplines: Social Work, Sociology, Cultural Studies, Social Sciences, Nursing, Health, Gerontology or Aging.
7. Health and social needs of Francophones living in a rural minority settings
Supervisor: Delphine Grynszpan
University: Memorial University of Newfoundland (St. John's campus)
Location: St John'S, Newfoundland and Labrador
Start date: 2027-05-14 (flexible)
Disciplines: Sociology, Public Health, Health Studies, Social Work, Educ-Social Studies
La communauté francophone en Terre-Neuve et Labrador est composée de personnes d’origine acadienne, française et venant de toutes les autres communautés francophones du monde. Cette enquête cherchera a comprendre en détail les besoins et contraintes des membres de cette communauté.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: Je suis médecin de sante publique et ma recherche vise a mieux comprendre les besoins de notre communauté.
Student roles: Conduire l'enquete et participer a son analyse
Skills required: Parler francais Avoir de l'experience ou un interet pour la sante publique
8. Immigrant Entrepreneurs as Catalysts of Regional Growth: Building Competitive Advantage in Atlantic Canada
Supervisor: Mahdi Tajeddin
University: St. Mary's University (Halifax campus)
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Start date: 2027-05-03 (flexible)
Disciplines: Sociology, Tourism, Public Policy and Administration, Human Ecology
mmigrant entrepreneurs play a vital role in regional economic development by creating businesses, generating employment opportunities, introducing new knowledge, and building connections between local and international markets. As Atlantic Canada continues to attract newcomers, understanding how immigrant-owned businesses contribute to regional growth has become increasingly important.
This project examines how immigrant entrepreneurs build competitive advantage and navigate entrepreneurial ecosystems in Atlantic Canada. The study seeks to understand how entrepreneurs leverage prior experience, social networks, community resources, and institutional support to establish and grow their businesses. Particular attention will be given to differences across immigrant communities, sectors, and entrepreneurial strategies.
The project will utilize a combination of literature reviews, secondary data analysis, and qualitative research methods, including interviews with immigrant entrepreneurs and ecosystem stakeholders. The research will explore key themes such as entrepreneurial resilience, social capital, business growth, innovation, and access to support services.
The findings will contribute to a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing immigrant entrepreneurs and provide recommendations for policymakers, business support organizations, and community stakeholders. The project is expected to generate research reports, policy briefs, conference presentations, and academic publications while contributing to broader discussions surrounding entrepreneurship, inclusion, and regional development.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: My research focuses on entrepreneurship, innovation, entrepreneurial ecosystems, and the role of entrepreneurs in regional economic development. A significant stream of my work examines immigrant and ethnic minority entrepreneurship, exploring how entrepreneurs leverage social networks, prior experience, and institutional resources to create and grow ventures. I am particularly interested in understanding how entrepreneurial ecosystems can support inclusion, innovation, and business growth. Through interdisciplinary research, I seek to generate insights that contribute to both academic knowledge and evidence-based policy and practice.
Student roles: The student will work closely with the faculty supervisor on a research project examining immigrant entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial ecosystems in Atlantic Canada. The position is designed to provide students with an opportunity to apply their disciplinary knowledge while gaining exposure to entrepreneurship, innovation, regional development, and policy-related research.
The student will contribute to literature reviews, environmental scanning, and the identification of relevant academic and practitioner sources. Responsibilities may include collecting and organizing secondary data, supporting interview recruitment, participating in interviews, preparing interview summaries, and assisting with qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
The student will also contribute to research reports, policy briefs, presentations, and knowledge mobilization activities aimed at academic, practitioner, and policy audiences. A key expectation is that the student will bring their disciplinary perspective to the project while remaining open to learning from complementary fields such as entrepreneurship, innovation, economic development, and public policy.
Strong communication and writing skills are important, as students will contribute to research summaries, stakeholder reports, and scholarly outputs. Students may also engage with community organizations, entrepreneurial support agencies, and ecosystem stakeholders to better understand the opportunities and challenges facing immigrant entrepreneurs.
Throughout the project, students will gain experience in interdisciplinary research, qualitative research methods, community-engaged scholarship, and policy-relevant research. They will participate in research meetings and may have opportunities to contribute to conference presentations, practitioner reports, and academic publications. The project is particularly well suited for students interested in future graduate studies in entrepreneurship, innovation, public policy, migration studies, or regional economic development.
Skills required: Applicants should have a strong academic background in Sociology, Migration Studies, International Development, Political Science, Public Policy, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Business, or a related discipline. We welcome students who have demonstrated academic excellence in their field and are interested in exploring entrepreneurship, innovation, immigration, and regional development. Strong communication, interpersonal, analytical, and academic writing skills are essential. Experience with literature reviews, interviews, community engagement, qualitative analysis, or policy research is beneficial but not required. Curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to engage with interdisciplinary research are highly valued.
9. Insurgent Feminism: Community History-Making and Sex Worker Activism in the Global South
Supervisor: Amanda De Lisio
University: York University (Toronto campus)
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Start date: 2027-06-01 (flexible)
Disciplines: Sociology, Public Health, Womens Studies
I am a health geographer interested in large-scale urban development and its impacts on women (cis and trans*) in popular economies; especially sex work and sex worker activism in Rio de Janeiro. I am curious to look at the histories of sex worker mobilizing in Rio de Janeiro (or Brazil, more broadly) to better understand the subaltern urbanisms of women in movement work. This work involves a partnership with the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Coletivo Puta Davida and CasaNem.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: Urban geography; critical race and feminist theory; decolonial methodologies
Student roles: Help with translation, and surveying on the Brazilian literature (activist-based and scholarship) on topics of interest.
Skills required: Able to speak, write and comprehend Portuguese-Brazilian as well as English
10. Le rapport des jeunes à l’environnement (émotion, climatoscepticisme, etc.) : État des connaissances
Effectué au sein du volet "Citoyenneté et Environnement" de la Chaire-réseau de recherche sur la jeunesse du Québec (CRJ), le stage vise à réaliser un état des connaissances sur le sujet du rapport des jeunes à l’environnement (émotion, climatoscepticisme, etc.), à partir de la littérature scientifique, de la documentation dite "grise" et d’entretiens avec des experts.
L’objectif concret consistera à produire une série de documents de synthèse et de mobilisation des connaissances sur le sujet. Le stage sera mené de manière concomitante avec une équipe d’autres stagiaires travaillant chacun sur un thème distinct, mais suivant la même démarche globale, sur laquelle l’équipe sera formée. Une formation complémentaire en mobilisation et transfert des connaissances sera également offerte dans le cadre du stage.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: Nicole Gallant est PhD en science politique. Sa programmation de recherche porte sur les processus de construction du rapport des jeunes à la société et à l’environnement 1) dans une perspective de socialisation, c’est-à-dire en tant que processus social formel et informel par lequel l’individu apprend à vivre en société, sous l’influence de multiples acteurs et facteurs; 2) en tenant compte de l’hétérogénéité des jeunes et de l’influence du contexte sur leurs dispositions, compétences et parcours d’autonomisation; et 3) en considérant que les interactions sociales construisant le jeune comme citoyen sont tant matérielles que symboliques.
Student roles: Dans le cadre de son stage, l’étudiant.e sera principalement amené.e à réaliser les activités suivantes : - Analyse la littérature scientifique sur le sujet, sur la base d’un inventaire bibliographie déjà réalisé et selon une démarche encadrée (définitions, facteurs, effets); - Identifier et analyser la littérature grise pertinente; - Compléter avec de courts entretiens auprès de quelques chercheurs spécialistes du thème; - Rédiger et produire de 3 à 4 outils de mobilisation des connaissances (rapport, feuillet de synthèse, infographie, balado, vidéo, etc.)
Skills required: - Études ou compétences avérées en sociologie qualitative ou dans une discipline pertinente des sciences sociales (sociologie, science politique, géographie, etc.) - Avoir obtenu d’excellentes notes dans les cours de méthodologie de la recherche en sciences sociales - Excellente capacité de rédaction et de synthèse - Esprit d’analyse - Sens de l'organisation, rigueur, méthode - Capacité d'initiative et curiosité intellectuelle - Sens de la démonstration scientifique à l’appui des interprétations - Maîtrise du français oral et écrit; compréhension de l’anglais écrit - Intérêt pour la sociologie de la jeunesse, un atout
11. Le rapport des jeunes à l’intelligence artificielle – usages et représentations : État des connaissances
Effectué au sein du volet "Citoyenneté et Environnement" de la Chaire-réseau de recherche sur la jeunesse du Québec (CRJ), le stage vise à réaliser un état des connaissances sur le sujet du rapport des jeunes à l’intelligence artificielle (usages et représentations), à partir de la littérature scientifique, de la documentation dite "grise" et d’entretiens avec des experts.
L’objectif concret consistera à produire une série de documents de synthèse et de mobilisation des connaissances sur le sujet. Le stage sera mené de manière concomitante avec une équipe d’autres stagiaires travaillant chacun sur un thème distinct, mais suivant la même démarche globale, sur laquelle l’équipe sera formée. Une formation complémentaire en mobilisation et transfert des connaissances sera également offerte dans le cadre du stage.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: Nicole Gallant est PhD en science politique. Sa programmation de recherche porte sur les processus de construction du rapport des jeunes à la société et à l’environnement 1) dans une perspective de socialisation, c’est-à-dire en tant que processus social formel et informel par lequel l’individu apprend à vivre en société, sous l’influence de multiples acteurs et facteurs; 2) en tenant compte de l’hétérogénéité des jeunes et de l’influence du contexte sur leurs dispositions, compétences et parcours d’autonomisation; et 3) en considérant que les interactions sociales construisant le jeune comme citoyen sont tant matérielles que symboliques.
Student roles: Dans le cadre de son stage, l’étudiant.e sera principalement amené.e à réaliser les activités suivantes : - Analyse la littérature scientifique sur le sujet, sur la base d’un inventaire bibliographie déjà réalisé et selon une démarche encadrée (définitions, facteurs, effets); - Identifier et analyser la littérature grise pertinente; - Compléter avec de courts entretiens auprès de quelques chercheurs spécialistes du thème; - Rédiger et produire de 3 à 4 outils de mobilisation des connaissances (rapport, feuillet de synthèse, infographie, balado, vidéo, etc.)
Skills required: - Études ou compétences avérées en sociologie qualitative ou dans une discipline pertinente des sciences sociales (sociologie, science politique, géographie, etc.) - Avoir obtenu d’excellentes notes dans les cours de méthodologie de la recherche en sciences sociales - Excellente capacité de rédaction et de synthèse - Esprit d’analyse - Sens de l'organisation, rigueur, méthode - Capacité d'initiative et curiosité intellectuelle - Sens de la démonstration scientifique à l’appui des interprétations - Maîtrise du français oral et écrit; compréhension de l’anglais écrit - Intérêt pour la sociologie de la jeunesse, un atout
12. Les jeunes et les espaces verts – accès, représentations, bénéfices : État des connaissances
Effectué au sein du volet "Citoyenneté et Environnement" de la Chaire-réseau de recherche sur la jeunesse du Québec (CRJ), le stage vise à réaliser un état des connaissances sur le sujet du rapport des jeunes à l’environnement (émotion, climatoscepticisme, etc.), à partir de la littérature scientifique, de la documentation dite "grise" et d’entretiens avec des experts.
L’objectif concret consistera à produire une série de documents de synthèse et de mobilisation des connaissances sur le sujet. Le stage sera mené de manière concomitante avec une équipe d’autres stagiaires travaillant chacun sur un thème distinct, mais suivant la même démarche globale, sur laquelle l’équipe sera formée. Une formation complémentaire en mobilisation et transfert des connaissances sera également offerte dans le cadre du stage.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: Nicole Gallant est PhD en science politique. Sa programmation de recherche porte sur les processus de construction du rapport des jeunes à la société et à l’environnement 1) dans une perspective de socialisation, c’est-à-dire en tant que processus social formel et informel par lequel l’individu apprend à vivre en société, sous l’influence de multiples acteurs et facteurs; 2) en tenant compte de l’hétérogénéité des jeunes et de l’influence du contexte sur leurs dispositions, compétences et parcours d’autonomisation; et 3) en considérant que les interactions sociales construisant le jeune comme citoyen sont tant matérielles que symboliques.
Student roles: Dans le cadre de son stage, l’étudiant.e sera principalement amené.e à réaliser les activités suivantes : - Analyse la littérature scientifique sur le sujet, sur la base d’un inventaire bibliographie déjà réalisé et selon une démarche encadrée (définitions, facteurs, effets); - Identifier et analyser la littérature grise pertinente; - Compléter avec de courts entretiens auprès de quelques chercheurs spécialistes du thème; - Rédiger et produire de 3 à 4 outils de mobilisation des connaissances (rapport, feuillet de synthèse, infographie, balado, vidéo, etc.)
Skills required: - Études ou compétences avérées en sociologie qualitative ou dans une discipline pertinente des sciences sociales (sociologie, science politique, géographie, etc.) - Avoir obtenu d’excellentes notes dans les cours de méthodologie de la recherche en sciences sociales - Excellente capacité de rédaction et de synthèse - Esprit d’analyse - Sens de l'organisation, rigueur, méthode - Capacité d'initiative et curiosité intellectuelle - Sens de la démonstration scientifique à l’appui des interprétations - Maîtrise du français oral et écrit; compréhension de l’anglais écrit - Intérêt pour la sociologie de la jeunesse, un atout
13. Material Requirements for a Good Life
Supervisor: Karthik Akkiraju
University: University of British Columbia (Vancouver campus)
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Start date: 2027-05-17 (flexible)
Disciplines: Sociology, Psychology, Development Studies, Statistics
What are the material requirements for a good life? Can societies consume less while maintaining high life satisfaction? What material stocks are required to achieve this? A promising way to answer these questions is to integrate the well-being frameworks into the existing techno-economic paradigm of material and energy flows. Doing so will shed light on the nature and quantity of resources needed for societal flourishing, guided by quantitative well-being indicators.
Answers to these questions lie at the interdisciplinary intersection of industrial ecology, social psychology, and public policy. This research project addresses these questions by analyzing multi-country household survey datasets to establish empirical relationships between material consumption and well-being. The goal is to elucidate the drivers of basic material needs, such as energy, housing, mobility, and food services, and their contribution to household well-being. The underlying raw material stocks of metals and minerals required to meet demand for such services will then be evaluated. The project uses advanced computational methods, including machine-learning-based data fusion, non-parametric regression models, and clustering techniques, to model factors driving material consumption and well-being. These factors encompass behavioral aspects, policy, and cultural dimensions that can inform demand-side solutions by targeting the adoption of renewable and less material-intensive technologies to improve well-being while reducing energy and materials footprints.
The project is part of a broader global effort to develop tools and methods for quantifying material stocks with collaborators from Yale University and the Basque Center for Climate Change, providing opportunities to learn systems thinking, computational sociology, and econometric methods.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: My research program lies at the intersection of materials design, environmental impact assessment, well-being indicators, and public policy, combining technical, ecological, and social analyses of planetary health. An overarching theme is to develop a material design framework that defines material requirements for a good life within equitable environmental and societal bounds. By grounding material benchmarks in household demand and well-being data, my research identifies communities facing material poverty and proposes sustainable design solutions to meet their needs. These outcomes help interest groups to prioritize both economic growth and social impact within the constraints of material resources and ecological sustainability.
Student roles: The student will begin with a literature review to identify frameworks for establishing material sufficiency thresholds for well-being. This involves evaluating both normative thresholds, such as the Decent Living Standards, as well as those rooted in subjective well-being research.
The student will then use a bottom-up approach to quantify the material stocks and well-being patterns in the Global North, including the United States, Canada, and Europe. This part of the project involves establishing material intensity factors for household goods and services to convert material possessions into raw material stocks. For each household good or service, the intensity of raw materials such as copper, steel, lithium, and cobalt will be quantified. These analyses will be conducted at the household level to capture socio-demographic and geographic variation in existing material consumption patterns. After establishing this baseline of material consumption, the student will develop scenarios for decreased consumption based on avoiding the consumption of certain goods, shifting to less material-intensive technologies, and improving the efficiency of service delivery. Each scenario will be grounded in the well-being thresholds established in the first phase, ensuring consistency with high well-being outcomes.
These duties and tasks will be performed under the direct supervision of the faculty member. In addition, the student will engage with other lab members to receive feedback and meet with the faculty member one-on-one weekly to monitor progress toward the goals and discuss ways to improve the learning experience. The student is expected to critically analyze existing literature, learn statistical methods, troubleshoot coding issues, and present results to an interdisciplinary audience.
Skills required: The student is expected to have a background in industrial ecology, statistics, economics, sustainability science, psychology, or a related field, with an interest in computational social science. Core technical skills include coding proficiency in R and Python, knowledge of statistical methods such as regression modeling, cluster analysis, and data visualization. An interest in a multidimensional view of human development and comfort working across disciplinary boundaries is also expected.
14. Police and Search and Rescue Responses to Missing Persons Cases
Supervisor: Lorna Ferguson
University: University of Regina
Location: Regina, Saskatchewan
Start date: 2027-05-03 (flexible)
Disciplines: Sociology, Public Policy and Administration, Psychology, Occupational Health, Law
This research project examines police and volunteer search and rescue (SAR) responses to missing persons incidents in Canada, with a particular focus on responder experiences, operational challenges, and occupational stress. Missing persons investigations are a significant but often overlooked area of public safety work, involving police services, emergency responders, volunteers, families, and community organizations. While many cases are resolved quickly and safely, responders may still encounter emotionally demanding situations, complex decision-making environments, and high-pressure operational conditions.
The project uses criminological and social science approaches to better understand how missing persons cases are managed and how these experiences affect frontline personnel and volunteers involved in response efforts. It also explores broader issues related to public safety systems, interagency collaboration, mental health and well-being, and organizational support. This research is interdisciplinary and combines perspectives from criminology, sociology, policing studies, emergency management, and public safety research. Findings are intended to contribute to evidence-informed policy, training, and wellness initiatives for police and SAR organizations, while also improving public understanding of missing persons response systems.
The project provides an opportunity to engage with applied Canadian public safety research while developing a broader understanding of policing, emergency response, and community safety issues in an international context.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: I specialize in criminology and public safety research focused on policing, missing persons, and volunteer search and rescue (SAR) response systems. My research examines how police and SAR organizations respond to vulnerable and high-risk missing persons cases, including issues related to decision-making, operational coordination, occupational stress, risk assessment, and emerging technologies in policing. I work closely with police services, SAR organizations, and community partners across Canada to conduct applied research intended to inform policy, training, responder well-being, and evidence-based public safety practices.
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 criminology and public safety research project examining police and volunteer search and rescue (SAR) responses to missing persons incidents in Canada. Responsibilities may include conducting academic literature reviews; organizing and synthesizing research materials; assisting with qualitative data coding and thematic analysis; supporting descriptive quantitative analysis; preparing summaries of findings; and contributing to knowledge mobilization materials such as research briefs, presentations, and public-facing content.
The student may also assist with research administration tasks related to data organization, transcription review, citation management, and preparing materials for conference presentations or publications. Depending on the student’s interests and experience, there may be opportunities to contribute to manuscript development and collaborative discussions around policing, occupational stress, mental health, and missing persons response.
The role is designed to provide hands-on research training in applied social science and criminological research. The student will gain experience working with real-world public safety research data, qualitative and mixed-methods approaches, and interdisciplinary collaboration involving policing and emergency response organizations. Regular mentorship and supervision will be provided throughout the placement.
Skills required: Students should have an interest in criminology, policing, search and rescue (SAR), public safety, psychology, sociology, or related fields. Experience with qualitative or quantitative research methods is an asset, but not required. Strong written communication, organization, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently are important. Familiarity with academic literature searching, coding qualitative data, or using software such as Excel, SPSS, NVivo, or similar programs would be beneficial. Students interested in applied public safety research, mental health, occupational stress, or missing persons research are especially encouraged to apply.
15. Rapports intergénérationnels au Québec : État des connaissances
Effectué au sein du volet "Citoyenneté et Environnement" de la Chaire-réseau de recherche sur la jeunesse du Québec (CRJ), le stage vise à réaliser un état des connaissances sur le sujet des rapports intergénérationnels au Québec, tant en termes de représentations sociales que de conditions matérielles, à partir de la littérature scientifique, de la documentation dite "grise" et d’entretiens avec des experts.
L’objectif concret consistera à produire une série de documents de synthèse et de mobilisation des connaissances sur le sujet. Le stage sera mené de manière concomitante avec une équipe d’autres stagiaires travaillant chacun sur un thème distinct, mais suivant la même démarche globale, sur laquelle l’équipe sera formée. Une formation complémentaire en mobilisation et transfert des connaissances sera également offerte dans le cadre du stage.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: Nicole Gallant est PhD en science politique. Sa programmation de recherche porte sur les processus de construction du rapport des jeunes à la société et à l’environnement 1) dans une perspective de socialisation, c’est-à-dire en tant que processus social formel et informel par lequel l’individu apprend à vivre en société, sous l’influence de multiples acteurs et facteurs; 2) en tenant compte de l’hétérogénéité des jeunes et de l’influence du contexte sur leurs dispositions, compétences et parcours d’autonomisation; et 3) en considérant que les interactions sociales construisant le jeune comme citoyen sont tant matérielles que symboliques.
Student roles: Dans le cadre de son stage, l’étudiant.e sera principalement amené.e à réaliser les activités suivantes : - Analyse la littérature scientifique sur le sujet, sur la base d’un inventaire bibliographie déjà réalisé et selon une démarche encadrée (définitions, facteurs, effets); - Identifier et analyser la littérature grise pertinente; - Compléter avec de courts entretiens auprès de quelques chercheurs spécialistes du thème; - Rédiger et produire de 3 à 4 outils de mobilisation des connaissances (rapport, feuillet de synthèse, infographie, balado, vidéo, etc.)
Skills required: - Études ou compétences avérées en sociologie qualitative ou dans une discipline pertinente des sciences sociales (sociologie, science politique, géographie, etc.) - Avoir obtenu d’excellentes notes dans les cours de méthodologie de la recherche en sciences sociales - Excellente capacité de rédaction et de synthèse - Esprit d’analyse - Sens de l'organisation, rigueur, méthode - Capacité d'initiative et curiosité intellectuelle - Sens de la démonstration scientifique à l’appui des interprétations - Maîtrise du français oral et écrit; compréhension de l’anglais écrit - Intérêt pour la sociologie de la jeunesse, un atout