Decolonizing Access to Education Research Assistant

At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity, and inclusion as fundamental to our institutional culture. Our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.

As an employer, we are working towards a people first culture and are proud to have been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and a Greater Toronto’s Top Employer for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. To learn more about our work environment, colleagues, leaders, students and innovative educational environment, visit www.torontomu.ca, check out @TorontoMet (external link)  and @ECItorontomet (external link)  on Twitter, and visit our LinkedIn company page. 

The Office of Social Innovation (OSI) strives to create transformative solutions to complex social issues through teaching, learning, research, and community engagement. We advance opportunities to support, drive, and lead change at Toronto Metropolitan University and the broader community. Under the auspices of the Office of the Vice-Provost Academic, OSI creates, develops, and coordinates learning and engagement opportunities for students and community members in social innovation. OSI administers the Sanctuary Scholars program at TMU, which provides an access pathway specifically for students with precarious immigration status. Further information about OSI can be found on our website: https://www.torontomu.ca/social-innovation/.

The Decolonizing Access to Education project aims to strengthen how universities support Students with Precarious Immigration Status (SPS) with disabilities and/or those who have had disabling experiences. Two students with refugee and migration experiences, including Sanctuary Scholars, from TMU, York, and U of T, will be recruited to work as research assistants. Research Assistants will receive discourse analysis training and research methods preparation to lead focus groups, data analysis sessions, and knowledge mobilization. The focus groups will bring together Sanctuary Scholars and students with refugee experiences from TMU, York, and the University of Toronto to discuss their experiences of disability and accessibility services. 

Requirements:

● Be a current Undergraduate or Master’s student at TMU, York, or UofT
● Have or have had experience of forced migration and/or precarious immigration status in Canada
● Strong oral and written communication skills
● Good time management and organizational skills
● Strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills
● Experience in gathering, synthesizing, and analyzing information from various sources
● Experience in working collaboratively with team members
● Computer proficiency, including the use of Microsoft Office and Google Suite products

Duties:

● Participate in designated trainings and workshops
● Organize and facilitate focus groups
● Analyze focus group transcripts
● Share findings with research team
● Work closely and collaboratively with research team
● Assist in production of written report of findings
● Other research duties as required

Complete this Google Form before the deadline: https://forms.gle/maAwPm1C7Am3thT59 (external link) . You will be asked to upload your cover letter and resume.

Please note that you must be a student who has had or is currently experiencing forced migration and/or precarious immigration status in Canada to apply. Email Tanya Aberman at taberman@torontomu.ca if you are unsure that you meet this requirement.