Job Description:
A Research Assistant (RA) is sought to support the SSHRC-funded study, "Exploring the radical possibilities of artists-in-residence in a department of education," led by Dr. Kristen Schaffer. This multi-phased critical practitioner inquiry explores the transformative potential of bringing together artists and students in the Bachelor of Education program within the course EDUC3104: Arts Integration in Elementary Education.
Because the Principal Investigator (PI) is also the course instructor, the RA plays a critical role in mitigating the risk of coercion by acting as a confidential buffer between the PI and the student participants. The RA will take part in observational data collection during an 8-week course followed by a 5-week practicum in a local elementary school, looking at the interactions of the course instructor, a professional artist-in-residence, teacher candidates, mentor teachers, and children. They will manage student consent, independently gather and anonymize data (photographs, videos, and student learning outputs), and actively engage as a participant-researcher by contributing critical field notes. In the winter semester, the RA will assist with data processing and qualitative analysis. There is opportunity for co-publishing research articles.
This RA position will work approximately 9 - 12 hours per week from September 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027.
Managing Participant Consent & Confidentiality Buffer
- Introduce the study to participants in Aug-Sept.
- Administer, collect, and securely store consent forms.
- Maintain absolute confidentiality of student consent status.
Co-Conducting Protocols & Data Collection (Classroom Engagement)
- Attend some EDUC3104 classes.
- Capture audio/visual documentation (photographs and videos) of classroom activities.
- Answer participants’ questions about the research project.
Participant-Researcher Contributions
- Act as a co-researcher by recording critically reflective field notes after each class to document the PI’s teaching and the class experience.
- Participate in weekly 1-hour planning and debriefing meetings with the PI and the artist-in-residence.
Data Preparation & Anonymization
- Post-grade appeal, meticulously scrub and anonymize data to the highest degree possible before releasing them to the PI for analysis.
- Sort and delete data from participants who did not consent, or who exercised their right to withdraw their data during the 2-week withdrawal window.
Research Co-Design & Qualitative Analysis
- Collaborate with the PI to co-design research protocols and data management workflows.
- Assist the PI in qualitative data analysis, identifying thematic patterns across the scrubbed data, field notes, and transcriptions.
- Assist in preparing materials for future dissemination (presentations, publications).
- Currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program.
- Must not be enrolled in MRU’s Department of Education to avoid dual-role conflicts with the PI and to ensure an appropriate buffer from the students.
- Must hold TCPS 2: CORE-2022 Certification (or successfully complete prior to hiring) the Tri-Council Policy Statement Course (2022) on Research Ethics.
- 1 - 6 months of related experience.
- Demonstrated ability to handle highly confidential information. The RA must be comfortable maintaining strict boundaries and keeping information secret from their direct supervisor (the PI) to comply with HREB requirements.
- Strong organizational skills to manage multiple streams of digital and physical data securely (e.g., using password-protected Google Drives, separating consented vs. non-consented materials).
- Comfortable using Qualtrics (or similar survey tools), Otter.ai (or similar transcription software), basic digital photography, and Google Workspace.
- Approachable, and professional demeanor to build trust with university student and child participants and collaboratively engage in debriefing meetings with the PI and Artist-in-Residence.
Salary: RA 2 : Grade 13 ($21.23 - $26.81 per hour)
Closing Date: July 31, 2026
A letter of interest should be submitted in one .pdf formatted document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name], [Document], [Requisition Number].pdf (ex. Smith, Letter of Interest, 1234.pdf).
