The Simon Fraser University Institute for the Study of Teaching and Learning in the Disciplines invites applications for a Research Assistant for the Teaching and Learning Development Grant project, Who Cares? Student-Instructor Relationalities in Remote Learning Through An Ethic of Care Pedagogy, to begin October 1, 2021, or earlier.

After the abrupt pivot into online teaching spaces due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I became stretched as an instructor to develop practical ways of demonstrating care to my students and to myself in a remote learning environment.  Inspired by a feminist ethic of care, which identifies five ethical qualities: attentiveness, responsibility, responsiveness, competence, and solidarity (Tronto, 2013), the purpose of this project is to a) determine what kinds of caring elements and practices can be built into remotely-delivered courses; and b) measure their impact on student learning.

Research assistant responsibilities include:

• Undertaking literature reviews pertinent to the project;
• Assisting in survey and interview question design;
• Conducting recorded semi-structured focus group interviews with participants;
• Transcribing and cleaning interview data;
• Assisting in data analysis and write up; and
• Attending regular meetings with the project lead in a virtual meeting environment, (e.g., Zoom).

Required qualifications, skills, and experience:

• Currently enrolled as a student at SFU;
• Experience conducting literature reviews;
• Experience in research instrument design such as creating surveys, interview protocols, and interview questions;
• Experience coordinating, conducting, recording and transcribing interviews;
• Expertise with analyzing and summarizing data (including survey data);
• Strong interest in improving online learning in a higher education setting;
• Time to commit to the project (5 to 10 hours per week);
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including strong oral and written communication skills; and
• Experience in academic writing as demonstrated in assessments or previous projects.

Additional experience or skills that would be considered an asset:

• Conducted / participated in research project(s)
• Wrote / published research papers
• Knowledge in quantitative and qualitative research
• Strong desire to learn more about educational research

Rate of pay: $22-$26/hr (including vacation and statutory holiday pay, no medical or dental benefits) based on experience.

Duration and time commitment: Fall 2021 semester: October 2021 to January 2022 (up to 70 hours) // May - August 2022 (up to 100 hours)

To apply: Applicants should submit: including (1) a 1-page cover letter highlighting qualifications, skills, role responsibilities, and previous applicable experience as listed above, (2) a 1-2 page resume. These two items should be organized as one PDF attachment and addressed to Dr. Leanne Roderick, and emailed to leanne_roderick@sfu.ca, with the subject header: TLDG RA Position.

Note: References will only be requested from short-listed applicants.

Application deadline: Friday, September 10, 2021, 4:00 PM. We appreciate all replies to this posting; however, we will only contact short-listed applicants.