Research Assistant

Job Title

Research Assistant

Job Type

Hourly

Union

Exempt

Position Classification

Salary Grade

FT or PT

Part-time

Hybrid Work

This position is eligible

Position End Date (if applicable)

Location

MRU Main Campus - Calgary, AB T3E 6K6 CA (Primary)

About This Position

About the Faculty of Arts

Mount Royal University's Faculty of Arts houses the following departments: Economics, Justice, and Policy Studies; English, Languages, and Cultures; Humanities; Interior Design; Psychology; General Education; and Sociology and Anthropology. Counseling also reports to the Faculty of Arts. The Faculty of Arts offers degrees in Anthropology, Criminal Justice, English, History, Interior Design, Policy Studies, Psychology, and Sociology, and offers courses to the 15,000 students enrolled at Mount Royal University. In addition, the Faculty of Arts offers 26 minors over a diverse range of disciplines. Arts faculty have received national and international recognition for their teaching and research, hold Tri-Council grants, publish books, and disseminate research in top-ranked academic journals.

About The Role

During our first meeting, the board recognized three key needs to advance the project that present meaningful research opportunities for students. First, we need to review existing fat liberation activism and archives in Canada for the archive to focus its proposed holdings. A student worker will review existing materials showcasing fat activism online, in the news, and on social media and then prepare a report laying out the scope of fat activism in Canada. A second student will create and reach out to a list of activist groups whose mandates intersect with the Fat Liberation Archive. Fat Liberation is an intersectional project, reaching across gender, ability, sexuality, and more. Both students will build a bibliography of scholarship engaging fat activism in Canada and the US. Both students will develop a presentation to share with the board of the Fat Liberation Archive. The students will develop several transversal skills by: honing their skills as online archivists, practicing data management, evaluating scholarship, sharpening their writing skills, and presenting their findings. The Fat Liberation Archive will gain knowledge of the Canadian activist landscape and scholarly literature and map connections with groups cross-nationally.

This role is for a current MRU Student (any year, any program). This job is associated with the Faculty of Arts, Humanities Department.

About The Project

Project Title: An Intersectional Review of Fat Liberation Activism and Scholarship in Canada.

Project Description: In November 2024 a group of Albertan activists and faculty from MRU met to imagine a Fat Liberation Archive. The idea comes from Haley Pukanski of Weight Inclusive Alberta, an organization that maintains a list of non-fatphobic healthcare providers in Calgary. We intend to create a digital and physical archive to celebrate and memorialize the activism for fat justice in Alberta. We have secured Peter Houston’s support to build and house an archive here at MRU. The Fat Liberation Archive will thrive alongside the recently opened Aveline-Vazquez LGBTQ+ Library Archive Collection, making MRU a hub of activist archival holdings.

Qualifications

• Current Mount Royal University student (any year, any program)
• Keen interest in fat liberation activism
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Experience with online research and/or database entry is not required but would be an asset.

Closing Date: until suitable candidate is found.

To apply please send cover letter and resume to lgassongardner@mtroyal.ca. Resumes will be reviewed beginning April 14, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and others currently eligible to work in Canada will be given priority. Recent Mount Royal graduates who are foreign nationals may be eligible to work on campus. Please refer to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website under Post-Graduation Employment at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/index.asp.

If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify erecruiter@mtroyal.ca and we will work together on your accommodation request.

About MRU

Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. A student-focused undergraduate university built on teaching excellence, Mount Royal University is known for our top-calibre programs, high-quality teaching and learning experience, robust delivery of liberal education, scholarly teaching, experiential learning and undergraduate research. Currently, more than 15,000 credit students choose from 14 bachelor degrees and 38 majors. Learn more at mru.ca/AcademicPlan.

Mount Royal University is situated on an ancient and storied land that is steeped in ceremony and history that, until recently, was occupied exclusively by people indigenous to this place. With gratitude and reciprocity, Mount Royal acknowledges the relationships to the land and all beings, and the songs, stories and teachings of the Siksika Nation, the Piikani Nation, the Kainai Nation, the Îethka Stoney Nakoda Nation (consisting of the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Goodstoney Nations), the people of the Tsuut’ina Nation, and the Métis. Learn more about MRU's Land Acknowledgement.

Mount Royal University is committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.

What We Offer

Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions. At MRU, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.

Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. MRU offers a competitive total compensation package including learning/training paid by employer, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre. Positions over six months may also be eligible for health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, and disability benefits.

Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, fitness classes, climbing, aquatics, sports, tournaments and certifications for students, employees and the public.