Research Assistant, Possibilities of Artists-in-Residence

About the Role

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.

Responsibilities

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).

Qualifications

• 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 ($21.87 - $27.61 per hour)

Closing Date: August 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).