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Research Assistantships

Note: These research assistant positions are only for Faculty of Social Work students.

During your tenure at Laurier, you may be interested to apply for a research assistantship for a range of projects. Assistantships are ordinarily awarded on a term basis (fall, winter or spring). Payment rates are adjusted annually and the exact amount of the rate in any given academic year will be announced prior to the beginning of the spring term. New applications must be made each term.

Work assignments may include literature searches, article retrieval, research interviews, and data entry and/or data analysis. Experience with computer programs such as SPSS and Nvivo as well as experience with TRELLIS and a range of search engines are highly valued skills.

Acceptance for these positions is based on a process that matches faculty requests and student skills. If accepted as a research assistant (RA), your specific work schedule should be arranged in consultation with the professor for whom you will be working. Hours and performance will be monitored.

We do try to assign research assistantships to as many different students as possible. However, if you have already held a research assistantship in the Faculty of Social Work you may be asked to continue on the same project.

Research Assistantship with the Equity Committee

The Equity Committee is a standing committee of the Faculty of Social Work and has responsibility to raise issues of concern regarding equity and anti-oppression, both within the faculty and within the broader community. We also support the change efforts of the faculty, including learning and growth in terms of equity issues among all members of the social work community: faculty, staff, students and field organizations.

The work of the committee is supported by an RA who works with the committee to develop the program for the equity forum in the fall.

Application Procedure

  1. Faculty members submit a request for an MSW Research Assistant, identifying specific projects and required skills.
  2. A budgetary review by the research resource coordinator, dean and program manager will determine the number of faculty requests that can be honoured.
  3. Approved positions are circulated via email to all full-time MSW students, along with an invitation to apply directly to the corresponding faculty member.  Students should send their CV and a brief statement of interest.
  4. Faculty members interview applicants and a make final decision for each position.

If you have further questions, contact Associate Dean Michael Woodford.