Type: Research Fellowship (Postdoctoral or PhD fellowship)
Duration: One-year contract, renewable
Hours: Part-time
Start date: As soon as possible
Salary: Commensurate with experience, skills.
Reports to: Dr. Elizabeth Dubois and Dr. Florian Martin-Bariteau
Fellowship Description
We are seeking a skilled and enthusiastic Doctoral or Postdoctoral Fellow to pursue an innovative research program focused on the policy impacts of academic explanatory journalism
The successful candidate will be supervised throughout the fellowship by Dr Elizabeth Dubois and Dr Florian Martin-Bariteau as part of the Global Journalism Innovation Lab.
We are particularly interested in candidates with:
- Knowledge of theories and concepts from media studies, journalism studies, information studies, and policy-related fields;
- Experience conducting interviews and/or focus groups and/or policy analysis and/or content analysis (both manual and automated);
- A background in/knowledge of the Canadian policy landscape and/or the Canadian journalism landscape.
- Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate their ability to coordinate a project, work with a team, and conduct high quality research.
The successful candidate will act as a project coordinator and conduct a range of research, project management, communication, and administrative activities for the project team at uOttawa. Research will include recruiting for and conducting interviews and focus groups with policy stakeholders, and analysing findings. The selected candidate will also supervise and support a team of research assistants currently collecting and cataloguing relevant explanatory journalism contributions and policy material for automated content analysis, and support the interpretation of findings.
The successful candidate will take ownership of the project through work with project executives, other project teams, parties internal to the University of Ottawa, and external parties to meet project terms and objectives and expand the team’s impact. Communication and related activities may include writing journalistic content, supporting podcast production, and event-planning support.
This is an exciting opportunity that will see the successful candidate foster connections with leading academics in Canada and abroad, develop their research skills in a supportive and collaborative environment, and work on cutting-edge research that spans disciplinary boundaries.
About the Project
The Research Fellow will join the research team of Dr Elizabeth Dubois and Dr Florian Martin-Bariteau, as part of the Global Journalism Innovation Lab, a strategic $2.5 Million Partnership funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Led by Dr. Alfred Hermida and Dr. Mary Lynn Young at the University of British Columbia School of Journalism, and with hubs across Canada and internationally, the Global Journalism Innovation Lab focuses on explanatory journalism that seeks to provide evidence-based information and perspectives to inform public dialogue and policy action. It investigates how experimental digital journalism forms can impact civic engagement and policy uptake in partnership with The Conversation Canada, and the network of affiliates in Australia, France, the U.K. and the U.S.
As part of the international research effort, Dr. Dubois and Dr. Martin-Bariteau lead a project examining the policy impacts of explanatory journalism by academics. They examine public-facing news and opinion articles written by academics and trace their use and impact in policy making processes. They are combining manual and automated text analysis with interviews and focus groups with policy makers, academics, and other participants in the policy development process. This research focuses on two case studies: (1) reform to Canada’s privacy legislation for the private-sector (2) elections modernization in Canada.
Position Requirements
- Degree in communication, media studies, journalism studies, information studies, political science, or related fields.
- Research experience, preferably with content analysis, interviews/focus groups, and/or policy analysis.
- English proficiency.
Additionally, the following skills will be considered as assets:
- Bilingualism (English and French).
- Scholarship on the relevant topics.
- Experience with and/or knowledge of the Canadian policy and/or journalism landscapes.
- Experience with and/or knowledge of Canadian privacy reform and elections modernization in Canada.
- Experience with knowledge mobilization (e.g., journalistic contributions, podcast production).
Place of work and COVID-19: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we transitioned to a work-from-home model, and this role is expected to begin as a remote position. We understand each person’s circumstances are unique and will work with the selected candidate to explore possible options. After a reasonable notice, it will be expected that the hired candidate will be able to work in person, on a regular basis, in our office spaces.
How to apply
Please submit your application package on our submission portal.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Dubois (elizabeth.dubois@uottawa.ca) or Dr. Martin-Bariteau (fmb@uOttawa.ca) with any questions about the role.
The application package should include:
- a cover letter,
- a complete curriculum vitae,
- a one-page (max.) description of research interests relevant for this position.
The selection committee will start to review applications immediately. Applications will be considered until a successful candidate is found.
The cover letter must indicate the level of proficiency in English and French.
We thank all applicants for their interest. While we are committed to ensuring the best possible experience for all applicants, only those under consideration for the role will be contacted. Please be advised that, due to changes in our funding, management, or organizational needs, we reserve the right to pause or stop a job competition at any stage in the process. Applicants will be notified in a timely manner.
The University of Ottawa is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Ottawa Centre for Law, Technology and Society is strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community. We strongly encourage applications from women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities, as well as members of the LGBTQ2S+ community.
In keeping with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, the University of Ottawa will provide accommodations upon request during the recruitment, selection and assessment process for candidates with a disability.