IRES is accepting applications for funded MA and PhD student positions:

• Experience of Shifting Water Governance: Comparative Study of Water Access, Narrative and Citizenship in Accra, Ghana and Cape Town, South Africa

Funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, MA and PhD students are invited to work with this collaborative comparative research project. In general, MA students will likely focus on one of the study sites, while PhD students would be expected to include both sites in their research projects. Applications can speak to elements of the varied project goals, depending on your interests. Project goals include:

1) To analyze the effects and experiences of shifts in contemporary water governance among relatively impoverished and underserved communities in Accra, Ghana and Cape Town, South Africa

2) To analyze relationships between water use, access, governance, and citizenship

3) To develop new approaches for narrative analysis, particularly for political ecology studies

4) To contribute to policy debates regarding possibilities for extending water access and promoting participatory governance, particularly in underserved areas. The project also seeks to work with partners in each context to promote research capacity and to disseminate knowledge from the project to key constituencies. As such, working with local governmental and non-governmental partners is essential. Statistical analysis skills desired, but not necessary.

Successful applicants for this opportunity should have strong research, analysis, community engagement, and writing skills, be highly motivated and organized, and be able to work independently and in a team environment. Travel is also required.

To apply: submit CV, a very brief summary of your background and qualifications (including GPA) and please provide the research question(s) you propose to work on, in line with the opportunities as outlined above. Applications to be sent to lharris@ires.ubc.ca. Please check www.edges.ubc.ca for other information and to view MA theses already concluded in line with this project.

• Improving Water governance in small communities and First Nations in British Columbia 

As part of the Res’Eau WATERNET NSERC Strategic Network (http://www.reseauwaternet.ca/), the Program on Water Governance has funding for one MA or PhD student to work on research in line with the network, with a focus on improving water governance in small and First Nation communities. As part of the strategic network ‘living laboratory’ effort, work with a particular community is likely (e.g. Cowichan Valley Regional District). Here applicants are asked to communicate initially with Dr. Harris about your interest, and frame your potential project in line with the overall project goal as stated above (and on the Res’Eau website). For this project, engagement with community partners and broader science communities is a must.

Successful applicants for this opportunity should have strong research, analysis, community engagement, and writing skills, be highly motivated and organized, and be able to work independently and in a team environment. Travel is also required.

To apply: submit CV, a very brief summary of your background and qualifications (including GPA) and please provide the research question(s) you propose to work on, in line with the opportunities as outlined above. Applications to be sent to lharris@ires.ubc.ca. Please note that Dr. Karen Bakker will likely co-advise the successful applicant towards completion of a degree.

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We especially welcome applications from visible minority group members, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

student recruitment letter IRES PoWG EDGES final