This is a one-year post-doctoral opportunity to support Dr. Sherry Pictou, supervisor, in a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair research program in Indigenous Governance with a focus on gender roles in Indigenous Ocean/water governance, supported by the Ocean, Economy and Livelihood projects in the Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Program. The aim of this position is making a significant contribution to Indigenous Ocean/Water Governance (aquatic and marine). This will be achieved by applying an Indigenous gender lens in ocean and water governance. The focus will include Mi’kmaw/Indigenous ocean/water governance from ancestral to current times. This fellowship provides the opportunity to work on the links between Indigenous knowledge and rights, environmental social science and policy, applying academic research and theory to support Indigenous communities, and Indigenous women and gender diverse persons in particular, both in Canada and globally. In addition, the research fellow will assist in engaging national and global policy makers to ensure Indigenous local socioeconomic contexts are reflected in Ocean/water governance.
Increasingly, the ocean-based economy is becoming a national and international development focus (i.e. Blue Economy). At the same time, Indigenous communities are confronted with increasing levels of uncertainties and vulnerabilities from factors affecting their resource bases and environment (e.g. climate change and habitat modification) and socioeconomic conditions (e.g. globalization and trade liberalization). This project is a response to these trends and has an overarching objective to develop a new framework for understanding gender in Indigenous ocean/water economies and promote public policies that can strengthen food and livelihood security. The goal is to recognize not only the importance of waged employment, but also the broader economic and social conditions that enable people to meet their needs and to plan for their future. This project will go beyond narrow economic measures of employment and income in order to develop a more comprehensive framework for assessing the vulnerabilities and risks faced by Indigenous communities including women and gender diverse persons, under projected environmental, economic, social, and political changes.
Job Summary & Key Responsibilities
The Dalhousie/Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus fellow will receive the opportunity to work with Indigenous and like-minded scholars and communities, across a wide range of disciplines and expertise, in an environment that supports their skill development, with the goal to make a difference to the field of ocean governance, and in particular, gender in Indigenous Ocean and water governance. The fellowship will provide opportunities to thrive in team settings, and be open to interdisciplinary conversations, questions, and approaches. This will include opportunities to engage with Indigenous and allied scholars, communities and represent the Ocean Nexus Program at relevant conference and workshops, both within Canada and internationally. The fellow will be encouraged to build relationships with Indigenous and non-Indigenous governmental representatives, world leading universities, and NGOs, through the successful delivery of important publications, reports and other knowledge outputs including their own projects and writing.
Duties will include but not be limited to:
- Prepare Research Ethics Board applications
- Recruit participants, build partnerships
- Conduct interviews
- Lead literature reviews
- Code data
- Write with team
- Support knowledge mobilization
- Train Research Assistance
- Organize meetings
- Coordinate research activities
- Track grant spending
Qualifications/Requirements of Position
The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will have a PhD in the social sciences, preferably with a focus on Indigenous knowledge and methodologies (including qualitative methods) or political sciences, with interest in gender and Indigenous Ocean/water issues. The PhD must be completed by May 2022. A background in collaborating and working with Indigenous peoples is an asset; experiences with Indigenous communities and knowledge of ocean issues as well are preferred but not necessary. The PDRF will feel confident and have experience in applying research in real-world situations and communicating the research work to the public.
Additional Information
Dalhousie University is committed to fostering a collegial culture grounded in diversity and inclusiveness. The university and the PI encourage applications from Indigenous persons (especially Mi’kmaq), persons with a disability, racialized persons, including persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), women, persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. For more information, please visit this website.
Please apply online through this posting.