Project Mentor
Dr. Melisa Argañaraz Gomez
Department: Urban and Community Studies
Research Project Overview:
I am seeking a research assistant to support either of these two projects:
- A book project focused on Latin American children and youth care work and labor in Waterbury and Baltimore during the pandemic. Children’s experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic have received little attention. Popular discourses claim that children are less likely to be affected by the virus and focus on isolation/mental health consequences. In doing so, these discourses present children as passive victims. This research examines how youths’ political acts of care are critical to the survival of their families, peers, and society; however, ‘care for their families’ may force youth to sacrifice their well-being and future prospects. This research focuses on the active participation of immigrant Latin American children in US society and the necessity for safety nets to protect/recognize their care work. This work includes topics such as criminality, care work/labor, health, and education of Latin American Children and Youth. Alongside this research you will be able to develop your own research project.
- A project focused on housing experiences within immigrant Latin American communities in Waterbury and Baltimore. The project will have a particular focus on the experiences of immigrant Latin American women and children. Waterbury has ranked among the 50 cities with the highest eviction rates in the country since 2016. Previous research found Black renters are over three times more likely than white renters to face eviction, and Latino renters are over two times more likely than white renters. Housing insecurity and eviction cases are disproportionately filed against women and even more disproportionately against Black and Latina women. This project also seeks to understand the experiences of housing insecurity among communities overlooked during the pandemic. Alongside this research you will be able to develop your own research project.
Role of a SHARE Summer Apprentice:
The research apprentice will provide direct support for the execution and analysis of this study. Common tasks will include literature searches, support for online recruitment of participants, transcription of interviews, coding, and proofreading final writing outcomes. Additional tasks related to research will be completed as needed. You will gain valuable research experience, particularly in participatory qualitative research methods and analysis. This project will require virtual meetings with community organizations to create potential research partnerships. You will have plenty of opportunities to network with different organizations around the Waterbury/Baltimore area. All activities for this position will be completed remotely.
Summer Schedule/Time Commitment:
I would like the apprentice to start in June and continue until end of August. Ideally, the RA will work on this project 10hrs/week and will participate of weekly meetings. However, the hours will be flexible. We may skip some weeks depending on the summer holidays and other responsibilities.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Interest in qualitative methods and participatory action approach to research.
- Previous coursework in Urban Studies, Geography, History, American Studies, Anthropology, or related field in the Social Sciences and Humanities. Student should demonstrate interest and commitment to Latinx and Latin American communities and migration justice.
- Familiarity with Nvivo is a plus but not required.
- You do not have to have previous experience to apply.
To Apply:
The application deadline has passed.
Please note:
All students hired for a SHARE Summer apprenticeship must complete a federal I-9 form and present original documents in person to OUR staff as part of the hiring process. Visit this U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services page for more information about acceptable documents. You cannot begin working until this is complete. Students are encouraged to plan ahead for this. For example, if you are going home for spring break, consider bringing documents back to campus with you.