Project Mentor
Dr. Sarah Willen
Department: Anthropology
Research Project Overview:
We are seeking a SHARE Apprentice to support the Pandemic Journaling Project (PJP – https://pandemic-journaling-project.chip.uconn.edu/), which is a combined journaling platform and interdisciplinary research study of people’s experiences of COVID-19 and its aftermath, led by Dr. Sarah Willen in Anthropology together with a colleague at Brown University. You would join a collaborative team of faculty and other student research assistants. The position is ideal for a detail-oriented student who is interested in learning about and becoming involved in anthropological (especially qualitative) research and data analysis. The ideal candidate is organized, responsible, detail-oriented, comfortable working independently, and very comfortable using the Google Suite. All activities for this position can be completed remotely. On-campus residence is not required.
Applicants should take time to visit the Pandemic Journaling Project website (https://pandemic- journaling-project.chip.uconn.edu/) before applying for this apprenticeship.
Role of a SHARE Summer Apprentice:
The research apprentice will provide direct support for management, operation, and analysis of mixed-methods findings from a major interdisciplinary research project with multiple sub-projects and community-engaged dimensions. We have worked successfully with student research assistants since launching the project in May 2020. Student responsibilities are assigned based on both project need and student skills and interests but will likely include various aspects of data analysis and write-up of research findings. Through their involvement, the research apprentice will gain valuable research experience, particularly in qualitative research methods and analysis. They also will gain experience working as part of a friendly and welcoming research team.
The SHARE apprentice will receive initial training in key aspects of qualitative data management and analysis, most likely along with other summer research assistants. We will create an overall workplan that will then be broken down into weekly workplans, with specific day-by-day goals. Our team uses Slack (a messaging program) to communicate regularly, and we ask RAs to check in and out each day to ensure accountability and create daily opportunities to communicate, ask questions, receive clarification, etc. We schedule weekly RA meetings at a time convenient to all team members. Most other responsibilities can be completed on a flexible schedule.
Summer Schedule/Time Commitment:
We schedule weekly RA meetings at a time convenient to all team members. Most other responsibilities can be completed on a flexible schedule. If the apprentice has other obligations, we can most likely work around them.
Preferred Qualifications:
* Interest in qualitative social science research.
* Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
* Motivated, able to work independently, able to stick to a schedule and follow through on commitments, detail oriented.
* Ability to work as part of a team.
* High level of comfort using a computer, phone, and/or other research equipment.
* Strong familiarity/comfort with Google Suite (Google Docs, Google Spreadsheets, etc.), and willingness to learn other online platforms (Slack) and data analysis software (NVivo).
* Preferred: previous coursework in Anthropology, Sociology, or related field.
* Fluency in Spanish would be welcome but not required.
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.