Project Mentor
Dr. Melisa Argañaraz Gomez
Department: Geography, Sustainability, Community and Urban Studies
Research Project Overview:
I am seeking a research assistant to support a project focused on housing arrangements, insecurity and eviction 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.
Role of a SHARE Summer Apprentice:
The research assistant will provide direct support for the writing results stage of the project. Common tasks will include literature searches, and proofreading final writing outcomes. Additional tasks related to research will be completed as needed. Student will gain valuable research experience, particularly in participatory qualitative research methods. This project may 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 student to start in mid-May and continue until mid-August. Ideally, Student will work on this project 10hrs/wk. However, the hours will be flexible. We may skip some weeks depending on the summer holidays and other responsibilities. We will schedule weekly meetings to check in and set up weekly goals. Other responsibilities can be completed on a flexible schedule. We will meet bi-weekly to check our research progress.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Interest in qualitative methods and participatory action approach to research.
- Previous coursework in Urban Studies, Geography, Environmental Studies, or related field. Student should demonstrate interest and commitment to Latinx and Latin American communities and migration justice.
- Fluency in Spanish is a plus but not required.
- You do not have to have previous experience to apply.
To Apply:
The application opens on Saturday, March 1, 2025. Click here to submit an online application for this research apprenticeship through the Quest Portal. The application deadline is Friday, March 28, 2025, at 11:59pm.
Click here to view an outline of the general application questions. There are no additional questions for this apprenticeship.
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 original documents back to campus with you.