Graduate Student Opportunity: Global Minerals and Local Communities in Canada and the Philippines
Stipend: to be announced (as per institutional regulations)
Deadline to apply: February 1st, 2019
Start date: September 2019, September 2020
Academic program/ institution choice: The applicant can choose to apply any program at the Master’s or PhD level at:
- University of Guelph’s School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, Guelph Ontario, Canada (Profs. Nicolas Brunet, Sheri Longboat, Ryan Gibson)
- University of Montreal’s Department of Political Science, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Prof. Dominique Caouette)
- University of Saskatchewan’s Johnson Shoyama School of Public Policy, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada (Prof. Kenneth Coates and Ms. Emmy Stavostrand Neuls)
Project webpage: http://nicolasbrunet.ca/global-minerals-local-communities/
Description:
Experience over the last five decades suggests that mining contributions to economic development varies greatly across countries. In some it has been a major engine of development. In others disputes have erupted over land use, property rights, environmental damage, and revenue sharing. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs implemented through health, economic development, education and training projects, are increasingly relied upon to manage company-community relations. Yet conflicts persist in many settings, with significant costs for companies and communities.
The goal of this project is to help shift the debate from arguing for or against mining, towards understanding the complex forces – environmental, cultural, economic, social, political, and historical – that influence the quality of mining company-community relationship in Canada and the Philippines. It seeks to establish a profile of corporate, policy and community responses that maximize the economic, social and environmental benefits and minimize the negative impacts of mining.
Desired Skills and Qualifications:
Bachelor’s (for MA, M.Sc.) or Master’s (for PhD) degree in relevant field including environmental management; planning and development; anthropology; environmental studies; political science; etc.
- Experience working in Indigenous community contexts in Canada and/or in the Philippines
- Expertise in conducting social research using participatory approaches
- Track record or potential of publication and/or work experience in an academic context (conferences, active in networks, etc.) and service to Indigenous communities.
- Some understanding of the complex nature of environmental governance in multi-stakeholder contexts (northern Alberta preferred) involving resource intensive industries, government agencies, First Nation and/or Métis governments and organizations, associations, NGOs, etc.
- Knowledge of and /or experience with corporate social responsibility issues
- Experience communicating results of research and scientific information to Indigenous partners in a clear, accessible and respectful ways.
Interested applicants to send by email a cover letter, CV and contact information for 2 referees to Dr. Nicolas Brunet by February 1st, 2019.