Opportunities for graduate study: Northern Exposures project

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Departments of Geography and History

Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2016-2017

Arn Keeling (Geography) and John Sandlos (History) are soliciting expressions of interest for graduate students to join our interdisciplinary SSHRC-funded research group project, “Northern Exposures: Science, Indigenous people, and Northern Contaminants.” This project examines the attempts of Aboriginal communities, scientific researchers, governments, and environmental groups to respond to the issue of toxics in the northern environment. The project team also aims to trace the connections forged by pollution between northern and non-northern places and actors, as well as with non-human actors—such as highly mobile chemical and biological contaminants and the environmental systems through which they move. For background on the project, see http://wastests.org/about/northern-exposures/.

We particularly welcome students with background and/or interests in STS, environmental history, political ecology and/or northern and Aboriginal studies. Students would join Keeling and Sandlos’ group working on topics related to environmental change in Northern Canada, and would have the opportunity to participate in Memorial’s interdisciplinary research hub, WaSTE (Waste and Science, Technology & Environment).

Positions Available:

One-Year Master’s (MA) or PhD in History

The successful candidates will develop a major paper or doctoral thesis on as aspect of the historical spread and impact of toxic material in northern Canada. Projects may abandoned mines (including mines in Newfoundland and Labrador), hydrocarbon developments, exploration sites, DEW Line sites (especially in Labrodor), contaminated food, uranium, pollution policy in the territorial north, and/or the long range transport of industrial toxins (and the role of northern Canada in the development of mitigation strategies).

Two Year Master’s (MA or M.Sc.) or PhD in Geography

Geography students are invited to join project team members examining the historical geography and contemporary legacies of pollution, waste and remediation related to industrial development in Northern Canada.

Comprehensive funding packages are available with opportunities to augment the amounts through scholarships or Teaching Assistantships.

Interested applicants should contact: John Sandlos (jsandlos@mun.ca) or Arn Keeling (akeeling@mun.ca).

Although the funding packages are tied to the researchers, prospective students must follow the formal application process for graduate school at Memorial University of Newfoundland. For more information and applications, see http://www.mun.ca/become/graduate/.

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