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Professor: Marie-Eve Desrosiers
Unit: Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (Conflict Studies and Human Rights)
Number of Students: 5
Language: French, English (assignments can be submitted in either languages)

Research Description

The African continent has long been a battleground for foreign interest from a geostrategic standpoint, and has once again in recent years been shaping up to be a space of renewed international competition. Scholarly attention in recent years has predominantly focused on Western powers (the United States, France), as well as increasingly on China and Russia, including Russian proxies such as the group formerly known as Wagner. Yet a new group of actors are vying for influence on the continent, many authoritarian middle powers. These include Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Iran, which have been increasingly present in some of Africa’s key geostrategic regions from the Horn to the Sahel.

The goal of the project is to take stock of the growing influence of these actors in Africa. In particular, it centres around four key questions: what are the motives and drivers of authoritarian middle power presence in Africa; what means and strategies are they using to increase their influence on the continent; to what extent are African actors (government, private actors, civil society); and finally what impact are they having in terms of national, regional and international stability.

Key Learning Activities

• Exhaustive Bibliography
  Compile a comprehensive bibliography of existing material on African geopolitics, 30% of final grade.

• Annotated Bibliography
  Identify the 15 most important resources from the exhaustive bibliography and provide annotations for each.

• Critical Reflection
  Write a critical reflection on the state of the literature surveyed, highlighting key themes, gaps, and perspectives.

Professor: Christine Gibb
Unit: School of International Development and Global Studies
Number of Students: 4
Language: French, English (assignments can be submitted in either languages)

Research Description

This research study - Everyday experiences & mobilities of children, teens and older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic - explores the lived experiences of children, teens and older adults in several sites in Canada and the U.S., examining vulnerability, mobilities, and capacities. The results of this study will contribute to better disaster preparedness, responses, and policies and support systems that address the specific challenges and resilience of these potentially vulnerable and highly diverse groups. The study, which brings together an international team from three social science backgrounds, also explores the potential for digital communication between generations during disasters. The study uses mixed methods that are both child- and older adult-centric and pandemic-appropriate, including journals, interviews, research workshops, podcasting and surveys.

As part of this directed research course, students will contribute to multiple aspects of the study, including participant recruitment, data construction, data cleaning, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, knowledge mobilization, and presentation of preliminary results. The research activities will include both online and in-person tasks. The in-person activities will take place in the Ottawa-Gatineau area.
 

Key Learning Activities

As part of this directed research course, students will contribute to multiple aspects of the study. Most research activities are being carried out remotely. The research activities will include one or more of the following:

• Participate actively in biweekly research meetings in English with the research team (over Zoom).

• Assist in planning the logistics and running in-person “listening parties” with research participants.

• Support the creation of presentations.

• Support the research community partner (National Community and Campus Radio Association) with producing knowledge dissemination materials.

• Assist in conducting podcast recording sessions, interviews and research workshops with research participants in English and/or French.

• Recruit study participants, including through emails and phone calls to organizations and through social media.

• Transcribe interviews.

• Assist in the implementation of the social media strategy (proficiency in Canva or experience creating social media posts is an asset).

• Assist in the implementation of the equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) strategy.

• Assist in the production and launch of the research podcast.

• Collaboratively, conduct qualitative analyses of the journals, interviews, research workshops and podcast recording sessions (proficiency in Dedoose or other qualitative coding software is an asset).
   

The research activities for the FSS 4150 - Directed Research in Social Sciences course aim to:

• enrich your university education as well as learning experience and engagement;
• benefit from direct supervision with a faculty member;
• participate immersively in the acquisition of research knowledge and skills;
• enhance the interests and autonomy for higher education;
• increase knowledge of research methodologies and processes;
• become aware of the knowledge limitations inherent in any social sciences research;
• learn about scientific communication.

This course requires a minimum of three evaluations in line with the professor's guidelines and course outline. Work schedule, as well as research activities, shall be confirmed with the professor. The expected number of hours for the course is 120 to 150 hours.

All regulations and deadlines governing progress at the University apply in this case.

Students enrolled in their 4th year of a specialized program of study at the Faculty of Social Sciences that meet the following eligibility criteria are eligible. Please note that the selection process takes place in two parts: the first selection round is made by the Faculty according to the basic eligibility criteria, and the final selection is completed by the professor responsible for the chosen directed research.

Note: 3rd-year students with 51 credits and a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 9.0 can apply.

Basic eligibility criteria

• Have completed at least 81 credits.
• Have a CGPA of 8.0 or more.
• FSS 4150 may be repeated if the topic is different.

Additional evaluation criteria

• Justification of the relevance of the learning activities for your program of study and your career objectives;
• Letter of motivation: language quality, clarity, and coherence;

Only applications accepted by the Faculty and the professor will receive by e-mail an official confirmation of acceptance. We strongly encourage students to register for another course pending the official notification. You will be able to modify your registration within the applicable deadlines.

Please follow the steps below:

1. Submit One per Course
   Complete a separate application form for each course you are interested in.
2. Write a 200-Word Essay
   As part of your application, you must include a short essay (maximum 200 words) explaining how this research opportunity will:
   • Enhance your student experience
   • Support your professional development
   • Align with your career goals
3. Wait for Faculty Review
   The Faculty will review all applications based on eligibility criteria, academic progress, and course availability. If your application meets the requirements, it will be forwarded to the supervising professor, who will make the final selection. The Faculty will contact you with the outcome and next steps.

Important Notes:

• The application deadline is August 15, 2025. No decisions will be communicated before this date.
• This course will not have a set schedule, appear in uoZone, or be listed on Brightspace. Your research schedule will be developed in collaboration with your supervising professor.