AMI Graduate Women & Gender Studies Fellowship Application

The Alexa McDonough Institute (AMI) at Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) invites applications for its graduate student fellowships. Appointments will start in October 2023 and end in June 2024.

Who can apply: MSVU students enrolled in the first or second year of the Graduate Women and Gender Studies program with a minimum 3.5 GPA.

Research area: In keeping with the mission of the AMI and the social priorities of its namesake, Alexa McDonough, the research area should be broadly related to one or more of the following themes:
–> The advancement of women and girls (through feminist theory and methods);
–> The advancement of social and public policy, including social welfare and planning policy;
–> The advancement of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility;
–> The advancement of Truth and Reconciliations calls to action.

Appointment: AMI Junior Research Fellowships are for an 8-month continuous term, beginning October 15, 2023 and ending June 15, 2024

Award / Support: Based on the applicant pool, the AMI will either award one fellowship of $4, 000 payable in two installments (January and June) or award two fellowships of $2,000 payable in two installments (January and June)

Application deadline: July 15, 2023

Questions? Please email Dr. Carrie Dawson, Dean of Arts and Science, carrie.dawson@msvu.ca


AMI Graduate Women and Gender Studies Fellows are expected to contribute to the goals and profile of the Institute in the following ways:
–> Make one substantive contribution to the research profile of the Institute, preferably engaging with the broader community. Contributions could include (co-)organizing and participating in a
panel, a round table discussion, or a public lecture. AMI Graduate Women and Gender Studies Fellows are encouraged to work in partnership with MSVU faculty, the AMI Chair, the
AMI Steering Committee, and/or the MSVU Research Office, where appropriate, on events or activities they wish to put together.
–> Make one substantive contribution to the life of the Institute by actively contributing to a key initiative (e.g., International Day of the Girl, December 6 Day of Remembrance, or the Girls
Conference)
–> Support the Institute by attending occasional events and meetings of the AMI Steering Committee
–> Support the Institute in communicating and promoting activities through sharing event notices and social media content
–> Provide permission to be listed on the Institute’s website with a short bio and photo.

How to Apply

Submit an application that includes the following:
• A 500-word statement indicating how your academic and research goals align with the above-listed themes and the AMI’s mission
• A 500-word statement outlining deliverables you would achieve in your 8-month appointment
• A current CV
• A copy of your transcripts

Assessment Criteria

• Academic merit 40%
• Alignment with the AMI mission and identified research areas/themes 20%
• Feasibility (e.g. How will you ensure successful completion of outlined goals within 8-month fellowship?) 15%
• Impact (e.g. How will you ensure you have successfully reached your target audience?) 15%

Submit your application electronically to Dr. Carrie Dawson, Dean of Arts & Science, carrie.dawson@msvu.ca, with the subject line “AMI-GWGS Fellow Application.”

The AMI expects to appoint two Fellows for the 8-month term beginning October 15, 2023.


Congratulations to Elayna Foran, AMI’s first inaugural fellow, 2022-2023!

Elayna Foran (they/she) obtained a bachelor’s degree in Women & Gender Studies from Mount Saint Vincent University in 2021 and is in their second year of a Graduate Women & Gender Studies program at MSVU. Their thesis work centers around the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals with discrimination in mental health treatment, with other research interests in feminist poetry and philosophy. They can also be found at MSVU in the Research Office as the Communications Intern, where they coordinate social media output as well as research-based events on campus. With the AMI, they are aiming to engage a wider social community with women, gender, and social justice issues through on-campus events and promotions. In their free time, they enjoy crochet, painting, and listening to K-Pop surrounded by their plants.