About the Opportunity
Position Summary: I year, Research Assistant, Part-time
The Research Assistant will join our team working on our research entitled: Puppy philms: Exploring body image within gay, bi, trans, and queer men who identify as pups using cellphilming. The Research Assistant will provide research, technical, and administrative support to the team and work closely with the researchers.
Project Background
Surging in popularity among gay, bi, trans, and queer (GBTQ) men is “puppy” play. It is a healthy form of Bondage/Discipline, Dominance/Submission, and Sadism/Masochism (BDSM) role-play in which men can either identify as “pups” who dress as, take on the role, and mimic the behaviours of a young canines (pups) or take on the role of pup handlers. BDSM play has been noted to build community connections, serve as a social activity for relaxation, and has therapeutic power for GBTQ men who have faced emotional and mental trauma relating to stigma and discrimination. This project seeks to understand how participation in this subculture influences body image, which for many GBTQ men can be a source of emotional and mental stress. There have been no studies looking at pups and body image to date.
This research follows an arts-based, qualitative approach, using cell-philming.
Roles and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
· Work with researchers on all aspects of the project
· Recruitment and 2SLGBTQIA+ community networking
· Project administrative activities
· Literature reviews
· Communications with community partners and networking
· Writing reports and papers (academic, community reports)
· Social media and press releases
· Organizing and attending participant workshops events
Required skills and abilities for this position include:
· Passionate about equity, diversity, and inclusion
· Has experience working with 2SLGBTQIA+communities
· Understands societal inequalities with an interest in exploring these within the health research
· Strong communication and facilitation skills: articulate and clear
· Ability to self-motivate when working individually, as well as motivating others within the team
· Knowledge of human ethics requirements
· Strong organizational skills
· Strong writing skills
· Capacity to engage with a wide range of stakeholders from diverse backgrounds
· Brings relevant lived experience combined with a broad perspective lens
· Knowledge of “puppy” play and pup communities
Qualifications of applicants:
· Undergraduate and graduate Students in either a health related fields (e.g. Dietetics, Nursing), social science fields (Gender or Queer Studies), as well as arts and media (filmmaking) students will be considered.
Applicants with lived experiences in pup play and applicants from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community are encouraged to apply.
Salary Range: Dependent on level of education
Time: Sept/Oct 2021 to June 2022 (part-time hours, approximately 15hrs/week)
Application Process
Application: A cover letter indicating why the applicant would be the ideal candidate for the position, a curriculum vitae or resume outlining relevant experience and skills, and contact information for three references. Submit as one PDF file to phillip.joy@msvu.ca by Sept 17, 2021 (5PM).
