Student Award

THE CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF CO-OPERATIVES invites applications for a new, one-time award. The successful applicant will be a student whose thesis research is relevant to the topic of Co-operatives and Social Cohesion; who registers and continues in a Ph.D. program at the Univer-sity of Saskatchewan; and who agrees to participate in the university’s Centre for the Study of Co-operatives. The award is not restricted by discipline, and both disciplinary and interdisciplinary proposals will be welcomed.

The Centre for the Study of Co-operatives (CSC) is an interdisciplinary centre for research, teaching, and outreach related to co-operatives. The centre is the base for a recently awarded Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) strategic grant on the subject of “Co-operative Membership and Globalization: Creating Social Cohesion through Market Rela-tions.” This three-year project, involving co-investigators and community partners across Canada, will examine the interconnections between co-operative membership and community cohesiveness in a variety of settings. Clusters of research will include consumer identities in large urban centres, rural regionalization and community identities, co-operation and Aboriginal cultures, and construction of community by means of information technologies such as the Internet. We foresee the award holder conducting individual thesis research that is relevant or applicable to one of these clusters, or more generally to the interactions between economic relations and community identities in Canada. Pre-ference will be given to applicants whose thesis research will specifically involve co-operatives or related membership-based organizations, and to students new to the University of Saskatchewan. Other applicants will be considered according to the applicability of their research subjects or methods to the larger project.

The university provides a unique and supportive environment for the study of community-based organizations. The Centre for the Study of Co-operatives is one of Canada’s leading institutes for research on the membership-based economy. The university also hosts the Community-Univer-sity Institute for Social Research (a SSHRC-funded community-university research alliance) and many programs concerned with community, community development, community health, Abori- ginal law and culture, and other relevant topics. Major university research thrusts include identity and diversity, Aboriginal populations, and technology and social change. Prominent scholars form a rich network with a potential to mentor graduate students in various disciplines and forms of research.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to work with a cross-Canada interdisciplinary research team of scholars. Office space and a computer workstation will be provided, and the student will enjoy research support from project team members, centre fellows and scholars, and the profes-sional staff and research resources of the centre and university.

TERMS OF AWARD: The award consists of an academic scholarship or fellowship covering the eight-month regular academic term ($16,000); this amount includes both a scholarship component and a research-assistantship component, which will involve working several hours per week. In addi-tion, the award holder will be eligible for a full-time summer research assistantship at standard university employment rates (approximately an additional $8,000--$9,000 for the summer). As a research assistant, the student will be an employee of the CSC working on research and publications related to the larger SSHRC grant, and will have opportunities to participate and interact with scholars and community partners as a member of the project team. The award is renewable for up to three years.

To hold the award, the successful applicant must be admitted to and progress within a graduate program at the University of Saskatchewan; pursue thesis research relevant to the award; and participate in the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives. The centre will help co-ordinate the student’s application to an academic program if needed.

QUALIFICATIONS: A record of excellent academic performance, including first-class grades in a relevant academic program or equivalent, is the primary selection criterion for this award. As indicated, preference will be given to students new to the U of S and to those whose research specifically concerns co-operatives.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: Applications will be accepted until the next round of awards is complete.

Please address inquiries to:

Dr. Brett Fairbairn, Director
Centre for the Study of Co-operatives
University of Saskatchewan
101 Diefenbaker Place
Saskatoon SK Canada S7N 5B8
Phone: (306) 966-8505 / Fax: (306) 966-8517
E-mail: brett.fairbairn@usask.ca
Website: http://coop-studies.usask.ca
Admission requirements for new students wishing to undertake graduate studies at the University
of Saskatchewan can be found on the website of the College of Graduate Studies and Research:
http://usask.ca/cgsr/

Funding for these awards is being provided by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
of Canada, the College of Graduate Studies and Research and the College of Arts and Science,
University of Saskatchewan.