Fellowships and Internships

John Lemieux Student Fellowship Program -  2022/2023

The program offers an opportunity for three graduate and undergraduate students at Concordia University to gain an experiential learning experience and develop practical skills in the field of human rights.

The Student Fellowship program is designed for individuals at Concordia University who are committed to the promotion and protection of human rights, in particular in the fields of mass atrocity prevention, human security, peacebuilding and emerging technologies. It provides students with the opportunity to learn about and deepen their understanding of human rights, strengthen their skills in developing project proposals and organizing events, gain first-hand exposure to human rights mechanisms, and to meet with a wide-range of stakeholders in Montreal, Canada and internationally.

Remuneration and Length of Program

$5000 per Fellowship; 10 hours per week; October 2022 to mid-April 2023 (8 months).

The Fellows are not expected to work during Concordia University holidays & closures.

Fellowship Requirement and Qualifications

Candidates enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate-level university program at Concordia University in the field of international relations, political science, public policy, communications and journalism, amongst others. Successful applicants will have an excellent academic record and work experience in the field is considered an asset. The Youth Fellows will be expected to contribute to MIGS’ mandate.

More particularly, MIGS is looking to receive student applications for the following three Fellowships opportunities:

1. Principles for Peace Fellowship

MIGS is a member of the stakeholder platform for the Principles for Peace (P4P) initiative.  P4P is a global participatory initiative, led by the international organization InterPeace that is working to re-frame the current narrow, exclusionary, and flawed way peace processes are understood and implemented. For this project, the Student Fellow will be expected to work closely with MIGS and its Distinguished Senior Fellow, Romeo Dallaire.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

•   Write a variety of reports, communications, briefings, etc.

• Provide assistance with administrative tasks.

• Assist in planning and coordinating activities and capacity building activities.

• Identify avenues to grow visibility and impact of the project and aid in researching funding opportunities for the project.

•   Assist MIGS’ staff in preparing and drafting grant applications.

•   Conduct targeted research and desk review on specific questions and developments.

•   Other related duties as required.

2. Hate Speech and Emerging Tech Fellowship

Working at the intersection of technology and human rights, MIGS focuses on the rise of online hate, disinformation and other forms of online harms, particularly on its impact on individuals, society, democracy, and steps that can be taken to curb the negative effects of emerging technologies. The student fellow will work with MIGS’ project officer to assist in implementing the institute’s new Digital Peace Project.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

•   Provide assistance with administrative tasks

• Assist in organizing and planning events related to technology and online harms at the national and international level, as required.

• Write a variety of briefings, communications, policy briefs etc.

•   Conduct research and analysis of developments in the field of tech and human rights.

•   Aid in researching funding opportunities to expand MIGS’ current initiatives and identify opportunities to expand the project.

•   Assist MIGS’ staff in preparing and drafting grant applications and op-eds.

•   Assist MIGS’ staff in producing and editing podcast interviews.

•   Maintain contact with partners, fellows, and speakers, as appropriate.

•   Other related duties as required.

3. Digital Authoritarianism Fellowship

The rise of digital authoritarianism, which is the use of the Internet and related digital technologies for authoritarian purposes, is threatening the balance of power between democracies and autocracies. MIGS has launched several initiatives on this subject and now seeks to identify avenues to grow the project.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

•   Provide assistance with administrative tasks.

•   Assist in organizing and planning events at the national and international level, including MIGS’ annual AI and Human Rights Forum.

•   Conduct research for MIGS’ new Digital Authoritarianism Index, tracking how and which technologies are being exploited by illiberal regimes.

•   Assist MIGS’ staff drafting grant applications, op-eds, and presentations at conferences, including the upcoming World Forum for Democracy hosted by the Council of Europe.

•   Aid in researching funding opportunities.

•   Conduct research on potential speakers for events related to technology and hate speech.

•   Maintain contact with partners, Fellows, and speakers, and them as appropriate.

•   Other related duties as required.

Selection Criteria

A review panel will use the application materials to consider if applicants possess the skills and capacities needed for the Fellowship. In assessing each application, MIGS will consider:

-           Research/advocacy: The candidate’s knowledge in human rights-related areas and existent contribution to the field, especially the degree to which it complements MIGS’ priorities

-           Multi-disciplinary perspective: Demonstrated record of accomplishment of engagement across multiple disciplines or plans to work across disciplines

-           Administrative and communication skills welcomed

-           The candidate’s ability to deliver on commitments

 

To apply for one of these fellowship opportunities, please send your CV and Cover Letter to migs@concordia.ca by 1 October.

The cover letter must mention which fellowship position you are interested in and why your profile and skills make you a good candidate.