The School for Social Justice and Global Stewardship (SoJust) at UFV is launching an Activist in Residence (AiR) program to support the work of activists who are involved in positive social change. The need for this work is readily evident in the world today. Entrenched interests concentrate wealth and resources among an ever-smaller community of beneficiaries with detrimental impacts on people and the earth. Our communities are fractured in many ways: we are beset by social inequalities and divisions, displacements and exclusions, precarity, and a general lack of security.
Time & space to explore complex challenges
The AiR program provides visiting activists with the time and space to examine, research, and address some of the complex challenges faced by the local and global communities that UFV serves by supporting activists to bring their work and expertise to UFV. The AiR program provides the opportunity for an activist to engage with, learn from, and be supported by the UFV community, while members of UFV and its community at large will have the opportunity to learn from the work and vision of the AiR. This is especially the case for our students, for whom the AiR will provide experiential learning opportunities.
AiR program goals
The goals of the AiR program are to: provide the AiR with an opportunity to explore or study a community issue that aligns with UFV’s mission; imagine ways to address social problem(s) for the betterment of community; encourage mutual learning between activists, students, and scholars that create new models of public engagement; inspire students and faculty to become involved in social and environmental justice activism; enhance community engagement and partnerships; expand internship and field work opportunities for students; and, provide an activist role model for student engagement, encouraging students to find their passions as campus and community activists and leaders.
Apply for AiR
UFV is currently accepting applications for the 2023-2024 AiR position. The appointee will contribute to transformative and systemic change in one or more of these areas: environmental justice; equity and rights; decolonization; migration; harm reduction; and, social inequality.
To be considered, the AiR nominee must:
- be at least 18 years of age;
- not be a current UFV student, sessional faculty, B faculty, or staff member; and,
- be able to reside in the Fraser Valley during the duration of the appointment (September 2023-April 2024).
If you meet the qualifications above, please forward your application materials to Paul Brammer (Paul.Brammer@ufv.ca) by April 28, 2023. The search will remain open until the position is filled.
Application materials should include:
- a cover letter,
- resume,
- samples of your work (e.g., publication, website information, artistic /campaign / event work), and
- names and contact information for three references (excluding family members).
Selection will be based on your work in one of the areas listed above, demonstrated capacity to meet program goals, and your commitment to abide by the AiR Code of Conduct (details available, upon request).