A researcher is looking to fill a funded graduate student research assistant position (Masters or PhD) at the Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability (CSIS) in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University. The graduate student selected will have the opportunity to develop research related to the broad topics of fisheries governance and sustainability, fish trade, and/or food security and interact with local, regional and global policy organizations such as the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, The Great Lakes Fishery Commission and The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
The research program focuses on understanding factors and processes shaping the sustainability and
equity of fisheries governance, especially small-scale and inland fisheries, in the context of rapid and
complex global change. The research draws on perspectives from institutional analysis, political
ecology, and interdisciplinary collaboration with natural scientists. Current research projects include
fish value chain governance in Malawi, interactions between markets and local fisheries governance in Mexico, and commercial/subsistence fishing in the Laurentian Great Lakes.
Required qualifications:
• BS or BA in a social science (e.g. human geography, political science, anthropology) or
interdisciplinary field (e.g. environmental studies)
• Strong interest in fieldwork and social science field data collection methods
• Excellent writing and communication skills
Preferred skills and experience
• Experience working with fishing communities and other stakeholders
• Training in social science data collection and analysis (qualitative and quantitative methods)
• Experience in fisheries ecology or fisheries governance
Interested candidates should contact Dr. Abigail Bennett directly at benne592@msu.edu.
About the Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability (CSIS)
The MSU Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability (CSIS) joins forces with the best minds in sustainability sciences across the nation and the world to tackle some of the world’s greatest
challenges. From panda habitat in China, soybean trade between America, Brazil and China, and
fisheries all over the globe, CSIS conducts world-changing research on human and natural systems so
both people and the environment -- animals, habitat, natural resources -- can survive and thrive. The
answers will only come by looking at a problem from many directions. Addressing complex issues
related to sustainability requires innovative integration of multiple disciplines --both social and natural sciences. CSIS webpage: http://csis.msu.edu/
