Part-time Research Assistant

Summary Gain hands-on research experience on a very important and current topic! This project is examining the innovations that are being undertaken by urban growers and the organizations that support them to adapt to the impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on their businesses and livelihoods. By gathering data in three places (District of Columbia, Prince George’s County, MD and Arlington County, VA) that are in geographic proximity and are interconnected socially, economically, and politically, this study aims to place the adaptation strategies of individual urban agriculture projects in broader municipal and regional contexts. Project Objectives To improve the understanding of the ways in which urban agriculture DC, PG County, MD and Arlington County, VA has adapted to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and evaluate whether those adaptations/innovations have the potential to increase access, improve equity and create more sustainable food systems in the long-term. This project is already underway but we need a research assistant to aid in some background research and report writing this spring semester. Responsibilities · Main responsibility will be to conduct background research on the policy, social and economic context of urban farming in Prince George’s County · Organize files in Google Drive · Synthesize findings into concise and well-written final report · There may be some opportunity to: o Schedule interviews with various stakeholders in PG County o Conduct virtual qualitative interviews with urban growers and organizations in PG County o Transcribe qualitative interviews o Interpret qualitative interview data using content analysis methods · Expected commitment about 4-7 hours/week for the spring 2022 semester Required Skills and Qualifications · Online research skills: Ability to identify reputable and appropriate research sources · Excellent verbal and written communication skills · Excellent organizational skills · Interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity · Be self-motivated and directed · Experience with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Drive Preferred Skills and Qualifications · Interest or experience with food systems, urban agriculture and food justice work a plus Class Credit · Unpaid, but students will be able to earn ENSP399R credit. To apply Please email Dr. Caroline Boules, cboules@umd.edu, outlining your interest and your skills that are relevant to this position, and include a current resume, no later than Friday February 4, 2022.