Open Call for Applications:
The UBC Centre for Migration Studies Community Advisory Board
For wide distribution in British Columbia
Applications due October 15, 2021
The UBC Centre for Migration Studies is seeking interested individuals from community-organizations and service providing agencies that work with immigrants and refugees in British Columbia to become members of its Community Advisory Board in the fall of 2021. A diverse mix of Community Advisory Board members is being sought to guide the priorities and research initiatives of the Centre for Migration Studies. In exchange for their service, members will have the opportunity to build networks of relationships with fellow experts and leaders in issues relating to the experiences of immigrants and refugees across the province.
Currently, an open application process is being held by the Centre for Migration Studies to invite expressions of interest. Applications can be completed by filling in and submitting our online expression of interest form at: https://bit.ly/CommunityAdvisoryBoard
The Centre for Migration Studies is based at UBC Vancouver and located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples. Bringing together researchers from a wide range of disciplines, the Centre seeks to understand and engage in debate about the drivers and consequences of international migration through research, education, and outreach. The Centre is committed to making space for voices that have previously been silenced or marginalized. Since its inception, the Centre for Migration Studies has maintained a strong relationship with community-based organizations and service providing agencies that work with immigrants and refugees in British Columbia, including 10 community partners, a Community-University Partnerships research group, and the Community Liaison leadership position. Currently, the CEO of AMSSA sits on the Centre’s Executive Committee.
The Community Advisory Board works with the Centre for Migration Studies and the Centre’s Executive Committee as an advisory group on issues of Centre policy, programming, and activities. It also provides a bridge between the Centre for Migration Studies and the Metro Vancouver community and the broader community of organizations and leaders in British Columbia with an interest in research and other economic, political and social issues surrounding migration. The Community Advisory Board advises the Centre for Migration Studies on research priorities in the region and on building productive partnerships between researchers and the community. This includes appropriate practices for managing fair and equitable research partnerships.
Serving on the Community Advisory Board:
Appointed members will be invited to offer their expertise during half-day bi-annual meetings and other events coordinated by the Centre for Migration Studies. Community Advisory Board members will be appointed for a term of three years, with the option to renew once for a total of six years. Appointments and renewals are made by the Centre for Migration Studies Executive Committee.
Qualities of a Community Advisory Board member:
- A direct connection to and interest in research and other economic, political, social, and cultural issues surrounding migration
- Connectedness within their community and/or a willingness to make connections with community members
- An orientation towards striving for equity, understanding and strengthening Indigenous and settler relations, and learning from lived experience
- An understanding of, and desire for continued learning about the research and other economic, political, social, and cultural issues surrounding migration
- A value for the importance of fair and equitable knowledge exchange between universities and communities
- Willingness to spend time at bi-annual meetings and outside of bi-annual meetings to participate in the programs and activities of the Centre for Migration Studies
Expertise sought:
In this round of applications, the Community Advisory Board is currently seeking applicants whose expertise may include any of the following:
- Lived experience as immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, or newcomers in British Columbia
- Individuals whose voices and experiences of migration have been previously silenced or marginalized
- Self-identified members of ethnic, racial, or cultural minority groups
- Diverse professional experience serving immigrants and refugees in British Columbia, working in a settlement service provider or other community-based organization
Accessibility and supports:
To facilitate access to meetings, the Community Advisory Board will offer appointed members with support for interpretation, transportation or virtual participation options, honoraria for members who do not have professional positions, or other needs associated with participation and that are deemed appropriate by the Community Advisory Board and within the capacity of the Centre for Migration Studies.
We invite your expression your interest in becoming a member of the Community Advisory Board at https://bit.ly/CommunityAdvisoryBoard
Your expression of interest will be kept confidential by members of the UBC Centre for Migration Studies and its Executive Committee, who will be reviewing your submission and making decisions to recruit a diverse and inclusive range of Community Advisory Board members. During the review, you may be contacted about your interest in joining the Community Advisory Board. A limited number of seats are open for recruitment in this round, therefore not all expressions of interest may lead to an appointment as a member. Decisions about membership appointments will be communicated back to applicants by November 1, 2021. If you have any questions about the Community Advisory Board, please feel welcome to contact Sean Lauer, Community Liaison at the UBC Centre for Migration Studies <sean.lauer@ubc.ca>.
Thank you for considering offering your expertise!
