The Vanier Institute of the Family is committed to increasing our understanding of families and nurturing family researchers of the future. As a research, learning and teaching organization, we are dedicated to continuous development. The Vanier Institute provides opportunities for students interested in participating in and contributing to the work of the Institute at our office in Ottawa or remotely from across Canada.
Objectives
For the student, student engagement objectives are to…
- Apply knowledge and skills acquired in a related course of study
- Build and develop portfolio in alignment with the student’s professional aspirations
- Gain valuable work experience
- Learn how to analyze data, synthesize information, organize resources and mobilize knowledge
- Explore family-related career opportunities
For the Institute, student engagement objectives are to…
- Actively engage students from diverse backgrounds and varied educational programs
- Collaborate with educational institutions from across Canada
- Build awareness, capacity, competency and community among students interested or involved with families in Canada
- Create opportunities for advanced learning about families
Opportunities
- Course placements (e.g. Faculty of Medicine, Translation Program, Administrative Assistant Program, Health Sciences, Sociology and Social Work, etc.)
- Internships and work experience (paid and unpaid)
- Volunteer contributors (e.g. publish work, research or art; participate in special events)
Past Student Engagement
In 2021, the Institute engaged Professional Writing student Alex Foster-Petrocco, who wrote articles, research summaries, a book review, co-created an interactive timeline and performed background research.
In 2020–2021, Kathya Aathavan, from University of Western Ontario, worked with the Institute, writing an article on measuring couple diversity and conducting statistical research on divorce.
In 2020, the Institute worked with Professional Writing student Liam Konrad from the Professional Writing program at Algonquin College, who also volunteered throughout the summer with various writing and administrative responsibilities.
In 2018, the Institute engaged Professional Writing student Emily Beckett, who wrote several articles, research summaries and performed background research for a variety of publications.
In 2016, the Institute has provided opportunities to two students from the Library and Information Technician and Professional Writing programs at Algonquin College.
In 2015, the Institute provided an opportunity for one student from the Library and Information Technician program at Algonquin College. Students who were previously engaged through placement opportunities also took part in our 50th Anniversary celebrations and Families in Canada Conference 2015.
In 2014, the Institute provided opportunities for four students in a variety of capacities, including administration, research for our 50th Anniversary, writing for Transition magazine and translation.
In 2013, the Institute provided opportunities to an administrative student from Algonquin College and two research students from the University of Ottawa. Even after completing their course requirements, the research students are continuing their engagement with the Institute by volunteering to do additional research and writing about various family-related topics.
In 2012, the Institute provided opportunities to an administrative student and a writing student from Algonquin College. The writing student continued his engagement with the Institute following the completion of his placement. In July 2013, this student was hired in a full-time position at the Institute, responsible for Publications and Social Media.
Student Publications
- REVIEW: Mothers, Mothering, and COVID-19: Dispatches from a Pandemic by Alex Foster-Petrocco
- Work, Care and the Carer-Inclusive and Accommodating Organizations (CIAO) Standard by Emily Beckett
- Lived Experiences: Ethnic Women as Full Participants in Canada by Emily Beckett
- Research Recap: School Experiences of Children in Military Families by Emily Beckett
- Facing Death: Emerging Trends in Death and Dying in Canada by Emily Beckett
- Resource Roundup: Family Caregiving in Canada (October 2019) by Emily Beckett and Nathan Battams
- Joining the Family: My Student Placement Experience, Part 2 by Monique Velisovsky
- Joining the Family: My Student Placement Experience, Part 1 by Monique Veselovsky
- OFF THE VANIER BOOKSHELF: The Family in Canada (Dr. Frederick Elkin) by Cindy Graham
- OFF THE VANIER BOOKSHELF: Parenting Through the Storm (Ann Douglas) by Cindy Graham
- Transnational Caregiving: Family Members in Canada Caring Across Borders by Aru Sharma
Academic Partners
- University of Ottawa (Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Social Sciences)
- Algonquin College (Professional Writing Program, Office Administration Program)
- University of Guelph (Centre for Families, Work and Well-Being)
- University of Alberta (Department of Human Ecology)
- Memorial University (Department of Sociology, SafetyNet Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Research)
Placement Students
“As a writer, my placement at the Vanier Institute gave me a lot of new insight into the myriad and challenging roles family members have to play as they grow together.” – Cindy Graham, placement student and volunteer at the Families in Canada Conference 2015
2020
- Liam Konrad, Professional Writing Program, Algonquin College, Ottawa
2018
- Emily Beckett, Professional Writing Program, Algonquin College, Ottawa
2016
- Jessie House, Library and Information Technician Program, Algonquin College, Ottawa
- Monique Veselovsky, Professional Writing Program, Algonquin College, Ottawa
2015
- Can Shi, Library and Information Technician Program, Algonquin College, Ottawa
2014
- Cindy Graham, Professional Writing Program, Algonquin College, Ottawa
- Karine Kingsley, School of Translation and Interpretation, University of Ottawa
- Krystal Proulx, Office Administration – Executive Program, Algonquin College, Ottawa
- Alexandre Ribeiro, School of Translation and Interpretation, University of Ottawa
- Laura Zuccaro, University of Ottawa
