There are many ways to get involved in our education research and development work and we hope you will! You can:
Participate in a research study
Join our team
Send us your ideas
Subscribe to our mailing list to receive notifications of new opportunities; we only use this mailing list to announce such opportunities
The details are available in the associated sections below.
Participate in a research study!
As education researchers, we are constantly working to improve education using evidence-based methods. We value the time, money, emotions, and energy that students dedicate to learning and we strive to make education the best it can be. To know how to improve education, we need to work from evidence, not intuition. To gather that evidence about learning and experiences in education, we need to work with learners!
We are always seeking volunteers to participate in our research studies. We typically recruit undergraduate students, graduate students, and professors, in both chemistry and more broadly. The results of our research are used to improve current learning in chemistry and more broadly. Your participation is important to help make our projects successful!
Studies currently recruiting participants:
What is chemistry education research, and why should you participate?
Why should I participate in a research study?
By participating, you’ll:
- help future chemistry students (check out our research pages to see the amazing contributions students have made)
- help undergraduate and graduate students with their thesis research
- be introduced to new and important concepts in organic chemistry
- learn about how research works
- meet members of your research community in the Chemistry Department
- likely learn something about yourself!
- Many studies include compensation ($ and/or food)
What if I make a chemistry mistake?
That’s ok! We are interested in your reasoning and understanding of concepts, and not if you are ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. We want you share with us what you think, no matter how accurate you are. In fact, we learn from your mistakes how to improve the teaching and learning of chemistry.
Since your grade or status are NOT affected by your participation, if you make a mistake there will be no negative consequence for you!
Plus, since your privacy is protected, any mistake or response you give is not associated with your identity.
Will I be recorded? Why?
During interviews, we can’t catch everything you say. We like to record using audio and video to have an accurate account of what was said during the interview. If we use a video camera, the lens will be pointed at your hands to capture what you draw or do during the interview and not your face. The recordings are always kept secured and private.
Will my name be used or published?
No, you will be given a pseudonym to protect your identity. Only the researcher will know your name.
What happens during an interview?
During an interview, a researcher will ask you questions about different organic chemistry topics. You might be asked to solve organic chemistry questions that are familiar or unfamiliar to you, or you might be asked more general questions about your knowledge of organic chemistry topics.
Sometimes you might be asked about your ideas toward learning organic chemistry. In these cases, we are interested in your thoughts and experiences regarding different parts of your chemistry education.
Are there other risks?
All our research is first approved by the Research Ethics Board, and you’ll be made fully aware of any risks that the study poses.
Will participating in a study affect my grade in class?
No, and your professors will not be told about your participation in the study. If Prof. Flynn is teaching your course, she doesn’t get access to the list until grades are finalized.
How long will it take?
We usually allot 1-2 hours for a student to participate. This time varies from study to study. Sometimes studies last only 30 minutes, but sometimes they last the full two hours.
Roles available within the group
Undergraduates
currently Accepting applications for honours students
Frequently available positions include:
Honours Project
Summer Student Through Work Study Program
Co-op Work Term
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Project Scholarship (USRO); positions available annually
Graduate studies
**CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS**
Graduate Studies in Chemistry with a Focus on Chemistry Education Research - Need to enroll in a Graduate Level Program or Teaching Courses.
Postdoctoral researchers
Currently accepting applications for our Projects in chemistry education research, growth and Goals, and Graduate student training!
Postdoctoral researcher positions are open for our projects in Chemistry Education Research, Growth and Goals, and Graduate Student Training. You can apply using the “apply” button near the top of the page.
Feel free to reach out to Alison with questions and to further discuss the opportunities.