Science, Technology, and Society Internship

Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities. For over 35 years, Environmental Defence has worked at the municipal, provincial and federal level to safeguard our freshwater, create livable communities, decrease Canadians’ exposure to toxic chemicals, end plastic pollution, tackle climate change and build a clean economy.

The Task

The tar sands tailings ponds are immense lakes of toxic waste the oil industry creates as they separate bitumen from sands. The toxic lakes, called ‘tailings ponds’, now cover an area larger than 2.6 times the city of Vancouver and store over 1.4 trillion litres of toxic fluids. Tar sands tailings ponds contaminate the groundwater, surrounding environment, and downstream Indigenous communities due to ongoing seepage. Environmental Defence is leading a coalition of environmental and Indigenous organizations, in close consultation with the Indigenous nations downstream of the tar sands, in order to put a stop to the contamination caused by the toxic tailings.

This internship aims to support Environmental Defence’s Program Manager in filling key technical information gaps regarding the tailings and their impacts. Given the complexity of the topic and the deliberate lack of transparency from oil companies and local regulatory bodies, obtaining up-to-date and accurate information about the toxicity of the tailings, the options for and viability of treatment and clean up, and the documented adverse effects of the tailings demands a combination of academically rigorous literature review and curiosity-driven detective work. The intern will be adding capacity to EDC’s team to collect this information and present it in a digestible format to inform the campaign.

The Position

The exact deliverables of the internship will be agreed upon between the intern and Environmental Defence staff based on competencies and interests. However, the internship will include activities such as:

• Conducting an in-depth literature review on one of the following topics:
  • methods for decontamination of tailings and reclamation of the landscape, meaning the return of the area from toxic lakes to a state that can support original land use;
  • adverse effects of exposure to tailings fluids on human health;
  • jurisdictional scan of best practices for the management of contaminated sites, including guidelines for the assessment, remediation, and monitoring of sites.
  • other relevant areas of interest which relate to toxicity, environmental and human health impacts, and rehabilitation of the land.
• Producing one or more short technical briefing notes on one or more of the previous topics that will be used to inform internal strategic decision-making, in conversations with stakeholders.
• Depending on the interest of the student, supporting the creation of a strategy to share with stakeholders and the public.
• Depending on the interest of the student, join coalition meetings and stakeholder meetings to shadow EDC staff and, when relevant, share out the information collected with partners.

Conditions

• The student is expected to work on the project on a weekly basis.
• One weekly meeting with Program Manager (virtual or in person, the office is a walkable distance from UofT St George Campus).
• The balance of the work is remote.

Preferred Competencies

• Proficiency in conducting desktop research, literature review and summarization across various sources.
• Excellent written communication abilities for presenting complex research analyses.
• Academic background in Science & Technology Studies, Environmental Toxicology, Environmental Monitoring, Assessment and Remediation, and/or Science Policy.
• Interest in the topic of environmental justice.

The International Network for Governmental Science Advice (INGSA) is a non-governmental organisation established in 2014 to create a unique network of practitioners and researchers who are interested in helping to structure and strengthen science policy interfaces and processes in multiple contexts, from everyday policy making, to dealing with public emergencies, to strengthening diplomatic relationships. With three regional chapters in the Global South, and collaborators across Europe and North America, INGSA develops resources and opportunities for training and exchange on the skills and structures at the science policy interface. In collaboration with the International Science Council (ISC), we are developing a program of work for joint to develop a new suite of in-person and online training modules, aimed at the ISC membership globally.

The Task

There is a need for a review and update of existing resources in science policy interface (SPI) training and field-building resources available in online-format especially. We are especially interested to find out what exactly specific fields or agencies may be offering to niche constituencies, as these may be harder to find. The purpose of this project is threefold:

• Clarifying the current ‘state of the industry’ practices in remote-learning and online professional development pedagogy.
• Updating the INGSA database of tools and resources that includes an updated annotated compendium with short tool descriptions.
• Developing recommendations of where INGSA effort in online training would have the most impact. These recommendations will be presented to INGSA and ISC Boards for consideration.

The Position(s)

The intern will:

• Produce a short review/update of remote-learning and online professional development pedagogy.
• Conduct a web search to update the database of tools and resources. Task may include working with INGSA staff to develop searchability criteria and tagging for INGSA website.
• Based on 1 & 2, work with INGSA to develop preliminary gap analysis of the training landscape and – with INGSA staff – develop suggestions for INGSA concerning online trainings.

Conditions

This is a remote position that can be based at the Intern’s place of residence. They will work closely with INGSA secretariate Staff, which is hosted and co-located at The Centre for Informed Futures at the University of Auckland

Preferred Competencies

• Some experience (student or professional) with online self-directed pedagogy and knowledge of platforms and options.
• Capacity to perform, analyse, and synthesise desktop research and rapidly review literature across a range of sources and summary documents.
• Experience in compiling and analysing qualitative research.
• Ability to prepare, interpret and present material, including presentations, reports, and research summaries.
• Ability to work and communicate across internal and external stakeholders.
• Event management and planning experience is an asset.

Quirks & Quarks is the award-winning radio science program of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The program is heard by a national audience in Canada, and by thousands more around the world on our weekly podcast.

For the past half century, Quirks & Quarks has brought its listeners to the cutting edge of scientific inquiry. Every week, the program presents the people behind the latest discoveries in the physical and natural sciences, from the smallest subatomic particle to the largest objects in the sky and everything in between. The program also examines the political, social, environmental, and ethical implications of new developments in science and technology. Quirks & Quarks is a program for people fascinated by the world above, below, and around them. And you don't need a PhD to enjoy it.

The Task

The goal of this internship is to provide interns an opportunity to learn the Quirks & Quarks production process and develop a pitch and outline for a roughly 20-minute documentary-style radio feature. The feature will include recorded interviews with 3-4 guests on a subject of significant scientific interest and newsworthiness. This documentary may be broadcast on Quirks & Quarks.

The Position(s)

The intern will:

• Participate in CBC intern orientation and CBC Journalistic Standards and Practices training in mid-September;
• Learn the Quirks & Quarks production workflow, which includes an early week story meeting, the pitch process, shadowing a producer through pre-interviews, recorded interviews, and editing and production (1-2 weeks);
• Once familiar with the production process, develop a pitch and outline for the radio feature (1-2 weeks);
• Find interview candidates, write interview scripts, record interviews, and then develop a script, edit and mix the interviews, as well as other audio components, into a fully realized documentary production (7-8 weeks).

Conditions

The internship will be mostly in-person. The intern will be mentored by the producer of Quirks & Quarks with, at a minimum, weekly status meetings, with the possible need to have occasional online meetings. Additional interview and script development consultations will be scheduled as required.

The intern will be expected to be physically present for orientation and training on September 18 and 19.

Applications should include up to three rough suggestions for potential topics for the radio documentary. No more than two sentences each.

Preferred Competencies

• Interest in communicating science to the general audience.
• Familiarity (as a consumer) with science journalism.
• Listening familiarity with audio documentary style productions and science radio/podcasts (Quirks & Quarks, Ideas, RadioLab). Further information on radio documentary production is available at CBC’s Doc Project site (scroll down for instructional articles).
• Minimal familiarity with audio recording, editing and mixing using commercial audio software (e.g. Audacity, Adobe Audition, ProTools).

The Royal Canadian Institute of Science (RCIScience) is a registered charity and Canada’s oldest, continuously operating, public facing scientific organization. Founded in 1849 by Sir Sandford Fleming and a group of engineers, surveyors, and entrepreneurs, RCIScience is older than Canada itself and will celebrate its 175th anniversary in 2024. Our goal now, as it was then, is to build a science culture in Canada, fostering science literacy by giving Canadians direct access to the diversity of scientists working in the sector. Through our platforms, we provide scientists with hands-on training and an opportunity to hone their communication skills on a real platform, with a real audience. These platforms for public engagement with scientists foster critical thinking, expand science dialogue and promote informed decision making in our country.

The Task

As RCIScience prepares to celebrate its 175th anniversary, we have an exciting opportunity for an interested student to delve into our extensive archives held at the Fisher Rare Book Library and, under our guidance, extract stories of interest for our various audiences (adult public, scientists, funders, etc.). We’ll work together to determine the best medium and platform to communicate these stories that explore RCIScience’s role in shaping the research landscape and history of science in Canada. Outputs may include social media content, videos, blog posts, magazine articles, an event or something else entirely; you have an opportunity to discover and develop your communication strengths, growing a portfolio of science communication content on a real platform, with a real audience.

The Position(s)

RCIScience is seeking an intern to:

• Mine its archives for interesting and celebratory stories that showcase RCIScience’s role in shaping the history of science in Canada, highlight scientific discovery in Canada or show how research in the country has changed over time. We’ll work together to explore avenues of interest;
• Develop their science communication skills to share these stories with a variety of audiences (adult public, scientists, funders, etc.) through a range of media (including social media, video, in-person events, blog or magazine articles, a timeline, infographic or something else entirely).

Conditions

Together, we’ll develop a workplan and identify key deliverables. The intern must be available for weekly virtual progress meetings with the Programs Manager, to be determined at a mutually agreed time. They must also able to work independently, under the guidance of the team. The intern will work mostly remotely, with opportunities to join in-person events and meetings in the GTA. 

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, particularly for non-expert audiences.
• A passion for history of science.
• Expertise in and passion for archival work.
• A passion for science communication and learning best practices in the field.
• Familiarity with Google suite.
• Professional email communication.
• Expertise with Canva.
• Experience in digital content creation (e.g. for social media or blogs) is an asset.
• Video editing skills an asset.

Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities (SCHC) is dedicated to meeting the diverse, holistic health needs of the communities of Scarborough by addressing the physical, mental, social, financial and environmental aspects of their health. Through the promotion of healthy lifestyles and the delivery of a comprehensive range of culturally competent health and social services, we cultivate vital and connected communities.

The Task

Community Based Research is an approach to research that follows three principles: community-focused, participatory, and action-oriented. The essential notion of this approach is that it is the community or population of focus members that collaboratively design the research and decide the outcomes. They collaborate on how to measure success, how to analyse the selected data and how to interpret the results and how to build action plans that will result in meaningful improvements in their lives. SCHC is currently embarking upon a journey towards becoming a leader in CBR, starting with training key staff and community partners on what CBR is and how to conduct it, through guidance from the Centre for Community Based Research. Ultimately over the summer of 2023, we intend to land on our organization’s CBR research priorities and approach to determining key projects to conduct that will propel us into the role as a leader in our community on CBR.

The objective of this internship is to engage in CBR planning tables and study the methods used to evaluate the projects, select policy changes and net new policy developments required over time to get us there. The student will be expected to utilize qualitative content analysis to drive a literature review that demonstrates key opportunities to challenge this approach, and in turn help the organization’s leaders push for reflective evaluation that is rooted in co-design and equity of opportunities to better health outcomes.

The Position(s)

SCHC is seeking an intern to conduct the literature review, and community engagement activities that will identify:

• A set of key items for funders to help challenge the notion of CBR methodologies that highlight disparities and barriers to healthcare resulting in deepening inequities in health outcomes.
• Alternatives to consider when reviewing how best to address health disparities rooted in CBR’s philosophical considerations on how scientific and technological trends to research are limiting our understanding of the impact on health care industries, particularly community health and mental health systems, versus actual population health outcomes.

Conditions

The internship will be mostly remote, with possible need to come on site occasionally. The intern will meet with their supervisor bi-weekly, or more often, if necessary.

Preferred Competencies 

• Ability to reflect and consider the impact of population health outcomes on a variety of life situations that might not be readily captured in conventional census data.
• Ability to utilize qualitative data to verify findings and support challenges to shift thinking in current methodology.
• Good communication skills in presentation and report writing.
• Excellent listening and interviewing skills to engage a variety of players in the system both in and outside of healthcare.

Co-educational, bilingual, and internationally minded since 1962, Toronto French School (TFS), Canada’s International School teaches the curricula of France and Ontario through the framework established by the IB programs, leading to the French National Brevet diploma, the Ontario Secondary School Diploma and the Advanced Bilingual IB Diploma. As such, it offers an experience that is rich in challenge, diversity, and opportunity to students whose families come from 40+ different countries.

The Task

At TFS, students undertake the IB Diploma program during their last two years of high school. The unique and highly regarded Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course provides an opportunity for students to reflect on the nature of knowledge, and on how we know what we claim to know. The TOK course is mandatory for all students and is central to the educational philosophy of the Diploma program. Through discussions of these and other questions, students gain greater awareness of their personal and ideological assumptions, as well as developing an appreciation of the diversity and richness of cultural perspectives. In completing this course, students also earn the Ontario HZT4U credit, Philosophy: Questions & Theories. Further information about the TOK course is linked here.

As part of the mandate to integrate TOK across all subject areas, STS/HPS Internship / Specialist positions are being opened. The primary purpose is to facilitate the integration of the aims and objectives of the TOK program into TFS teaching and learning experiences. The Intern(s) / Specialist(s) will work collaboratively with TOK teachers and subject teachers to further develop TOK integration at TFS, beginning in the Diploma years (grades 11 & 12) and subsequently expanding to include younger age groups. The Intern(s) / Specialist(s) will report to the IB Diploma Coordinator / Director of Teaching & Learning and will work collaboratively with the branch. They will be responsible for interacting with students while developing and facilitating enriching academic programming.

The Position(s)

Responsibilities will include:

• Participation and co-facilitation of seminar discussions relating to the TOK curriculum;
• Interaction with students to foster curiosity and critical thinking in oral and written communication;
• Development of TOK-related teaching and learning activities in various Diploma subject areas (math, human sciences, natural sciences, history, arts) in consultation with teachers;
• Support for subject teachers when integrating TOK activities;
• Development of TOK-related teaching and learning activities for use in pre-Diploma grades.

Conditions

Work hours can be determined jointly with the school. The goal will be to have the Intern(s) / Specialist(s) working with a variety of TOK classes during in-person learning over our 10-day cycle. Development of teaching and learning activities and meetings with teachers can happen at various times that are mutually convenient.

TFS has adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy requiring vaccination for all eligible members of the community. New interns will be required to provide their proof of vaccination to the HR department on their first day on site.

Preferred Competencies

We welcome candidates who embrace our TFS values of integrity, discernment, respect, and engagement. We are looking for engaging interns / specialists who can provide authentic learning opportunities to students. The following competencies are desirable:

• Experience with seminar-style instruction and the ability to support discussion-based creative and critical thinking is key in this role.
• A passion for working with youth, experience facilitating programs with class size groups, as well as experience developing educational programs and/or activities.
• Knowledge of/background in philosophy and one or more of the following TOK Areas of Knowledge: history, the human sciences, the natural sciences, the arts, mathematics.

Toronto Vegetarian Association (VegTO) is a registered non-profit and Toronto’s go-to resource for all things vegan. Our mission is to inspire people to choose vegan living – for the animals, our health, and the planet – and contribute to the growth of the vegan movement. We began in 1945 as a vegetarian organization sending plant-based meals to the troops at the end of WW2. These days, our activities range from offering cooking demos to providing a print magazine to supporting people on their veg journey. We also organize VegTO Fest – North America’s first Vegetarian Food Festival launched back in 1984. The 2019 edition of the festival attracted +30,000 attendees and 160 vendors. Our greatest challenge these days is to adapt to the modern marketplace and non-profit ecosystem and find new ways to advocate within the vegan movement regionally as well as strengthen our relationship with the local business community.

The Task

We are aiming to learn who the organizations and individuals are in the sector: non-profits, charities, foundations, think tanks, high-net-worth individuals, institutions, media, journalists, politicians etc. The final output of this project will be an ecosystem map that not only lists the organizations and individuals in the sector but also uncovers niches and opportunities for our organization to leverage our unique competencies and create an impactful program in early 2024. The ecosystem map will be designed collaboratively by the interns and will be in the form of a spreadsheet. In addition, interns will create a working document and a 10-slide presentation (PowerPoint, Google Slides, Canva) of their findings that will highlight three key opportunities for VegTO going forward. While the precise geographic scope will be finalized together with the interns, at the minimum, our aim is to have a regional ecosystem map (Southwestern Ontario) at minimum.

The Position(s)

The format for engagement is as follows (approximate hours):

• Experiential learning at VegTO Fest (20 hours)
• Research and analysis of the local business and advocacy ecosystems captured in an itemized google spreadsheet (50 hours)
• Identifying trends and opportunities captured in a google document (15 hours)
• Synthesis via slide presentation or similar – to be determined with supervisor (5 hours)
• Presentation with Q&A (1 hour)
• Regular one-on-one touch bases (10 hours)

Conditions

The intern must be available in Toronto on September 7, 8, 9, and 10 to participate in approximately 20 hours of experiential learning @ VegTO Fest. The intern will participate in the execution of the event, including interacting with staff, volunteers, and the general public. Importantly, the intern should be able to lift up to 50 lbs as well as be able to be on their feet for up to 5 hours at a time.

Touch-bases with the Executive Director and/or VegTO staff will occur weekly at an agreed upon set time, with at least one in-person office day per month at our downtown office inside the Centre for Social Innovation (192 Spadina Ave).

Preferred Competencies

• Very strong writing skills.
• Excellent professional communication abilities.
• Experience in independent research and analysis.
• Strong work ethics and ability to follow through without constant supervision.
• Knowledge of Google Suite (email, docs, sheets, slides etc.).
• Some experience designing professional presentations and/or using Canva is an asset.