Master’s Thesis Student Recruitment: Amphibious Housing in Vietnam
University of Waterloo searching Funded Master’s (MA or MES) research project
Dr. Carrie Mitchell (UW-Planning) and Dr. Brent Doberstein (UW-Geography & Environmental Management) seek a Master’s thesis student to carry out research on the “Development of Amphibious Homes for Marginalized and Vulnerable Populations in Vietnam” project funded by the Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) under the Water Window Challenge program. This project runs from January 2017 until 2019, and seeks to provide amphibious housing solutions to households facing chronic flooding in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta.
Details at: http://www.globalresiliencepartnership.org/news/2017/03/15/Water-Window-Challenge-Winners-Announced
Seeking a student with a background in Planning, Geography, International Development, Architecture, Urban Design, and/or Disaster Risk Reduction/Climate Change Adaptation, although other disciplines may also be appropriate. Experience with qualitative research methods is required, and knowledge of the Vietnamese language would be a definite asset although not a requirement to be selected.
The student who is selected to work on this project will be responsible for collecting data related to the implementation of amphibious housing, household satisfaction with amphibious housing, and community perceptions of amphibious housing as a flood risk reduction and climate change adaptation technique. The student may also be asked to assist with: 1) the development of basic guidance materials (i.e. “how to” guides) that potential adoptees and entrepreneurs can use to guide the construction process of future amphibious homes and/or housing retrofitting projects, and; 2) basic market research (e.g. focus groups) in the region to estimate the extent of the potential market for amphibious housing in the Mekong Delta. The student will be expected to develop a Master’s thesis topic which is broadly aligned with this research.
The student will be co-supervised by Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Doberstein, and may apply to take up Master’s studies in either the University of Waterloo School of Planning (MA/MES), or the Department of Geography & Environmental Management (MA/MES), depending on the student’s career aspirations, personal interests and background. Travel expenses and up to two terms of field research funding (in 2018) will be provided to the Master’s student who is selected for this work. In addition, up to two teaching assistantships will be offered by the student’s home School/Department to help offset study costs during non-field research terms.
How to apply: please email Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Doberstein with a recent CV, unofficial transcripts and a brief explanation of your interest in this project as soon as possible. We will then respond, advising you whether to proceed with a full application for Master’s studies or not. Please note that firm decisions to accept you for Master’s studies cannot be made until a full application package has been received.
Dr. Mitchell: https://uwaterloo.ca/planning/people-profiles/carrie-mitchell
Dr. Doberstein: https://uwaterloo.ca/geography-environmental-management/people-profiles/brent-doberstein
