university employment

Research assistants aren’t represented as university employees — here’s why they should be

By: Alison Wick, Peak Associate In 2016 SFU created its 2020 Strategic Research Plan, outlining why, where, and how the university intends to grow as a research institution. Part of their plan to achieve these goals is to “strengthen areas of research excellence” — including promoting the research talent of faculty and students. Unfortunately, research assistants (RAs) have been almost entirely left out of the Strategic Research Plan. Despite their prevalence, research assistants are mentioned in the document just twice and only in reference to the “hands-on training” they allegedly receive in these positions. The reality is that these students…

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