Becoming an Academic Fellow

The Centre for Critical Qualitative Health Research (‘CQ’) welcomes applications for three-year appointments as Academic Fellow.

Details about the role and responsibilities of Academic Fellows as well as the application process are listed below.

Revised on March 1, 2022

Criteria for appointment:

Applicants seeking Academic Fellow appointment with CQ are expected to:

1. Share expertise and commitment to promoting critical and theoretically informed qualitative health research
2. Have a Ph.D. and experience conducting critical qualitative health research; experience teaching qualitative health research an asset
3. Propose a specific contribution to CQ

Role and Expectations of Membership:

The expectations associated with Academic Fellow status are:

1. to participate in the organization of CQ, including attending bi-annual meetings and planning sessions, and membership and policy decisions
2. to make a specific contribution to CQ, such as:

• teach a course in the Essentials of Qualitative Research (EQR) series;
• take a leadership role in key CQ activities and committees e.g., seminar series, awards committee, publication committee;
• assist with the development and sustainment of CQ’s international initiatives;
• supervise Academic Visitors;
• advise/consult on special topics related to area of expertise;
• present a seminar in the Speaker Series or lead a panel as part of a Critical Issues Forum;
• develop and teach a workshop in the Continuing Education Program: Workshop Series to Maximize the Quality of Qualitative Health Research
• take a leadership role in the financial and administrative sustainability of CQ.

Privileges of Membership
Successful applicants will be issued a Letter of Academic Fellow Appointment (3-year term) for their portfolio.

Fellows who teach methodology in the CQ series can join the regular meetings of instructors to discuss pedagogical issues, new educational developments, course design and to share resources.

Researchers have the opportunity to suggest topics for seminars, to make presentations, to have priority admission to special CQ events, and to request support and consultation on their research and publications.

Academic Fellows have the opportunity to participate in a vibrant intellectual community.

Academic Fellows receive institutional support and acknowledgement from CQ for their research, teaching and career endeavours (e.g., promotions, funding, jobs).

Appointment Process

Prospective applicants must submit the following to ccqhr@utoronto.ca:

1. CV
2. A representative publication of scholarship
3. A one to two page statement of intent outlining the applicant’s:
   • Experience as relevant to CQ’s goals
   • Major achievements* and their significance to the field of critical qualitative health research
   • Expectations regarding involvement with CQ and planned contribution to the Centre

* Please describe your major achievements to date in relation to your disciplinary field, your career stage, and your social location (an individual’s social location is defined by a combination of factors such as gender, race/culture, social class, age, ability, religion, sexual orientation, and geographic location). This information will be used exclusively for equity-seeking purposes.

Upon request, Renewing Applicants must submit ccqhr@utoronto.ca a one-page statement of what they have contributed and what contributions they plan to make in the subsequent term.

Sitting Academic Fellows meet twice a year and applications for new fellows are reviewed/discussed at the Spring meeting each year. The Academic Fellows group will grow to approximately 20 members, ideally with a balance of disciplines and backgrounds. Applicants will be accepted accordingly.

Becoming an Adjunct Fellow

In November 2017, CQ created a new role for former CQ Fellows and partners who wish to offer a specific contribution and/or to support the Centre in a more limited role . Adjunct Fellows are academics or researchers who are actively engaged in networking on behalf of CQ regarding its curriculum and/or methodological innovation. They should have expertise related to CQ’s mission and goals. In exchange, Adjunct Fellows will gain knowledge of CQ’s qualitative health research curriculum which they can take to their own institutions (with credit to CQ), have individual and group contacts with CQ’s 20 Academic Fellows, receive internal communication on qualitative health research content and updates, and the opportunity to collaborate with members of CQ on projects or presentations.

There are currently 14 CQ Adjunct Fellows (view here)

Applications to become an Adjunct Fellow are by invite only. Please contact CQ administrator at ccqhr@utoronto.ca with questions or further information about Adjunct Fellows.