36.3772, Support: Applied Linguistics: Research Assistant Positions, University of Ottawa, Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute

Tue Dec 9 12:05:02 UTC 2025

LINGUIST List: Vol-36-3772. Tue Dec 09 2025. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 36.3772, Support: Applied Linguistics: Research Assistant Positions, University of Ottawa, Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute

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Date: 08-Dec-2025
From: Nikolay Slavkov [nslavkov at uottawa.ca]
Subject: Applied Linguistics: Research Assistant Positions, University of Ottawa, Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute

Institution/Organization: University of Ottawa, Official Languages and
Bilingualism Institute
Web Address:
https://www.uottawa.ca/about-us/official-languages-bilingualism-institute/ma-bilingualism-studies

Level: MA / MSc

Duties: Research, Project Work

Specialty Areas: Applied Linguistics

Description:

MA level graduate student funding available for two different projects
at the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI) of the
University of Ottawa
Research Assistant positions (2-5 positions available, pending budget
confirmation) for two research projects supervised by Prof. Nikolay
Slavkov at the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute of the
University of Ottawa. These positions are linked to the MA program in
Bilingualism Studies.
Project 1: Family Language Policy
Description: This project focuses on families where children are
exposed to two or more languages. It will collect data about parental
questions and concerns regarding bi/multilingual child language
development, home language use strategies, and school language choice
and explore ways of optimizing children’s bilingual and multilingual
outcomes. The project will also investigate parental beliefs,
attitudes, underlying ideologies, myths or misconceptions about
bi/multilingualism, and other factors that may cause tensions or that
may complicate parents’ choices, decisions, and actions.  Ultimately,
the project aims to offer strategic guidance to families in achieving
harmonious bi/multilingualism and overall family well-being.
Activities (non-exhaustive list): The graduate student(s) will be
involved in data collection and analysis, participate in interactions
with families, review existing resources and curate additional
resources, etc. They will also participate in project management and
administration as well as in dissemination of project results.
Opportunities for single or co-authored conference presentations and
publications may be available.
Project 2: The Linguistic Risk-Taking Initiative at the University of
Ottawa
Description: This project capitalizes on the notion of linguistic
risk-taking and focuses on a new pedagogical initiative at the
University of Ottawa. Linguistic risks are situations where learners
may experience discomfort or anxiety in their second or additional
language because of concerns about making mistakes, being
misunderstood, misunderstanding others, being judged, feeling less
competent in that language, and so on. This may cause learners to miss
campus-wide opportunities for authentic and meaningful second language
engagement. However, frequent targeted linguistic risk-taking may be a
path to increased confidence and competence in the second/additional
language and may lead to feelings of satisfaction and enjoyment. This
project has created a paper passport booklet and a digital phone app
to encourage learners to take linguistic risks on campus and beyond.
The research team collects qualitative and quantitative data of
learner experiences and integrates the activities in various language
courses on campus and beyond.
Activities (non-exhaustive list): The graduate student(s) will
research both theoretical and practical/pedagogical aspects of
linguistic risk-taking and offer practical assistance in the
implementation of the initiative. They will participate in app testing
and concept design, data collection and analysis (questionnaires,
interviews, and app usage patterns), creation of additional resources,
and so on. They will also participate in project management and
administration as well as in dissemination of project results.
Opportunities for single or co-authored conference presentations and
publications may be available.
More information about this project is also available through the
project website
https://www.uottawa.ca/about-us/official-languages-bilingualism-institute/ccerbal/research-groups/linguistic-risk
and through this open access research article
https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/CJAL/article/view/33038 .
Project 1 & 2 Procedures and Conditions:
Applicants must email a one page (single spaced) cover letter
describing their background and interests and a CV to Prof. Slavkov
(Nikolay.Slavkov at uOttawa.ca). Shortlisted candidates may be invited to
a brief informal interview online or in person. Applicants must be
admissible to the University of Ottawa’s MA program in Bilingualism
Studies and be willing to apply for the 2026-2027 academic year
through the standard admissions process (see link below).
Language Requirements:
Generally, applicants must have an excellent knowledge of one of the
two official languages: either English or French. In addition,
receptive knowledge of the other language is necessary. However,
please do not hesitate to inquire further or apply, even if you have
doubts about your proficiency in the second official language. The
program and work environment provides a linguistically supportive
space and can often accommodates various levels of proficiency on a
case-by-base basis.
For more details or specific questions about the two projects, please
email Prof. Slavkov (Nikolay.Slavkov at uOttawa.ca).
For more details about the Bilingualism Studies Program and the
application process to the program, please visit this website:
https://www.uottawa.ca/about-us/official-languages-bilingualism-institute/ma-bilingualism-studies

Web Address for Applications:
https://www.uottawa.ca/about-us/official-languages-bilingualism-institute/ma-bilingualism-studies
Email Address for Applications: Nikolay.Slavkov at uOttawa.ca

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