Department: 

Sociology

Salary:  

$10.00 (Max 10 hours per week)

Position Summary: 

The student who fills this position will be assisting a Sociology faculty member, Dr. Brianna Turgeon, with a research project.

Project Description:

In this work, I seek to focus on how Harry Potter fans negotiate their identities after the author of the book series, JK Rowling wrote multiple posts on Twitter invalidating the existence of the trans* community. I seek to understand the feelings, identity negotiation, and boundaries of fans who identify JK Rowling’s stance as transphobic. To do this, I am using both survey and interview data. The survey data collection is ongoing and consists of 85 questions asking fans or former fans about their opinions about Harry Potter, participation in the fandom, and emotional investment before and after Rowling’s transphobic public statements, opinions about canceling and Rowling’s “cancelation” specifically, knowledge about gender identity, and demographic information. The next steps in the project involve continuing to recruit participants for this survey, finalizing an interview guide, conducting phone and zoom interviews, running analyses, and drafting manuscripts.

The research assistant role will include a variety of activities, such as:

Posting calls for participants to social media platforms
Coding survey and interview data
Reading academic articles and taking notes
Coordinating interviews
Assistance in conducting interviews
Helping transcribe interviews
Weekly check-in meetings (~30 minutes)
Writing about the project

Previous research knowledge/experience is an asset, but not required

A knowledge and interest (or former interest) in Harry Potter is preferred.

Adheres to all department and University policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Applicants must be enrolled as a JSU student taking at least three (3) hours per fall or spring semester. (Requirements for international students below.*)
• If not a first time student, applicant must have a GPA of 2.00 or higher.
• Selected applicants must provide evidence of student enrollment and GPA (unofficial transcript or printout of enrollment/GPA from MyJSU.

Notice Regarding International Students:

• All international students must be in a valid immigration status.
• Due to Visa requirements international students must be enrolled as a full-time JSU student and possess each of the following:

1. Passport from their respective country.
2. F-1 Student Visa or J-1 Exchange Student Visa.
3. U.S. Customs Form I-94.
4. Official photo identification.
5. Official Social Security Card imprinted with “Valid for Work Only” or similar statement

Required Documents:

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume
3. Unofficial Transcript

Clery Notice: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act http://clerycenter.org/summary-jeanne-clery act , the Jacksonville State University’s Police provides information on crimes statistics, crime prevention, law enforcement, crime reporting, and other related issues for the past three (3) calendar years. The JSU Annual Campus Security and Fire Report is available online at: www.jsu.edu/police/docs/AnnualReport.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity: JSU is an Equal Employment, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.