Interested in food justice, sustainability, community engagement, or gaining hands-on research experience? Dr. Emily McKee is seeking an undergraduate research assistant for a paid research position during Spring 2027!
This interdisciplinary project brings together anthropology and environmental studies to explore how mutual aid, gift-giving, and reciprocity shape our food systems and contribute to more equitable and sustainable communities.
This is an excellent opportunity for Environmental Studies students interested in sustainable food systems, environmental justice, social sustainability, and community-based research.
About the Research Project
The project explores important questions about food systems and community relationships, including:
What roles do mutual aid and gift-giving play in our current food system?
How do communities support one another through food sharing and reciprocal relationships?
How might these practices contribute to more equitable access to food?
What role can mutual aid play in creating greater ecological and social sustainability?
By examining these questions, the research seeks to better understand how relationships, cooperation, and community initiatives can help build more equitable and sustainable food systems.
What Will You Do?
The selected undergraduate research assistant will work with Dr. McKee on research activities, including:
Literature Review: Explore existing research on mutual aid, reciprocity, food systems, and sustainability.
Collaborative Research: Contribute to developing a concept map that connects key research themes and ideas.
Data Collection and Analysis: Assist with gathering, organizing, and analyzing research data.
Research Organization: Support spreadsheet management and other project activities.
Qualitative Field Research: Learn and practice research methods used to understand community experiences, relationships, and social practices.
This position provides an opportunity to develop research skills while contributing to an ongoing faculty research project.
Position Details
Position: Undergraduate Research Assistant
Semester: Spring 2027
Time Commitment: 10 hours per week
Compensation: Paid position
Funding: NIU Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning (OSEEL), Student Engagement Fund
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Emily McKee, Department of Anthropology and Institute for the Study of Environment, Sustainability, and Energy
Students should review the OSEEL Undergraduate Research Funding Eligibility and Requirements for additional information.
Why Apply?
Undergraduate research offers an opportunity to explore topics you're passionate about while developing skills that can support future academic and professional goals.
Through this project, students can gain experience in research design, qualitative methods, data analysis, interdisciplinary collaboration, and academic communication.
Whether you're considering graduate school, a career in sustainability, nonprofit work, community development, or environmental research, this experience can help you build valuable skills and explore potential career pathways.
How to Apply
Interested students should email Dr. Emily McKee at ekmckee@niu.edu with the following materials:
1. Responses to two questions:
Why are you interested in participating in a research assistantship?
Why are you interested in this project, in particular?
2. NIU Transcript
An unofficial transcript downloaded from MyNIU is acceptable.
3. Resume (Optional)
Students may include a resume, but it is not required.
Questions?
Contact:
Dr. Emily McKee
Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology
Institute for the Study of Environment, Sustainability, and Energy
Northern Illinois University
Email: ekmckee@niu.edu
Don't miss this opportunity to contribute to meaningful research on food systems, community cooperation, and environmental justice while gaining paid undergraduate research experience!
