Call for Applications: MA/MSc/MFA Student Fellowships for Arts-Sciences Collaboration

Untapping Watershed Relations: Water in Woodhaven

Deadline for applications: October 25, 2026 ,11:59 PM PST 

 
The research team for “Untapping Watershed Relations,” funded by the Peter Wall Legacy Awards,  is recruiting 3 MA, MFA or MSc students (Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies program, Sustainability Theme, UBC Okanagan). Successful applicants will become part of a student cohort who will: receive training and mentorship as part of a pilot arts-sciences-for-sustainability program; become part of a student-faculty research team supporting community-engaged arts-sciences residencies; lead programing and events; undertake their own independent graduate research that is part of or meaningfully relates to the themes and methods of “Untapping Watershed Relations.”  

Successful applicants will receive support to apply for entry into a 2-year full-time Masters program at UBC Okanagan, beginning in September 2027, with a guaranteed funding package of $14,500/year for 2 years, in addition to any funding (including Teaching Assistantships) that may be offered by the graduate program. All eligible applicants will also be supported in the preparation of a Canadian Graduate Research Scholarship – Masters, which, if successful, is $27,000 for 12 months.  

Prospective applicants will have completed a BA, BFA or BSc, and will be eligible to pursue a Masters-level degree in UBCO’s Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies (IGS) program, supervised by one of the research team faculty and including at least one other member of the research team on their supervisory committee (see availability and links to profiles below. Final supervisory arrangements will be determined in conjunction with the research team). The Masters research will integrate two or more of the following areas:  

  • Environmental humanities 
  • Gender and Sexuality Studies 
  • Cultural Studies  
  • Creative Writing  
  • Visual and Performing Arts 
  • Curatorial practice 
  • Film and Media Studies  
  • Psychology 
  • Environmental Science  
  • Hydrology
  • Sustainability  
  • Conservation Management  
  • Indigenous Contemporary Art 
  • Land-based art practice  
  • Science communication 
  • Neuroscience 
  • Correlates/consequences of climate change 
  • Equity in science 

Applicants should submit the following as 1 pdf file to feeledlab@gmail.com no later than 11:59 pm, October 25, 2026. 

  • A 1-pg motivation statement, including (a) a positionality statement; (b) which faculty team members they would like to work with and why; and (c) any other relevant information  
  • CV 
  • 1-pg preliminary research proposal that indicates (a) preliminary research questions; (b) background and justification, including connection to “Untapping Watershed Relations” project; (b) preliminary research design (e.g. methods, theoretical frameworks, timeline). (Successful applicants will work with the research team to prepare a finalized proposal for submission as part of the IGS application process.)  
  • If you are applying for an MFA, a portfolio of creative work. (See MFA program application requirements for details of what the portfolio should include) 

Selection Criteria 

  • Relevant scholarly, professional or related background (including but not limited to: science communication, community-engaged arts, watershed stewardship, arts organizing, arts-sciences)  
  • Strength of scholarly, professional or related achievements (including but not limited to academic awards, publications, successful grants, exhibitions, collaborations) 
  • Quality and suitability of research proposal  
  • While all strong applicants will be considered, we especially welcome applicants from historically and systematically marginalized groups (HSMP), and applicants with existing connections to syilx Okanagan territories and the Bellevue Creek watershed area.  

Timeline:  

  • September 18 2026: Applications open 
  • October 25 2026, 11:59 pm: Applications close  
  • November 9-13 2026: Interviews for shortlisted applicants   
  • November 13 2026: Announcement of results 
  • December 1 2026: CGSM deadline (if applicable)  
  • January 15 2027: Deadline for Application to IGS Sustainability for successful applicants.  

*Admission into the IGS Sustainability program is contingent on applicants fulfilling all eligibility criteria and requirements of the application process, and the final decision of the IGS Admissions committee.  

Project Information:  

Untapping Watershed Relations: Water in Woodhaven (2026-2029): The Okanagan Nation Alliance’s Water Strategy calls for collaborative efforts to “Build collective siwɬkʷ [water] consciousness.” This entails understanding watersheds not only as hydrological, but also social and cultural entities. Guided by this call, the project will address current water stress and ecological deterioration in Woodhaven Regional Park (Kelowna, BC) as part of the greater Bellevue Creek watershed. It will train a cohort of interdisciplinary graduate students in arts-sciences methodologies specifically around watershed relations, and support this cohort to develop, implement and contribute to a series of science-informed, interdisciplinary arts-led community engagement activities that foreground climate and water justice principles.  

Research Team:  
Astrida Neimanis (available to serve as supervisor, co-supervisor or committee member)  

Michael V. Smith (available to serve as supervisor, co-supervisor or committee member) 

Tareq Yousef (available to serve as co-supervisor or committee member) 

Adam Wei (available to serve as co-supervisor or committee member)

Tania Willard (available to serve as committee member)  

More information about the project can be found at: https://walllegacyawards.ubc.ca/awardees/ 

If you have questions about this call, please contact feeledlab@gmail.com.