Head and Heart Indigenous Research Fellowship

People sitting at desks in a classroom

The Head and Heart Indigenous Research Fellowship program (H&H) is a two-year summer research programme (May to July in each of two years) geared toward Indigenous upper year undergraduate students at Western. This Fellowship will prepare students to undertake research at the graduate level and/or in an applied community-based research context. During the first year, Fellows undertake in-person coursework in research fundamentals, participate in experiential and land-based learning, network, and learn about research opportunities at Western. In the second year, Fellows are paired with Western faculty supervisors from across different disciplines to work on new or existing research projects.    

To support Indigenous student learning while increasing their participation in graduate studies, Fellows come together to learn in a non-hierarchal community-setting guided by experts towards specific learning activities and objectives. Fellows will connect with Faculty members, staff, and Indigenous graduate students as mentors on research topics such as Indigenous research ethics (e.g., TCPS2), Indigenous cultural and intellectual property rights, Indigenous research methodologies, community-based research practices, and a wide range of skills (e.g., how to build a CV) linked to academic research and Indigenous scholarship.    

H&H operates in close partnership and collaboration with Indigenous and allied faculty members from Social Sciences, Education, Arts & Humanities, Information & Media Studies, Music, Law, Science, Health Sciences, Engineering, Ivey Business School, and the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.

Established in 2018, the Fellowship responds directly to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action 62 to 65, which concern “Education for Reconciliation” by employing Indigenous knowledge and epistemologies to drive learning and research. Further, the program has helped significantly to advance the 8 strategic directions of Western’s Indigenous Strategic Plan (2016) and its institutional strategic plan, Towards Western at 150 (2021).

PURPOSE OF THE FELLOWSHIP

The H&H Fellowship is designed to support Indigenous student learning in academic and/or applied community-based research; and to prepare undergraduate Indigenous students to further their education as graduate students.   

WHEN DOSE THE FELLOWSHIP TAKE PLACE?

New in 2023! The Fellowship will span two summer sessions of 10 weeks each from May to July in 2023 and 2024.  

Year 1 summer session (May to July 2023):

  • in-person coursework in research fundamentals 
  • experiential and land-based learning 
  • network development 
  • research opportunities at Western 

Year 2 summer session (May to July 2024): 

  • Fellows are paired with Western faculty supervisors to gain practical research experience through work on new or existing research projects. 
  • In Year 2, the program will culminate in the Head and Heart Research Symposium, where Fellows will share and demonstrate their learning in a format of their choosing (e.g., oral or poster presentation, essay, visual or performative art, among others). 

WHERE DOSE THE FELLOWSHIP TAKE PLACE?

HOW DOSE THE FELLOWSHIP OPERATE?

  • Fellows collaborate within a non-hierarchal community setting, guided by Indigenous and allied experts towards specific learning activities and objectives.  
  • Fellows will connect directly with faculty members, staff, and Indigenous graduate students as mentors on research topics such as: 
    • Indigenous research ethics (e.g., TCPS2 ) 
    • Indigenous cultural and intellectual property rights 
    • Indigenous research methodologies 
    • community-based research practices
In addition, Fellows will develop a wide range of skills (e.g., how to build a CV) linked to academic research and Indigenous scholarship. 
  • Head and Heart operates in close partnership and collaboration with Indigenous and allied faculty members from Social Sciences, Education, Arts & Humanities, Information & Media Studies, Music, Law, Science, Health Sciences, Engineering, Ivey Business School, and the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. 

How to apply 

To apply for a Fellowship, visit the H&H website.   
Applications from Western’s Indigenous Students are welcome. Western is an inclusive environment. Please advise if you require any specific accommodation (e.g., medical, disability) to participate in any aspect of the selection process. 

Application requirements: 
• an introductory written statement (500 words) or Video (5 minutes) 
• a Letter of community support (e.g., from an Elder, a leader from your community, Indigenous professor and/or mentor) 
• unofficial transcript(s)  

Please contact either of the following if you have any questions: 

Office of Indigenous Initiatives   
Western Research  
Apply Here

 

I have more questions!

Am I eligible to apply for Head and Heart?

The Fellowship is open to undergraduates currently enrolled at Western who identify as Indigenous from Turtle Island (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) and demonstrate an interest in research. Students from all faculties are invited to apply; you do not need to be part of a research-intensive program nor do you need to have any previous research experience.

What is the value of this research award?

Each Fellowship award is valued at $8,400.00. Students are expecteed to participate in 35 hours/week (over a 10-week period) of in-person coursework in research fundamentals, experiential and land-based learning, networking, and building transferable skills.

When does the program start and end?

Funding covers a 10-week period. Students must be ready to begin the Head and Heart Indigenous Research Fellowship on May 15, 2023. The Fellowship will run until July 21, 2023. 

Do I have to be in London to apply?

Yes, the program will be held in person. However, students will have self-guided learning opportunities that can be done in a location of their choosing.