Sexualized Violence Research Role

Sexualized Violence
Research Role 

DirectSupervisor:Anjali Seshadri,DSU
President 
Term:November 1, 2026
–
March 31, 2027 
Award: $500
honorarium, Union letter of recognition 

About 

The Dalhousie StudentUnion
(“the Union”) isademocratic union thatrepresents and organizes the 20,000+ students at Dalhousie University.TheUnion (1)directsits advocacy priorities tofight for student interests, (2) supports and empowers student leaders to make changein theirenvironment, and (3)provides services and grants
to support students in their academic and social lives.
In pursuit of theseobjectives, the Unionhas a governance structure consisting of a Council of elected representatives from differentUniversityfaculties andstudentcommunities, plus 4 executive officers thatcoordinate the execution of the Union’sresponsibilities to students and its day-to-day operations. 

An area requiring further developmentwithin the Unionisforming an Issues Policyon Sexualized Violence. An Issues Policy is a document that explicates the Union’s stance on an issue important to students, informed byresearch and consultation.
The first step inadopting an Issues Policy is to create a research paper that gives recommendations on whatthat policyshould include. This research paperis the overall
objective of thisrole, but thecriterion forfulfillingthis role is specific tohistory and literaturereview (see “Role Requirements”).
The role’s work involves sitting and reporting on a committeewhich includes two related roles; the Academic Consultation Role, and the Community Consultation Role.  

Role Requirements  

Thisrequirements of this role are considered fully satisfied
ifyouhave completed aportion of the overall research paper thatincludes the following information: 

• Rationale on adopting aSexualized Violence Issues Policy; 

• A
  comprehensivehistory of approaches to Sexualized Violencesupport and advocacy at Dalhousie University and the Dalhousie Student Union; and  

• Ageneralreview of relevant literature on sexualized violence,a specific review ofrelevant policies from other student unions, and a general overview oftrauma-informed and survivor-centricprocedures in sexual misconduct cases. 

Additionally, you may be asked to complete some action items on the research paper from time to time which do not fit neatly within theabove requirements. 

Awards 

Successful completion of theproject
will result in being awarded $500 at the end of the project timeline, receiving a letter of recognition from the Union for your service to students, andpotentialopportunities to be involvedfurtherin the Union’s
work.  

Partial completion of therole requirementsmay result in only a partial amount of the honorarium being awarded. 

Reporting 

An initial briefing will be conducted with therole’sdirect supervisor (Anjali) and the DSU’s Policy and Governance Coordinator to gettrained and up to speed.Your supervisor is also available forassistance byrequest; youshould expect to be supported by the Union in your work! 

Therunning reporting obligations are togive regular updates at committee meetings about progress on your section. The committee meetings happen at least once amonth but may be more frequent if necessary.  

A final debrief will occur with the direct supervisor after the completion of the project, to gather feedback and discuss any further opportunities available at the Union. You will have theoption to present your research paper to Council yourself. 

Forfurther information on the role, please emaildsupres@dal.ca with the subject line “Commissioner Role Interest”.