This internship is hosted by the BC Lung Foundation, with funding from the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions.

The BC Lung Foundation was established more than a century ago to fight tuberculosis, the BC Lung Foundation was among the first to address the dangers of smoking, and to make the connection between air pollution and health. Today, thanks to the generosity of our donors, BC Lung continues the fight for lung health and air quality. They help fund vital research to advance 21st century medicine and other lung health initiatives, support lung patients and their caregivers, and educate British Columbians on how to safeguard their lung health. They also advocate for policies that protect air quality, which affects children and youth, adults and seniors.

The BREATHE project is a community climate resilience research project being led by researchers from the BC Lung Foundation and Simon Fraser University. The project hosts workshops throughout B.C., teaching at-risk communities how to stay safe during extreme climate events, such as periods of poor air quality due to wildfires, periods of extreme heat, and other emergencies.

About the position

The BREATHE team is looking for an enthusiastic student with a passion for environmental health, public health, and community engagement. The Research Assistant will support the senior project coordinator in delivering BREATHE workshops to rural and urban communities in Northern BC that are impacted by wildfire smoke events. The research being conducted will inform government health agencies on how best to communicate with older, at-risk populations, about extreme climate events and staying safe.

Responsibilities

• With the support of the BREATHE team; plan, schedule, & facilitate climate resiliency workshops
• Present and provide education to participants about DIY air cleaners and the health impacts of climate change (wildfire smoke exposure, extreme heat)
• Collaborate with local non-profits, health authorities, and First Nations communities to recruit participants for workshops
• Travel by car to workshops, sometimes in rural areas, to host workshops
• Carry and move DIY air cleaner materials from storage to location (box fans, filters, tape)
• Collect qualitative data from participants through workshops and phone interviews
• Input research data into SurveyMonkey to be analyzed by the BREATHE team

Requirements

• Class 5 Driver’s License and access to a car
• Current undergraduate or graduate student at a post-secondary institution, with preference for those in health sciences, environmental science, sustainability, public policy, or related fields

Application process

Please submit a cover letter and resume to the attention of Prem Gundarah at gundarah@bclung.ca