PROJECT NAME: Good life on a small consumption footprint: A cross-country analysis

FACULTY SUPERVISOR: Anh Thu Nguyen

DISCIPLINE: Marketing

ABOUT THE PROJECT:

This SCORAI-affiliated project examines the conditions that enable “a good life on a small footprint” using a cross-country comparative approach. While high-income societies continue to increase material consumption despite sustainability awareness, many middle- and low-income contexts achieve high wellbeing with lower consumption through social and cultural values. The study draws on secondary data from the World Values Survey, the European Values Study, and country-specific datasets, applying Schwartz’s theory of human values and Inglehart’s theory of value change. Comparative cases span multiple countries. The research assistant will work specifically on the Vietnam case study, contributing to data analysis, literature review, and contextual interpretation.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The undergraduate research assistant will support the Vietnam case study by:

• Assisting with the purchase, cleaning, and integration of the Vietnam Household Living Standards Survey (VHLSS) and Vietnam Environmental Data (VED).
• Conducting preliminary descriptive and comparative analyses of household consumption, wellbeing, and environmental indicators.
• Preparing visualizations, including tables, graphs, and charts summarizing key trends.
• Supporting literature review tasks by locating, summarizing, and organizing related studies and policy reports on socio-cultural values, low-carbon consumption, and wellbeing.
• Assisting in drafting sections of the Vietnam case study manuscript and developing presentation materials for the SCORAI conference in June 2026.
• Assisting in preparing short research summaries or blog-style outputs to communicate findings.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be a current undergraduate student at Mount Royal University (MRU)
• Enrolled in or has completed coursework in business, marketing, psychology, sociology, economics, environmental studies, political science, public policy, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated interest in sustainable consumption, wellbeing, and sustainable development
• Basic experience with quantitative data analysis (e.g., Excel, R, SPSS, or similar) and willingness to learn new datasets.
• Ability to clean, organize, and interpret secondary survey data. 
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to summarize academic literature and contribute to research writing. - Experience creating tables, graphs, or other data visualizations.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently while meeting deadlines.
• Previous research, coursework, or methodological training is an asset but not required.
• Familiarity with the Vietnamese language or cultural context is an asset.

SALARY: $18-22 plus 17% benefits

TIMELINE: February 2026 to February 2027

Open until filled.

TO APPLY:

To apply, please submit the following through the posting platform:

• A brief cover letter outlining your interest in the position, relevant coursework or skills, and your availability.
• A current résumé.
• An unofficial MRU transcript.
• The name and contact information of one academic reference.

PROJECT NAME: Mindful Tech Use: A Scoping Review

FACULTY SUPERVISOR: Uthpala Senarathne Tennakoon

DISCIPLINE: General Management & HR

ABOUT THE PROJECT:

The increasing integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into daily life has raised concerns about its impact on individuals' well-being, productivity, and work-life balance. While ICT enhances connectivity and efficiency, its overuse and misuse have been associated with stress, distraction, and reduced mental health. To address these concerns, the concept of mindful ICT use has emerged as a promising approach, promoting intentional and balanced engagement with technology. This project aims to conduct a broad scoping literature review on mindful ICT use to consolidate existing research, identify gaps, and highlight best practices for fostering mindful engagement with technology.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct thorough searches of academic databases to identify relevant literature.
• Develop and maintain a database of sourced articles, ensuring accurate and efficient retrieval.
• Prepare concise summaries and evaluations of articles to inform the research team.
• Assist in compiling findings into coherent drafts for literature reviews.
• Assist in creating research summaries, presentations and journal submissions
• Participate in regular meetings to discuss progress, challenges, and insights.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be a current undergraduate student at Mount Royal University (MRU)
• Enrolled in or has completed coursework in business, marketing, psychology, sociology, economics, environmental studies, political science, public policy, or a related discipline.
• Ability to accurately interpret and summarize complex information.
• Demonstrated ability to manage tasks and meet deadlines effectively.
• Familiarity with academic databases and basic research methodologies.
• Basic experience with quantitative/ qualitative data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, R, SPSS, or Nvivo or similar) and willingness to learn
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel; experience with reference management software (e.g., EndNote, Zotero) is an asset.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate in a team and participate in regular progress meetings.
• Previous research, coursework, or methodological training is an asset.

SALARY: $18-22 plus 17% benefits

TIMELINE: April 2026 to February 2027

Open until filled.

TO APPLY:

• Send your application to utennakoon@mtroyal.ca with the SUBJECT - Application for RA Position - Mindful Tech Use.
• In the body of the email provide a brief description outlining your interest in the position, relevant coursework or skills.
• Attach the following:
  • Current résumé.
  • An unofficial MRU transcript.
  • The name and contact information of one academic reference.