Research Associates
Research Associates contribute to the development and execution of the Institute’s research on academic freedom, campus discourse, institutional governance, and related issues in higher education.
Research Associates may include undergraduate and graduate students, early-career scholars, independent researchers, and professionals whose academic interests, expertise, or methodological skills align with the Institute's work.
Role of Research Associates
Research Associates help develop, design, and conduct research.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing research questions and identifying new areas of inquiry;
- Proposing and helping develop new research projects;
- Designing studies and determining appropriate research methods;
- Conducting literature reviews and background research;
- Developing surveys, interview protocols, coding frameworks, and other research instruments;
- Collecting, organizing, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data;
- Reviewing university policies, institutional records, and public records;
- Tracking legislation and higher-education policy;
- Interpreting research findings;
- Contributing to research reports, briefs, and publications.
Participation can be project-based and flexible. Associates may work independently or collaboratively with other researchers and Institute leadership.
Who We Are Looking For
The Institute welcomes individuals from fields including political science, sociology, psychology, education, law, public policy, history, philosophy, statistics, communications, and related disciplines. Applicants do not need to specialize specifically in academic freedom. The Institute is particularly interested in people with experience or interest in research methodology, survey research, quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis, public-records research, policy analysis, institutional governance, and higher-education research. The Institute is committed to careful, evidence-based inquiry without predetermined conclusions.
Become a Research Associate
The Institute is currently building its inaugural group of Research Associates. Interested individuals are invited to provide a brief statement describing their academic or professional background, research interests, relevant research or methodological skills, and areas in which they would be interested in contributing. Applicants are encouraged to include a CV or résumé.
Applications may be submitted using the form below. Inquiries or application materials may also be sent directly to contact@floridainstituteonacademicfreedom.org.
Research Associates participate in an individual capacity. Their affiliation with the Institute does not imply endorsement of every position, publication, or activity of the Institute, nor does it imply endorsement of the Institute by an Associate’s university, employer, or other institutional affiliation.