CSA-SCS: Call for Project Lead

The Canadian Sociological Association (CSA) invites applications from faculty members to serve as the volunteer Project Lead for a national initiative examining the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in sociological research, teaching, and academic practice.

As generative AI becomes increasingly integrated into higher education and research, universities, scholarly associations, publishers, funding agencies, and other organizations are developing policies and guidance concerning its appropriate and responsible use. Approaches continue to evolve, however, and expectations can vary considerably across institutions and areas of academic activity.

Through the Artificial Intelligence in Sociology: Research, Teaching, and Responsible Practice project, the CSA seeks to develop an evidence-informed understanding of current and emerging approaches to AI and provide practical resources to support Sociology departments, researchers, instructors, and students across Canada.

Role of the Project Lead

The Project Lead will provide scholarly and methodological leadership for the initiative and oversee a funded Research Assistant who will conduct much of the research associated with the project.

This is a volunteer leadership position. The CSA will provide funding of up to $4,800 for Research Assistant support, representing approximately 160 hours of research assistance.

Working in collaboration with the CSA Executive Director, the Project Lead will:

• develop and refine the research framework, methodology, and scope of the environmental scan and evidence review;
• oversee a transparent and equitable process for recruiting and selecting a Research Assistant;
• supervise and provide scholarly direction to the Research Assistant throughout the project;
• guide the identification and review of relevant policies, guidelines, scholarly literature, reports, and examples of emerging practice;
• oversee the analysis and synthesis of research findings;
• identify key areas of established practice, emerging practice, disagreement, uncertainty, opportunity, and risk;
• ensure that the analysis reflects the particular research, teaching, ethical, and professional considerations relevant to Sociology;
• guide the development of practical resources for Sociology departments, researchers, instructors, and students;
• work with the Research Assistant and CSA Executive Director to prepare the final research report, executive summary, and recommendations;
• assist in identifying and organizing resources for inclusion in an online CSA AI Resource Hub; and
• present the project's findings and recommendations to the CSA Executive Committee.

The Project Lead will provide intellectual and scholarly oversight rather than undertake all research activities directly.

Research Assistant Recruitment and Supervision

The CSA has allocated up to $4,800 for Research Assistant support, based on approximately 160 hours of work at $30 per hour.

The Project Lead will recruit and supervise the Research Assistant in consultation with the CSA Executive Director.

The recruitment and selection process should reflect the CSA's commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The Project Lead will be expected to consider equity throughout the recruitment and selection process and to ensure that the opportunity is communicated and administered in a fair and transparent manner.

The selection process must be clearly documented, including the recruitment approach, selection criteria, applicants considered, and rationale for the final selection. Documentation will be provided to the CSA for its records.

The Research Assistant is expected to undertake much of the environmental scan, evidence review, policy analysis, resource cataloguing, and related research activities under the direction of the Project Lead.

Project Scope

The environmental scan and evidence synthesis will examine current policies, guidelines, research, and emerging practices concerning AI use in higher education and academic research. 

Areas of investigation may include:

• research design and literature reviews;
• qualitative and quantitative research;
• data collection and analysis;
• research ethics, confidentiality, and privacy;
• scholarly writing, authorship, and publication;
• teaching and course development;
• student assignments and assessment;
• academic integrity;
• accessibility and inclusive teaching;
• limitations of AI-generated information; and
• transparency and disclosure of AI use.

Sources may include Canadian universities, scholarly associations, research organizations, academic publishers and journals, funding agencies, teaching and learning centres, and relevant scholarly literature.

Project Deliverables

Under the scholarly leadership of the Project Lead, the project is expected to produce: 

1. Environmental Scan and Research Report summarizing current AI policies, practices, opportunities, concerns, and emerging issues relevant to sociological research and teaching.
2. Practical Teaching and Research Resources, potentially including sample syllabus statements, disclosure language, checklists, and examples of responsible AI practices.
3. CSA AI Resource Hub bringing together CSA-developed materials and selected external resources for ongoing member access.
4. Executive Summary and Recommendations identifying key findings, potential CSA actions, areas requiring further consultation, and issues that should continue to be monitored.

Timeline

The project is expected to be completed over approximately four to six months.

The anticipated workplan includes:

Month 1: Establish the research framework and methodology; recruit and select the Research Assistant; begin the environmental scan. 

Months 1–3: Review Canadian academic institution policies and relevant literature; identify and catalogue resources.

Months 3–4: Undertake comparative analysis and evidence synthesis.

Months 4–5: Develop the draft research report and practical resources.

Months 5–6: Finalize project deliverables; collaborate with the CSA on development of the AI Resource Hub; present findings and recommendations to the CSA Executive Committee.

Qualifications

The CSA welcomes applications from faculty members with expertise relevant to the project teaching at a Canadian University.

The Project Lead should have:

• a faculty appointment in Sociology or a closely related discipline within Canada;
• demonstrated expertise in sociological research and/or teaching;
• experience designing or overseeing research projects;
• experience supervising graduate students or Research Assistants;
• strong analytical, research, and academic writing skills;
• knowledge of research ethics and responsible research practices;
• an understanding of teaching and learning within higher education;
• demonstrated commitment to equitable and inclusive research and hiring practices; and
• demonstrated interest in or knowledge of artificial intelligence and its implications for academic research, teaching, or scholarly practice.

Expertise related to AI, digital sociology, research methods, teaching and learning, academic integrity, research ethics, privacy, accessibility, scholarly publishing, or related areas would be considered an asset.

To Apply

Interested faculty members are invited to submit:

1. a brief statement of interest describing their interest in the project, relevant expertise, and proposed approach to providing scholarly leadership;
2. a brief description of relevant experience supervising Research Assistants, leading collaborative research projects, and/or incorporating equity considerations into research teams and student mentorship; and
3. Academic and Professional Profile Links

The CSA is committed to the values and principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization (refer to our Operating Standards and Principles on Equity). We recognize and honour the intersectionality of equity-based identities and therefore invite and encourage applications from marginalized groups, including Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, persons who identify as women, and/or 2SLGBTIQ+.

Application Form

Application Deadline: November 16, 2026

Anticipated Project Start: January 4, 2027

Questions about the project may be directed to: office@csa-scs.ca

About the Initiative

The Artificial Intelligence in Sociology: Research, Teaching, and Responsible Practice project is intended to establish an evidence-informed foundation for the CSA's ongoing work concerning AI and Sociology.

Rather than establishing restrictive or mandatory rules for AI use, the initiative will examine current evidence and emerging practices with the goal of developing practical guidance and resources that Sociology departments and individual members can adapt to their institutional, research, and teaching contexts.

All project findings and recommendations will be presented to the CSA Executive Committee for review prior to their adoption or publication.