The whole "unpaid" vs "paid" vs "exploitative" internships discussion has been discussed in ECOLOG before but I had to bring it up again after seeing this post.
A "research assistant" position wherein students have to pay a almost 3 grand to participate in an activity less than a week? And this covers accommodation and food? This amount of money is what people pay to go on luxury cruises. This seems like it's a way to fund the organization's research costs while being provided with freely given labor. Exploitative is the nicest way I can put that. I don't think these types of posts should have a place on academic list serv. or if they are included they should more accurately be called for-profit/paid volunteering. Best Regards, Steven Carrion University of Edinburgh > On Mar 23, 2017, at 1:16 AM, Lesley Douglas > <lesley.doug...@blueplanetmarine.com> wrote: > > The Great Barrier Reef Whale and Dolphin Research Programme is led by > Blue Planet Marine and operated in collaboration with the Cetacean > Ecology and Acoustics Laboratory at The University of Queensland, > Australia. http://gbr.blueplanetmarine.com. > > Running from July to September 2017, there are opportunities for > Research Assistants (RAs) to join the Programme. As a RA, you will work > in an exceptional location with world leading scientists. You?ll be > exposed to a variety of research techniques, including: the latest in > genetic sampling; acoustic recording of social sounds and whale song; > behavioural observations; video recordings; and photo-identification. > You?ll be involved in data management, and in the day-to-day activities > of the research vessels. > > The Programme is based on a live-aboard research vessel in and around > the world-famous Whitsunday Islands. The aim of the Programme is to > collect data on the breeding sub-stocks of south west Pacific humpback > whales. These data are important because organisations such as the > Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission don?t have > enough information to make decisions on whether these breeding sub- > stocks should be managed together or as separate populations. The IWC > Scientific Committee has even identified the collection of these data as > highest priority research for these populations of whales. The Programme > is targeted, it?s scientifically robust, it?s relevant and > it?s exciting. > > The Programme will: > * Identify areas of the Great Barrier Reef that are most important > for humpback whale breeding activities; > * Gather information regarding the structure of the east > Australian humpback whale sub-stock; and > * Gain a better understanding of whale acoustic communication and > the potential for anthropogenic impacts within the breeding grounds of > the Great Barrier Reef. > > This is a great opportunity to: gain valuable experience and skills to > further your career with marine mammals; make valuable connections with > some of the world?s most respected humpback whale researchers; work on a > meaningful research programme; and experience one of the seven wonders > of the natural world. > > * The participation fee for a six-day research trip is $2,995 > Australian dollars, including tax. > * The participation fee for a twelve-day research trip is $5,690 > Australian dollars, including tax. > > If you pay on or before 14 April 2017, you?ll receive an early-bird > discount of $300 Australian dollars off the Programme fee for each trip > booked. > > The Programme fee covers accommodation and food aboard the research > vessel. RAs are responsible for all costs associated with travel to and > from the Programme. > > No prior experience is necessary and training will be provided. > Preference will be given, however, to individuals involved in marine > mammal science courses or related institutions and/or with prior > volunteer marine mammal field experience. Places are limited to ten RAs > on each research trip. > > To find out more about The Great Barrier Reef Whale and Dolphin Research > Project (including the dates of research trips) visit: > http://gbr.blueplanetmarine.com or read the attached brochure. You can > secure your place today by paying online. > > Best regards, > Lesley > > Lesley Douglas, MSC. > Marine Scientist | Nelson Office| Ph: +64 (0)27 631-9000 | > Email: lesley.doug...@blueplanetmarine.com | www.blueplanetmarine.com > PO Box 3639, Richmond, Nelson, New Zealand -- The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336.
