Period: 1 March 2026 to 31 May 2026

Workplace: Hybrid. In Person on Wednesdays: University Utrecht City Centre, Utrecht.

Some travel is required, and it may occasionally involve evening events.

Supervisors: Jody Metcalfe and Rachel Gillett

Description of Project

In this role, you will work on the project Re/Presenting Europe: Popular Representations of Diversity and Belonging’. We focus on positive examples of diversity and belonging in society. We examine how they contribute to a sense of belonging across various ‘othered’ (minority/of migration background) communities in Europe. This means we engage with popular sports like football and baseball, and arts and culture with a focus on hip-hop. In the project we collaborate with several universities and societal and grassroot organisations in the Netherlands, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. The goal of the project is to come to a more inclusive understanding of Europe.

For your Student Assistant Role, you will be working with the subproject team researching the theme Braided Solidarities. We examine the intertwining narratives of solidarity among Black, Brown, and marginalized communities, showcasing their self-representation through cultural and political activism, beyond the scope of the Netherlands.

Description of Graduation Project

As an intern, you will be assisting the team, working closely with Jody Metcalfe, Rachel Gillett, Francio Guadeloupe, and our community partner Ocan (Overlegorgaan Caribische Nederlanders). We will be producing a series of events entitled The Talk Show designed to enrich public and community consciousness and stimulate critical reflection with and about the Antillean diaspora in the Netherlands. We do this through food and conversation events, in which we discuss lived experiences and pressing issues. The guiding themes of these conversations are: growing older in the Netherlands, flourishing and studying in the Netherlands, and the question of home and belonging. By co-creating its design with community partners, the initiative demonstrates a collaborative model that fosters mutual trust and impact.

This work includes:

1. Co-ordinating with local community partners in the design of the TalkShow project event.

2. Communicating with local community partners about the project – specifically emails, calls, follow ups.

Key outputs:

1. Co-organising two events with our community partner.

2. Engaging with the community partner, local partners and participants at the events.

3. Administrative work in terms of organising and attending planning meeting, as well as minute note taking.

4. Co-creating a report of findings for community distribution.

5. Short summary report of experience, insights and reflections of event.

What we offer:

We offer important and research driven work with a dynamic team mapping processes of racialisation, belonging and identity making. You will receive on-the-job training on conducting research methods, writing, interviewing, networking with experts and public-facing writing. We are passionate about the work we do and try to provide a workspace based on shared solidarities and care.

We offer an employment of 0.2 FTE for the duration of 3 months. The total salary for three months is €1875. (scale SA CAO Dutch Universities) gross per month, for full-time Employment. You will also receive 8% vacation allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. Utrecht University also offers an attractive package of employment conditions, including a goodwork-life balance (including a good leave scheme), development opportunities and an excellent pension scheme. Look here for more information about working at Utrecht University.

Criteria of Student Assistant:

• Curious, eager to learn, enterprising and enthusiastic;

• Language requirements are English, Dutch and Papiamentu/o;

• You are a critical thinker and have a general knowledge of processes of racialization and colonialism across the Netherlands and the ABCSSS islands;

• You have experience with or interest in community-focused work;

• Being able to work both independently and in a team;

• You like deadlines and working step by step;

• Graphic design experience is a plus;

• Good oral and written communication skills;

• You can work on location with us on Wednesdays.

• You must be registered as a student at a Dutch University.

To apply, you submit a CV and a (tailored) letter of motivation to Jody Metcalfe (j.i.metcalfe@uu.nl) and Rachel Gillett (r.a.gillett@uu.nl) by 22 February 2026. Interviews will take place on 25th and 26th February 2026.

For further information about this project, please get in touch via j.i.metcalfe@uu.nl.