Tenure Track Position Indigenous Social Work and Scholarship or Anti-Black Racism and Black Scholar

Tenure Track Position Indigenous Social Work and Scholarship or Anti-Black Racism and Black Scholarship

 Located in downtown Toronto, the largest and most culturally diverse city in Canada and on Treaty 13, the  territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and the Wendat Peoples, the School of Social Work in the Faculty of Community Services [FCS] at Ryerson University invites applications for a tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor, commencing July 1, 2021, subject to final budgetary approval.

The School of Social Work acknowledges the contributions, lived experiences and remarkable resilience of Indigenous and Black identified peoples who continue to seek liberation within the colonial project of Canada.  We strive to be a leader in critical social work education, research, and practice that works against anti-Black racism and anti-Indigenous racism, and advances anti-oppression, anti-racism, anti-colonialism/decolonization, feminism, anti-capitalism, queer and trans liberation struggles, issues in disability and Madness, among other social justice struggles. For this opportunity, we are seeking candidates who bring Indigenous or Black scholarship, research, and social work practice.  

The successful candidate will engage in a combination of teaching, scholarly research or creative activity and service duties while maintaining an inclusive, equitable, and collegial work environment across all activities; pursue a strong research program or creative activity that produces transformative, community-engaged scholarship and practice that contributes to social justice and social change;  teach and contribute Indigenous knowledges and anti-colonial/decolonizing or Black scholarship and resistance to anti-Black racism to the curriculum; assist in the review and development of new courses; enhance relationships with Indigenous or Black-centred agencies and communities; and engage in collegial service that contributes to the continuing success of the School of Social Work, the Faculty and the University.

Candidates must have an earned doctorate degree, and at least one degree in social work [e.g. MSW or BSW]. Candidates who are all-but-dissertation [ABD] and are able to demonstrate that they are close to completion, may also be considered. Candidates must further provide evidence of the following:

• social work practice experience;
• an emerging scholarly research program and/or creative activity which may include, but is not limited to, peer-reviewed publications, working papers, public policy contributions, presentations at academic conferences, community and professional work, grants, research related awards and other writing or creative production that contributes to the visibility and prominence of the discipline;
• potential for teaching excellence at all levels of the undergraduate and graduate curricula which may include, but is not limited to, experience with course and curriculum review and/or development, examples of critical pedagogy, including familiarity with classroom technology and experiential learning, with samples of course syllabi, teaching evaluations, teaching awards, and other relevant teaching accomplishments;
• a focus on​ Indigenous or Black scholarship and social work practice​ and commitment to community engagement;
• commitment to the University’s values of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion as it pertains to service, teaching, and scholarly research or creative activities, including a demonstrated ability to make learning accessible and inclusive for a diverse student population; and
• a demonstrated commitment to service that enhances the collegial governance of the School and the success of our students
• familiarity with instructional technology is an asset.

Our committee recognizes that scholars have varying career paths and that career interruptions can be part of an excellent academic record. Candidates are encouraged to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or career interruptions.

This position falls under the jurisdiction of the Ryerson Faculty Association (RFA) (www.rfanet.ca). The RFA collective agreement can be viewed here and a summary of RFA benefits can be found here.

Ryerson University

Serving a highly diverse student population of over 45,000, with 100+ undergraduate and graduate programs built on the integration of theoretical and practical learning and distinguished by a professionally focused curriculum with a strong emphasis on excellence in teaching, research and creative activities, Ryerson is a vibrant, urban university known for its culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, community engagement and city-building through its award-winning architecture.

School of Social Work

The Ryerson School of Social Work prides itself both on the quality of its teaching and the breadth and excellence of its research. Currently, the School offers a four-year BSW program, advanced standing BSW programs to students with prior education and experience, a BSW program for Indigenous students offered in collaboration with First Nations Technical Institute, and a Master of Social Work program. The School is located within the Faculty of Community Services, which offers a range of programs that provide rich opportunities for collaborative and international initiatives in teaching and research. 

Working at Ryerson

At the intersection of mind and action, Ryerson is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. At Ryerson and within our department/school, we firmly believe that equity, diversity and inclusion are integral to this path; our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.

Dedicated to a people first culture, Ryerson is proud to have been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and a Greater Toronto’s Top Employer. We invite you to explore the range of benefits and supports available to faculty and their family, including access to our diverse faculty and staff networks.

Visit us on Twitter:  @RyersonU, @RyersonHR, @RyersonVPFA and @RyersonECI and our LinkedIn company page.

Ryerson is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. To find out more about legal and policy obligations please visit the accessibility and Human Rights websites.

Ryerson University welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations,

Métis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, Black-identified persons, other racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQQIA people.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit their application online via the Faculty Recruitment Portal (click on “Start Application Process” to begin). Please note that applications by fax or e-mail will not be accepted. To ensure full consideration, candidates must apply by February 22, 2021; however, late applications may be considered until the position is filled. 

The application must contain the following:

• a letter of application describing their teaching, community engagements and research interests, discussing how, and in what area(s), they will contribute to the ongoing success of the school
• a detailed curriculum vitae;
• two recent writing samples;
• results of teaching evaluations or equivalent evidence such as a teaching dossier;
• names and contact information for three references.

Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority, in accordance with Canadian immigration regulations. Candidates must therefore indicate in their application if they are a permanent resident or citizen of Canada.

Contacts

Any confidential inquiries about the opportunity can be directed to Dr. Valerie Borum, Director and Chair of the Department Hiring Committee, in the School of Social Work by email valerie.borum@ryerson.ca​ prior to the closing date.

Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about working at Ryerson University are welcome to contact Tracey King [t26king@ryerson.ca],  Indigenous Human Resources Lead.

Black identified candidates who wish to learn more about working at Ryerson University are welcome to contact Shurla Charles-Forbes, Black Faculty & Staff Community Network at bfscn@ryerson.ca. 

For any confidential accommodation needs in order to participate in the recruitment and selection process and/or inquiries regarding accessing the Faculty Recruitment Portal, please contact Michelle Gomes [michelle.gomes@ryerson.ca], HR Advisor.