Dean, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work

The University of Toronto is conducting a search for a new Dean of the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, to take office by January 1, 2023, and invites expressions of interest, applications, and nominations. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a Faculty renowned internationally for excellence in education, scholarship, and research focused on and championing society’s most vulnerable.

Dedicated to transforming lives, communities, and the world, the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work ranks first among schools of social work in Canada and second in the world. As Canada’s first school of social work, the Faculty is distinguished by its focus on its research infrastructure, evidence-based practice, and inter-professional education. Its graduate and doctoral programs are offered to students within a collaborative environment that includes partnerships with more than 400 community agencies. The Faculty’s researchers, teaching faculty, and field instructors conduct relevant and accessible research, influence practice and policy, and equip the Faculty’s graduates with the knowledge, skills, and dedication to make a critical contribution, on a local and global scale, to the future of human well-being.

Diversity and equity strategies at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work encompass all aspects of the Faculty’s operations. These include student admissions, recruitment, and retention; the recruitment of faculty; curriculum, and teaching; community collaborations, and research. The Faculty’s Diversity and Equity Committee and Accessibility Working Groups are part of the Faculty’s strategy to build equity structures and processes that are sustainable, ensure engagement with key stakeholders, and provide a breadth of knowledge and expertise to inform the Faculty’s ongoing equity and inclusion initiatives.

The Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work offers two graduate programs to more than 450 students: a Master of Social Work (MSW) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work (PhD), as well as a combined program in Law and Social Work (JD/MSW) with the Faculty of Law, and a combined Mental Health Studies and MSW (BSc/MSW) with the University of Toronto Scarborough. The MSW in Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency was launched by the Faculty in 2016.

Reporting to the Vice-President and Provost, the Dean of the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work is a member of the senior leadership of the University of Toronto, and provides visionary strategic direction, academic planning leadership, and administrative oversight. As the chief academic and administrative officer, the new Dean will lead the Faculty to further excellence in teaching and research, and work collaboratively with internal and external partners to continue to raise its achievements, reputation, and resources.

The successful candidate will be an accomplished scholar and administrator with a distinguished record in teaching and research and a firm commitment to the practice and values of social work, and to the evolution of its field nationally and internationally. With proven academic leadership experience and a record of consultation, collaboration, and engaging with the community, the new Dean will possess an open and collegial style, a creative approach to problem solving, and outstanding management, communication, and interpersonal skills.

The Search Committee will begin considering potential candidates immediately and will continue until the position is successfully filled. Applications should include a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae, and the names of three references (who will not be contacted without consent of the applicant), and may be submitted in confidence, electronically, to Toks Weah, Special Projects Officer at toks.weah@utoronto.ca.

The University of Toronto (U of T) is consistently ranked as one of the world’s leading institutions of higher learning. Located in the vibrant and diverse city of Toronto, U of T is consistently ranked among the top 20 universities in the world for teaching, research, and innovation by the Times Higher Education, and also leads in disciplinary excellence with top-ranked departments in fields ranging from neuroscience to geography to philosophy. The University of Toronto Libraries system is the largest academic library in Canada and is consistently ranked in the top ten among peer institutions in North America.

The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. In accordance with the AODA, accommodation will be provided to individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, but applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.