Tenure Track Position in Indigenous and Aboriginal Law

Located in downtown Toronto, the largest and most culturally diverse city in Canada and on the  territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and the Wendat Peoples, the Lincoln Alexander School of Law at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) invites applications for a tenure track position at the rank of Assistant, Associate or Full Professor, effective July 1, 2023, subject to final budgetary approval. 

We are interested in candidates with specific expertise in Indigenous and Aboriginal Law. Further, we are seeking candidates who will bring diverse perspectives and scholarly expertise aligned with our Juris Doctor program’s Four Pillars: 

1. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion;
2. Access to Justice; 
3. Innovation and Entrepreneurship; and  
4. Academic Excellence.

Lincoln Alexander Law aims to build an outstanding reputation for scholarly work and an innovative teaching culture. In the spring of 2019, the Law Society of Ontario approved the Integrated Practice Curriculum (IPC) designation for the law school, making Lincoln Alexander Law one of only two such programs in Canada that integrates lawyering skills in each year of the program, which allows our graduates to be licensed as lawyers without articling.

Since its inception in 2019, Lincoln Alexander Law mandates that all students complete a course in Indigenous and Aboriginal law in their first year. In 2021, the Faculty at Lincoln Alexander Law committed to the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action 28 and 50. And in 2022, the Faculty Council approved the creation of an Indigenous Legal Education Committee, which oversees the implementation of the Calls at Lincoln Alexander Law, in addition to supporting Indigenous faculty and initiatives. Lastly, Lincoln Alexander Law offers students with practical experience in Indigenous and Aboriginal Law, including placements in firms and organizations that practice Indigenous or Aboriginal law and mooting opportunities such as the Kawaskimhon Aboriginal Law Moot. 

The successful candidate will engage in a combination of teaching, research, and service duties while maintaining an inclusive, equitable, and collegial work environment across all activities. Responsibilities include: contributing to our Juris Doctor program through teaching, mentoring and supervision of students; participating in curriculum development/expansion, as appropriate; establishing and maintaining a strong, community-engaged research agenda, including pursuing innovative, independent research that produces cutting-edge high quality results; and participating in the academic life of the Law School and the University.

TMU acknowledges that an Indigenous faculty member’s SRC activities may in part be demonstrated through Indigenous community-based/community-engaged SRC, Indigenous-specific creative projects, and the dissemination of their SRC through mechanisms that include writing for Indigenous audiences, Indigenous peer review processes and recognition of Indigenous protocols when presenting research findings (Indigenous feasts, newsletters, oral presentations, and reports to the Indigenous community) that recognize the ethics of and responsibilities to collaborate with Indigenous communities. An Indigenous faculty member’s service to external bodies may also include participation in or service to Indigenous organizations that might not be considered learned societies and/or professional associations.

Qualifications 

Candidates must hold a J.D. or LL.B. degree as well as either an LL.M. or a Master’s degree in a closely-related field. Preference will be given to those who additionally hold  either (1) a doctoral degree in law, a Ph.D. in a closely-related field, or who are all-but-dissertation (ABD) and are very close to completion; or (2) an established record of community work. [Note:  candidates who self-identify as Indigenous and are working towards their terminal degree may be eligible for a tuition reimbursement towards the same degree, subject to the University’s policies and the Collective Agreement.] 

In addition, the successful candidate must present evidence of: 

• a research agenda that is current, innovative, and impactful as evidenced by, but 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 and/or the ability to establish and maintain a community-engaged research program with a demonstrated commitment to knowledges and methodologies grounded in Indigenous worldviews; 
• experience with or capacity/potential for high-quality teaching and student engagement; 
• strong communication skills and a demonstrated ability to supervise students;

• commitment to our 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 
• an ability and willingness to contribute to the life of the Law School and the University through collegial service. With the School’s rapid growth in years to come, contributions to service and administration are valued and thus we look for candidates with the interest and capacity to contribute in this manner.  

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.

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)

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 focussed curriculum with a strong emphasis on excellence in teaching, research and creative activities, TMU is a vibrant, urban university known for its culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, community engagement and city-building through its award-winning architecture. 

Lincoln Alexander School of Law

Our School offers a Juris Doctor program to students of diverse backgrounds. Our faculty prides itself on the excellence of its research, the quality of its teaching and community engagement. We are interested in candidates who will contribute to our existing strengths in research/creative activity and teaching through academic, professional, and diverse lived experiences and perspectives. 

Working at TMU

At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. At TMU and within our 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, TMU 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 families, including access to our diverse faculty and staff networks. 

Visit us on Twitter: @torontomet, @VPFAtorontomet and @TorontoMetHR, and our LinkedIn page.

TMU 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.

Toronto Metropolitan 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 2SLGBTQ+.

TMU is also committed to truth and reconciliation. In 2018, the Aboriginal Education Council released its Community Consultation Report, which engaged TMU’s Indigenous community to identify priority areas for Indigenous initiatives at the University. And in 2021, the Standing Strong Task Force released its own Report, including 22 recommendations such as renaming the University and increasing support for Indigenous scholarship. TMU’s Action Plan tracks its ongoing progress in implementing each of the Task Force’s 22 recommendations and summarizes the various initiatives currently underway for promoting Indigenization at the University.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit their application online via the Faculty Recruitment Portal [https://hr.cf.ryerson.ca/ams/faculty/] by clicking on “Start Application Process” to begin. Applications received by November 20, 2022 are guaranteed consideration; the position will remain open until filled. The application must contain the following: 

• a letter of application; 
• a curriculum vitae; 
• a statement of research interests (note that only short-listed candidates will be asked to provide a writing sample);
• a teaching dossier with teaching philosophy and teaching accomplishments, including experience with course/curriculum review/development, excellent pedagogical practice, sample syllabi, and teaching evaluations (where available); and
• the names and contact information of three references (note that only short-listed candidates will be asked to arrange for three reference letters to be sent directly by the referees via email to the Law School Hiring Committee Chair, Avner Levin at law.recruitment@ryerson.ca).

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 the School Hiring Committee Chair Avner Levin at law.recruitment@ryerson.ca.

Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about working at Toronto Metropolitan University are welcome to contact Tracey King, Miigis Kwe, the Indigenous Human Resources Lead and the Founding Co-Chair of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Community Group at t26king@ryerson.ca. 

Black identified candidates who wish to learn more about working at Toronto Metropolitan University are welcome to contact Shurla Charles-Forbes, Black Faculty & Staff Community Network at shurla.charlesforbes@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 Christine Danielewski, Senior HR Partner at cdaniele@ryerson.ca.