FIMS is Hiring: Indigenous Academic Appointment

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT IN INDIGENOUS SCHOLARSHIP, INDIGENOUS JOURNALISM, OR INDIGENOUS CREATIVE PRODUCTION AND TEACHING


Western University in London Ontario is situated on the traditional lands of the Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron peoples, lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796, and the Dish with One Spoon Convenant Wampum. In 2016, Western approved its first Indigenous Strategic Plan including eight broad strategic directions. To support these institutional priorities, Western launched the new Office of Indigenous Initiatives and appointed the Vice Provost /Associate Vice President, Indigenous Initiatives in May 2020.

The Faculty of Information and Media Studies at Western seeks to appoint an Indigenous faculty colleague in any area of FIMS scholarship and creative activity, including media studies and production (including popular music and culture), journalism, library and information science, and health information science.

The Faculty of Information and Media Studies (https://www.fims.uwo.ca) at Western University is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge about media, communications and information. We study technologies, systems, histories and practices to understand the role of media and information in democratic process and the social and cultural determinants of power and agency. Across our programs, we foster two key capacities in our students: the ability to think critically about the world in which we live, and the skill and confidence to make interventions in our communities and lifeworlds. We intend this appointment to contribute to those capacities and to bring Indigenous approaches to knowledge and teaching to FIMS.

The appointment of an Indigenous faculty colleague will be a probationary (tenure-track) appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor, though we may consider a Limited Term appointment with rank to be determined by qualifications and experience. Pursuant to Section 14 of the Ontario Human Rights Code, the selection is limited to Indigenous applicants (including those of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Identity) from across Turtle Island (North America).

We are open to applicants with academic degrees from a range of fields that can contribute to FIMS’ areas of study. For the probationary (tenure-track) position, the successful candidate must have a doctoral degree (or equivalent) completed or in-progress in media studies, library and information science, health information science, journalism studies, Indigenous studies, communication, anthropology, sociology, ethnic studies or a cognate field that contributes to the FIMS areas listed above. For the Limited Term appointment at any rank, the successful candidate must have a Master’s degree in journalism, media and creative production, or a cognate field, with a strong record of professional practice. For both positions, an applicant’s scholarship, or creative work, or journalism must include the application of Indigenous knowledge or decolonizing approaches, and ethical engagement and collaboration with Indigenous communities, organizations or institutions.

Applicants considered for a probationary (tenure-track) appointment must have an exceptional academic record and demonstrated achievement in (or strong potential for) excellence in scholarly research and teaching. Applicants considered for a Limited Term appointment must have an exceptional record in journalism or media and creative production and teaching. In both cases, applicants should have the ability and willingness to contribute to the intellectual and scholarly life of the Faculty community and to the University more generally. The successful candidate will join a transdisciplinary network of collaborative scholars on the Western campus in such units as the Faculty of Social Science, the Faculty of Education and the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. The successful candidate will have an opportunity to shape partnerships with our University and community stakeholders at the local, provincial, national and international levels.

With annual research funding exceeding $220 million, and an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada's top research-intensive universities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western also provides an exceptional employment experience, offering competitive salaries, a wide range of employment opportunities and one of Canada's most beautiful campuses. Western University is fostering understanding and respect for, and connections with, Indigenous communities. The University is working to support the recruitment and success of Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students, the integration of Indigenous cultures, approaches and perspectives into curricular offerings, research and creative activity, collaboration with Indigenous communities, and recruitment and retention of Indigenous faculty and staff.

Western University’s full Indigenous Strategic Plan may be found at https://indigenous.uwo.ca/initiatives/plan-reports.html  

Applicants are asked to complete the form available at http://www.uwo.ca/facultyrelations/faculty/Application-FullTime-Faculty-Position-Form.pdf and submit the following:

  1. Cover Letter which includes:
    1. self-identification as Indigenous person
    2. description of community membership and research or creative relationship to Indigenous communitiesoC
    3. candidates applying to the probationary (tenure-track) research stream must include a research statementand statement of teaching philosophy. Candidates applying to the limited term appointment in journalism or creative production must include a professional practice statement and a statement of teaching philosophy.
  2. Detailed curriculum vitae
  3. Candidates applying to the probationary (tenure-track) research stream must submit a writing sample not longer than 25 published pages; candidates applying to the limited term appointment must submit a selective portfolio of creative and/or journalistic work (attach electronic files or links, with passwords if needed, to files stored on-line).
  4. Names and email addresses of three referees, preferably including an Indigenous community leader.

Electronic applications are preferred and should be submitted in one PDF file (in the sequence above) to:
Dean Lisa Henderson at fimsdeanapps@uwo.ca

Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2020 and applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Applicants should have fluent written and oral communication skills in English. The University invites applications from all qualified individuals.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the application and recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Oeishi Bhattacharjee at obhattac@uwo.ca.

Posted on Faculty Relations website August 28, 2020 (#2020-316)