Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Position in Archival Studies

Description

The University of British Columbia’s School of Information, one of the world’s leading iSchools, invites applications for a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Archival Studies. The position is expected to commence on July 1, 2023.

We are seeking a new faculty member for our Master of Archival Studies (MAS) program, the first, and one of the only standalone archival programs in North America. The program has an international reputation for academic leadership and strong connections with local and international communities. As our new archival studies colleague, you will have the potential to contribute to the ongoing vision and future direction of the MAS program and the school. You will join a distinguished, multi-disciplinary, and growing group of faculty and become part of a unit that hosts top-ranked professional graduate programs, including in Library and Information Studies, as well as an MA in Children’s Literature, a Doctoral Program, and a new undergraduate program in Informatics. Located in beautiful Vancouver, Canada, on the Traditional, Ancestral and Unceded Territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) People, the University of British Columbia is consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world, and was recently lauded as the Most International University in North America.

Qualifications and Requirements

We invite candidates with expertise in archival studies, demonstrated through an advanced degree (PhD) in archival studies. We welcome applications from candidates who hold (or are completing) advanced degrees in cognate disciplines with a substantial focus on archival studies; or who hold (or are completing) advanced degrees in a cognate discipline and have demonstrated contributions to the advancement of archival disciplinary knowledge. Applicants should have a PhD in a relevant field by the start of this appointment. We welcome applications from candidates who are defending their dissertation during the time of the search.

The successful candidate has an active research agenda in archival studies; a record of publications and contributions within the field (commensurate with career stage); a demonstrated record of excellence in teaching and course development, ideally at both the graduate and undergraduate level; the potential to contribute to the ongoing vision and future direction of the MAS program; and demonstrated capacity or the potential for academic service and leadership.

We seek candidates who will complement existing expertise and particularly welcome those with one or more of the following demonstrated strengths:

·         Digital approaches to archival and recordkeeping processes and problems, including but not limited to:

o   Digital transformation and preservation of archival material;

o   Theories, perspectives and practices at the intersection of emerging technologies, archives and recordkeeping.

·         Global archival and recordkeeping theories, perspectives, and practices, including but not limited to:

o   Indigenous archival theories, perspectives, and practices; 

o   Community-centred archival and recordkeeping theories, perspectives and practices;

o   Archives and evidence in the context of humanitarian crises.

We seek applicants with a record of demonstrated research impact, as well as potential to publish, teach effectively, and secure external research funding. We acknowledge that within higher education in Canada, traditional or conventional academic pathways can reinforce biases in the filling of faculty posts. We encourage applications that may not fit this mold and challenge our ideas of teaching, scholarship and research.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be expected to undertake an active program of original research, publication, and other knowledge mobilization; to teach courses and undertake student supervision in archival and recordkeeping studies at the graduate and potentially undergraduate level; and contribute to leadership and service initiatives within the School of Information. Other activities include student advising and membership of administrative committees as assigned by the director. Additional responsibilities may include participation in ongoing revision of the MAS curriculum.

As member of a small archival faculty contingent, you will have the opportunity to develop your own specialized courses as well as to teach in one or more of the following areas:

·         Digital preservation;

·         Digital archives;

·         Archival diplomatics;

·         Archival appraisal;

·         Archival and recordkeeping systems;

·         Indigenous and non-Western recordkeeping models and practices;

·         Reference, advocacy and outreach;

·         Non-textual archives and records;

·         Histories of recordkeeping;

·         Community archives.

This is a tenure-track position in the Research Professoriate Stream and the successful candidate will be reviewed for reappointment, tenure, and promotion in subsequent years, in accordance with the Collective Agreement. For a description of the rank Assistant Professor and the criteria for tenure and promotion, see https://hr.ubc.ca/working-ubc/faculty-collective-agreement-and-policies.

School of Information

The School of Information is a top-ranked institution in the field of information management and presents a vibrant teaching and research environment. Our faculty are engaged in innovative and collaborative research, community engagement, and professional leadership. We offer several top-ranked graduate programs with consistent high evaluations from our students, including a PhD program, Masters programs in Library and Information Studies (MLIS) and Archival Studies (MAS), and a First Nations Curriculum Concentration (FNCC), our specialization that focuses on Indigenous information initiatives. Further information about the School of Information can be found at https://ischool.ubc.ca.

Equity and mutual respect are core values of the School of Information; we pay particular attention to the needs of all marginalized and under-represented groups of people. As School we are actively engaged in implementing UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Plan (ISP) (https://isp.ubc.ca/) and the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). We seek to create a diverse, inclusive, and equitable school for faculty, staff, and students of all backgrounds and identities. Candidates are required to have a strong commitment to the mission of School of Information and demonstrate effectiveness and openness to working with students and colleagues with diverse perspectives and from diverse backgrounds.

The University and the Faculty of Arts

UBC has an international reputation for excellence in advanced research and learning. It is located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, one of the world’s most beautiful and culturally diverse cities. UBC-Vancouver’s Point Grey Campus is located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) People, with whom UBC shares a framework Memorandum of Affiliation. For information relating to Indigenous engagement at UBC, visit https://indigenous.ubc.ca/.

Application materials

Applications are to be submitted before November 20, 2022, via this online form: https://lais.air.arts.ubc.ca/tenure-track-assistant-professor-position-in-archival-studies/

Applicants should be prepared to upload in the following order and in a single PDF:

·         Letter of application;

·         Curriculum vitae;

·         Statement of teaching philosophy (1-2 pages);

·         Statement of experience working with a diverse student body and contributions or potential contributions to creating/advancing a culture of equity and inclusion (1-2 pages);

·         Evidence of teaching effectiveness (2-3 pages), for example teaching evaluation, peer assessment, lesson plan, and/or course syllabus;

·         Two scholarly writing samples;

·         Name, title, and affiliation, and contact information of three references.

In addition, applicants should arrange to have three confidential letters of reference sent directly by their referees, by the application deadline, via email to ischool.recruit@ubc.ca with the subject line “Assistant Professor Position in Archival Studies”.

Enquiries may be addressed to Dr. Erik Kwakkel, iSchool Director and Chair of the Faculty Search Committee at: ischool.director@ubc.ca. Review of applications will begin November 20, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled. Applications received by that date are assured of full review. This position is subject to final budgetary approval. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Commitment to Equity and Diversity

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Métis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. We encourage all qualified persons to apply. Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Given the uncertainty caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, applicants must be prepared to conduct interviews remotely if circumstances require. A successful applicant may be asked to consider an offer containing a deadline without having been able to make an in-person visit to campus if travel and other restrictions should be in place.