Assistant Professor of Teaching (Tenure-Track) in Library and Information 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 of Teaching in Library and Information Studies. The position is expected to commence on July 1, 2023.

We are seeking an outstanding educator to join our distinguished, multi-disciplinary, and growing faculty. The School of Information hosts top-ranked professional graduate programs in Library and Information Studies and Archival Studies, as well as an MA in Children’s Literature, a Doctoral Program, and a new undergraduate program in Informatics. The school is a key partner in several cross-disciplinary Research Clusters, including Designing for People (DFP) and Blockchain@UBC. 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

Applicants must have a PhD or Doctorate degree in the field of Library and Information Studies, or a related discipline, by the start of the appointment. We welcome applications from candidates who are defending their dissertation during the time of the search.

Preference will be given to candidates with expertise in one or more of these, or related areas: Information and Data Design, Critical design, UX/UI design, Data Management, and Design Justice. Candidates should be able to teach technology skills in multiple modes to students of diverse ability and experience. The position also involves educational leadership activities such as academic planning, curriculum and program development, resource development, and teaching innovation. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated evidence of, or the potential for:

·         Excellence in teaching and/or course development at both the graduate and undergraduate level;

·         Educational Leadership, including community outreach, working with stakeholder groups, and dissemination, especially in the design field;

·         Capacity for academic service and leadership;

·         Demonstrated effectiveness and openness to working with students and colleagues with diverse perspectives and from diverse backgrounds.

The School of Information acknowledges 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

We seek an exceptional teacher with a track record of employing innovative pedagogies, such as community-based learning, lab-based teaching, and course/curriculum design. The successful candidate will be expected to maintain an active program of teaching, educational leadership, and to contribute to the delivery and development of undergraduate courses in information studies. Other activities include student advising and membership of administrative committees as assigned by the director.

This is a tenure-track position in the Educational Leadership 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 of Teaching 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 expected to have a strong commitment to the mission of School of Information and show the potential of diverse, critical, and socially responsible approaches in teaching and research.

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 http://indigenous.ubc.ca/.

Application materials

Applications are to be submitted before November 20, 2022, via this online form: https://lais.air.arts.ubc.ca/assistant-professor-of-teaching-tenure-track-in-library-and-information-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);

·         Teaching portfolio that demonstrates substantial evidence of teaching effectiveness, which can include teaching evaluations, peer assessments, lesson plans, course syllabus, and/or contributions to Educational Leadership;

·         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 of Teaching Position in Library and Information 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.