The University of British Columbia’s School of Information welcomes all eligible candidates to apply for the position of Assistant Professor in Indigenous Information Studies. The position is expected to commence as early as July 1, 2024.
We seek an innovative scholar and educator, with direct experience contributing to Indigenous information initiatives, to join our faculty. Candidates for this position should have a Ph.D. in Library & Information Studies, Indigenous studies, or a cognate area (e.g., Media Studies, Data Science, Human Geography, Human Computer Interaction, Interaction Design). Verifiable experience working on Indigenous-led information projects or programs (e.g., Indigenous data sovereignty; Indigenous/Tribal Librarianship; First Nations, Inuit, or Métis language stewardship; or repatriation initiatives), is required. The position will require subject expertise intertwined with the capacity to enliven this knowledge within classroom contexts. The holder of this position must be able to work with students and faculty from diverse backgrounds, who align with a multiplicity of knowledge traditions, and share an interest in learning about and contributing to Indigenous Information Studies.
Qualifications and Requirements
Applicants are expected to hold a Ph.D. in Information Studies, Indigenous Studies, or a cognate field. We welcome applications from candidates who are in the final stages of completion of a Ph.D. Preference will be given to candidates with the knowledge and ability to teach across more than one of the following areas: Indigenous information protocols, practices and legal systems, long-term stewardship of information within Indigenous communities or organizations; Indigenous data sovereignty; design of digital and/or land-based information and records systems for Indigenous communities; data analytics and data management and services in support of Indigenous peoples’ priorities. The ideal candidate will have:
- Established relationships with Indigenous communities or organizations, preferably in the geographic region of the Pacific Northwest of North America;
- A record of meritorious research products (quality over quantity);
- A demonstrated record of, or evident potential for, high quality instruction at the undergraduate and graduate levels;
- Evidence of and a commitment to practicing with empathy, understanding, and respect for diverse and divergent perspectives and behaviors in their teaching, research, and service activities;
- Willingness to teach in a multi-disciplinary context with students, staff, and faculty from a wide range of backgrounds;
- A demonstrated capacity for community, professional and/or academic service.
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
The successful candidate will be expected to undertake an active program of original research, publication, and other knowledge sharing activities; to teach courses and undertake student supervision in Indigenous information 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. As a member of our multi-disciplinary faculty contingent, the candidate will have the opportunity to develop their own specialized courses as well as to teach and adapt ongoing courses.
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. We draw attention to the Collective Agreement’s language on evidence: “Evidence may include a diverse set of outputs outside the general norms of any given discipline, such as but not limited to curation or creation of artistic or cultural exhibits, significant oral dissemination of research, policy development, and community engaged scholarship under the ownership of Indigenous nations.” 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 hosts top-ranked professional graduate programs in Library and Information Studies and Archival Studies, a concentration in First Nations and Indigenous Information Studies, as well as an MA in Children’s Literature, a Doctoral Program, and an undergraduate program in Informatics. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to the educational experiences of the next generation of researchers and professionals learning alongside Indigenous communities and organizations to support Indigenous peoples’ long-term aspirations, to develop and hone teaching expertise, and to build a strong research portfolio in a generative and supportive environment.
Equity and mutual respect are core values of the School of Information; we pay particular attention to the needs of marginalized and under-represented groups of people. As a School we are engaged in implementing UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Plan (ISP) (https://isp.ubc.ca/) alongside the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the Scarborough Charter. We aspire to create a diverse, inclusive, and equitable school for faculty, staff and students of all backgrounds and identities.
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 Memorandum of Affiliation. For information relating to Indigenous engagement at UBC, visit http://indigenous.ubc.ca/.
Application materials
Applications are to be submitted before April 15, 2024, via this online form: https://lais.air.arts.ubc.ca/assistant-professor-in-indigenous-information-studies-research-stream/
Applicants should be prepared to upload in the following order and in a single PDF:
- Letter of application; A structured 2-page cover letter which addresses the following:
- Summary of applicant’s most significant research contributions (1/4 page);
- Description of the applicant’s ongoing work in support of Indigenous information initiatives and 3-5 year research plan (1 page);
- Teaching and mentorship experience and statement (1/4 page);
- Equity, diversity, and inclusion statement of the applicant’s contributions to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in academic, professional, or community contexts (1/4 page);
- Summary of the applicant’s service commitments, including any outside the university setting (1/4 page).
- Curriculum vitae (no page limit).
- Evidence of teaching effectiveness (i.e. sample syllabi, teaching evaluations, etc., no page limit)
- Name, title, and affiliation, and contact information of three references. Note, reference letters are not required with initial application material, but will be requested from candidates who are long-listed for the position.
Long-listed applicants will be asked to arrange for three confidential letters of reference to be sent directly by their referees via email to ischool.recruit@ubc.ca with the subject line “Assistant Professor Position in Indigenous Information Studies”. Short-listed candidates will be expected to travel for an on-campus visit.
