FEATURED JOB: Humanities Tier 2 - Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Studies, Mount Royal University

Erika Suchecki, H-Net Staff Discussion
Type: 
Home Office Notices (Jobs, Reviews)
Location: 
Alberta, Canada
Subject Fields: 
Humanities, Indigenous Studies

Featured Job

Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Studies

Mount Royal University

Mount Royal University (MRU) is located within the traditional homelands of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot, including the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai), the Tsuut’ina, and the Îyârhe Nakoda Nations of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Wesley. The City of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation. MRU is guided by Treaty No. 7, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and by the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.  

 

About the Role and Canada Research Chairs

Mount Royal University (MRU) invites applications from exceptional emerging scholars for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) appointment in Indigenous Studies. The area of research is open but may include: Indigenous research methodologies; Indigenous epistemologies; community-engaged research; Indigenous pedagogies (including land and place-based learning); cultural or literary studies or creative writing; Indigenous governance; women’s, gender and/or queer studies; community disaster studies; critical anti-racist theory and practice, or a wide variety of additional areas. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2022, for the faculty position and Spring 2023 for the CRC position which is subject to the submission of an application to and final approval by the CRC program.

The successful candidate will be eligible to hold an appointment at the rank of Assistant (tenure track) or Associate Professor (tenured). This position is open to Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) scholars. The Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Studies will join a growing group of Canada Research Chairs at Mount Royal University, as well as a well-established and supportive department. Our goal is to Indigenize and decolonize Mount Royal University, to respect and embrace Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing, to integrate Indigenous teachings and practices, to support Indigenous learners, and to honour Indigenous experiences and identities. We seek to do our part to address the legacy of broken promises and rebuild the relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Calgary and beyond.  We began this process with an Indigenous Strategic Plan (https://www.mtroyal.ca/IndigenousMountRoyal/index.htm) and through resources such as a steering committee led by the newly-created Associate Vice-President, Indigenization and Decolonization, the Office of Academic Indigenization and Decolonization, and the Iniskim Centre which offers programs and services to increase the engagement and success of Indigenous students while also raising awareness of Indigenous peoples and cultures. 

Tier 2 Research Chairs are intended for outstanding emerging scholars (i.e., candidates must have been an active researcher in their field for fewer than 10 years at the time of nomination). Applicants who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree (and where career breaks exist, such as maternity, parental or extended sick leave, clinical training, etc.) may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 Chair assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process. Please contact the CRC research grants office for more information. We recognize the legitimate impact that leaves (e.g., maternity leave, leave due to illness) can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement; these leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment and eligibility process.

Once hired, the successful candidate will take up a tenured or tenure-track position in the discipline of Indigenous Studies and will work with MRU to prepare an application package to submit to the Canada Research Chairs Selection Committee that adjudicates all nominations on a national basis. The CRC is tenable for five years with the option to renew once. Upon completion of the CRC the successful candidate will still hold a permanent faculty position. Should the CRC not be approved, the successful candidate will still retain a regular faculty position. 

 

Qualifications

This position is open only to Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) scholars. 

To be eligible for the CRC program, applicants must meet the following four criteria:

  • be excellent emerging world-class researchers who have demonstrated particular research creativity;
  • have demonstrated the potential to achieve international recognition in their fields in the next five to ten years;
  • have the potential to attract, develop and retain excellent trainees, students and future researchers; and
  • be proposing an original, innovative research program of high quality.

The successful candidate for a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Studies will also demonstrate the potential and capacity to undertake an innovative and original program of research and knowledge mobilization that potentially makes meaningful contributions towards reconciliation between Indigenous and settler peoples.  The CRC will be expected to grow research capacity at Mount Royal University through a variety of activities including obtaining external funding. 

The candidate is expected to have a completed PhD or other terminal degree or, in exceptional circumstances, an equivalent combination of professional or community experience and education. It would be an asset if the successful candidate possesses a deep knowledge of an Indigenous culture(s) and/or proficiency in an Indigenous language. 

This is a research-focused position, but the successful candidate will be expected to teach 1-2 courses/year in their area of expertise and to contribute to the minor in Indigenous Studies. The successful candidate must have a strong grasp of how Indigenous pedagogies can have a positive impact on reconciliation efforts and the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as well as advance Indigenous sovereignty. Demonstrated ability or experience to engage a wide array of students in Indigenous ways of knowing is sought, as is the ability to connect with a wide range of faculty and staff who are working toward Indigenization and decolonization at Mount Royal University.

The CRC will also be involved in service work that broadens the MRU community’s grasp of Indigenous knowledges and Indigeneity across various disciplines with a goal of enhancing how MRU’s academic programs and activities contribute to reconciliation, Indigenization, and decolonization. It is hoped that the CRC will lead further partnerships and collaborations with Indigenous nations locally and beyond and it is desirable for the candidate to have a record of engagement with and service to Indigenous communities, organizations and/or institutions.

 

About MRU

Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. Mount Royal has carved out a distinct niche by offering smaller class sizes, a robust liberal education, and unique undergraduate programs. Currently, more than 15,000 credit students choose from 16 bachelor’s degrees and 36 majors.

MRU is committed to meeting the educational needs of all Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. By fostering an inclusive learning environment that values and respects Indigenous ways of knowing and learning, Mount Royal University is dedicated to providing an exceptional undergraduate experience for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.

Mount Royal University is committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.

 

About the Faculty of Arts and the Department of Humanities

The Faculty of Arts houses the following departments: Economics, Justice & Policy Studies; English, Languages & Cultures; Humanities (home to eleven disciplines); Interior Design; Psychology; and Sociology & Anthropology. Arts currently offers the following degrees: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts—Criminal Justice, and Bachelor of Interior Design.

The successful candidate will be a member of the Department of Humanities. The Department of Humanities currently offers a BA in History and a minor in Indigenous Studies, as well as minors in Ancient and Medieval Studies, Art History, Canadian Studies, Humanities, Linguistics, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Women’s and Gender Studies.

 

What We Offer

MRU strives to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions.  At Mount Royal University we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.

Mount Royal University offers a competitive total compensation package including health and dental benefits, a pension, health and personal spending accounts, paid vacation, and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre. 

Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist, and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, fitness classes, climbing, aquatics, sports, tournaments and certifications for students, employees, and the public.

 

How to Apply: Please visit our Career Opportunities Page

Closing Date: The selection committee will begin reviewing applications on October 30, 2021 and will continue until the positions are filled.  

Interested applicants should submit the following materials using the “Apply to the Job” link found at https://mtroyalca.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/Posting/view/1446:

  • Cover letter that describes the candidate’s familial and/or community ties, qualifications for the position, as well as the candidate’s potential contributions to Mount Royal University;
  • Current Curriculum Vitae (CV); 
  • Proposed research plan for the upcoming 5-year period (maximum 3 pages single-spaced) that outlines original, innovative, and high-quality research;      
  • Sample publications (PDF only—maximum of 3 publications);
  • A statement of teaching interests and accomplishments (maximum 2 pages);
  • Evidence of teaching effectiveness such as course outlines, student evaluations of instruction, teaching philosophy statement, etc.; and
  • A 1-page diversity statement that describes your experience working within a diverse environment and your contributions to creating/advancing a culture of equity and inclusion.

As the competition progresses you may be asked to provide three confidential references.  

Please note that in accordance with the CRC’s Requirements for Recruitment Guidelines, when you apply you will be asked to complete several equity-related questions. 

Inquires may be directed to Dr. Jennifer Pettit, the Dean of Arts at jpettit@mtroyal.ca

If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify jpettit@mtroyal.ca and we will work together on the accommodation request.

We thank all applicants for their interest. While all applications will be reviewed, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, as required by Canadian immigration laws, Indigenous peoples (First Nation, Inuit, and Métis), Canadians, and permanent residents will be given priority. Mount Royal University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to fostering diversity as a source of excellence, intellectual and cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome applications from those who would contribute to the further diversification of our staff, faculty and their scholarship including but not limited to women, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual or gender identity, ethnic, national, or socio-economic background, religion, or age.

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Contact Info: 

Inquires may be directed to Dr. Jennifer Pettit, the Dean of Arts at jpettit@mtroyal.ca

Contact Email: 

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