Associate Professor or Professor

Research Chair in Transgender Studies

We acknowledge and respect the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) Peoples on whose territory the university stands, and the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.  The University of Victoria is committed to the ongoing work of decolonizing and Indigenizing the campus community both inside and outside the classroom. 

The University of Victoria is a proud signatory of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). We are committed to fostering a culture of responsible research assessment and to responsibly and inclusively consider discipline-appropriate methods for demonstrating the quality, significance, and societal impact of a broad range of research contributions.

Position Overview
The University of Victoria invites applications for a Research Chair in Transgender Studies, a prestigious academic position at the Associate or Full Professor level. This appointment represents an exceptional opportunity to lead and advance Transgender Studies scholarship while fostering meaningful community connections. The successful candidate will join either the Department of Sociology in Social Sciences or a department in Humanities, depending on their disciplinary background and research focus.

About the Position
The ideal candidate for the Chair in Transgender Studies position is a visionary scholar/activist who will catalyze transformative change in the field of Transgender Studies through groundbreaking research, training of the next generation of Transgender Studies scholars, innovative pedagogical approaches, successful fundraising, and impactful community partnerships and engagement. We seek an internationally recognized leader whose dynamic research agenda and community involvement will push disciplinary boundaries and generate new knowledge that shapes the field's future trajectory. The role offers the exceptional opportunity to engage with the University of Victoria Libraries' Transgender Archives —one of the world's most significant collections of transgender history and culture—as a springboard for pioneering scholarship that bridges historical understanding with contemporary challenges. UVic Libraries and Art Collections advance the University’s commitment to building a strong foundation of excellence in teaching, research and creative works, and to ensuring an outstanding student experience. The successful candidate will bring innovations, intellectual energy, and a commitment to building collaborative networks that extend the reach and influence of Transgender Studies both within academia and beyond.

Salary Range
The candidate's qualifications, experience and overall market demand will determine a candidate’s final salary offer. The salary for this position includes a competitive salary range of $124,000 - $152,000 at the Associate Professor rank or $174,000 - $215,000 at the Professor rank.  UVic is committed to offering an equitable and competitive salary, inclusive of a generous benefits package, eligible leaves and pension plan.

Key Responsibilities

Research and Scholarship

• Maintain an active research program that advances descriptive, theoretical, empirical, and applied understandings of transgender experiences
• Conduct cutting-edge research in Transgender Studies with demonstrated excellence in scholarly outputs, including peer-reviewed publications, creative works (such as film, documentary, theatrical productions, multimedia installations), digital humanities projects, community-based participatory research, policy reports, public scholarship, and other innovative forms of knowledge creation and dissemination that advance the field and engage diverse audiences
• Successfully pursue external funding opportunities, from granting agencies and donors, to support research initiatives
• Collaborate with colleagues internationally and across disciplines to foster interdisciplinary approaches to transgender studies

Teaching and Mentorship

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Transgender Studies and related fields
• Supervise graduate students in thesis and dissertation research
• Mentor emerging scholars and contribute to the development of the next generation of transgender studies researchers
• Develop innovative pedagogical approaches that center transgender experiences and perspectives
• Assist others in their efforts to make their teaching and supervision more trans-inclusive

Community Engagement

• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with transgender communities locally, nationally, and internationally
• Serve as a bridge between academic scholarship and community knowledge
• Translate research findings into accessible formats for community audiences
• Participate in community-based research and advocacy initiatives

Transgender Archives Engagement

• Collaborate with the University Libraries to enhance research, teaching and community programming with the Transgender Archives
• Consult with the University Libraries on the development and preservation of transgender historical materials
• Assist the University Libraries in the utilization of archival resources in academic and community research, and in pedagogical activities
• Support public programming and community access to archival collections in collaboration with the University Libraries
• Working collaboratively with University Development, the home Faculty, and the University Libraries, solicit material and financial donations to the Transgender Archives and steward such donors

Service and Leadership

• Provide leadership in Transgender Studies initiatives across the university
• Participate in departmental, faculty, and university service as appropriate to rank
• Engage in professional service to the broader community, including advising government, private sector and community organizations
• Represent the university in Transgender Studies networks and organizations
• Engage with journalists and media organizations to discuss research developments and provide expert commentary on issues of gender diversity

Requirements

In accordance with the University's equity plan and pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights code, the selection will be limited to members of the following designated group: Transgender people. Candidates from this group must self-identify in their application.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Sociology, or a relevant Humanities discipline (such as History, English, Gender Studies, Cultural Studies, or related field)
• Demonstrated excellence in research and scholarship in transgender studies
• Established research program with demonstrated impact in transgender studies
• Track record of successful community engagement and collaborative research
• A strong record of scholarly publications and other scholarly outputs (including creative works, digital projects, community-based research, and public scholarship) relative to career stage, demonstrating sustained excellence and innovation in advancing transgender studies.
• Evidence of effective teaching and graduate supervision at the university level
• Grant funding success
• Demonstrated potential for securing donor funding
• Proven success in promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in academic and community settings

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience of successful collaborations with archival research projects and/or the implementation of digital humanities approaches
• Experience in securing donor funding for research, creative projects, or community partnerships.
• Interest in continuing to organize the biannual Moving Transgender History Forward conference.
• Multilingual capabilities and/or international research experience and networks
• Knowledge of Canadian contexts and transgender communities

Additional information

Institutional Context
The University of Victoria is committed to advancing transgender studies as a vital field of inquiry. Located in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, the city with the highest proportion of transgender and non-binary people in Canada, the university provides a supportive environment for innovative research and community engagement. The successful candidate will join a vibrant intellectual community committed to social justice and academic excellence.

The Transgender Archives, housed at the University of Victoria, represents one of the world's most comprehensive collections documenting transgender history, culture, and activism. This unique resource provides unparalleled opportunities for research, teaching, and community engagement.

Faculty and Librarians at the University of Victoria are governed by the provisions of the Collective Agreement. Members are represented by the University of Victoria Faculty Association.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; if you are neither a Canadian citizen nor a permanent resident, please indicate if you are authorized to work in Canada, and be prepared to provide a copy of your permit authorizing same.

Contact information

Application Requirements

Applications must include:

• Cover letter outlining research interests, teaching philosophy, and vision for community engagement for the Chair in Transgender Studies (maximum 3 pages)
• Current curriculum vitae
• Statement describing current and future research directions (maximum 3 pages)
• Statement describing current and future directions for the Chair in Transgender Studies (maximum 3 pages)
• Teaching statement including evidence of teaching effectiveness (maximum 2 pages)
• Scholarly community engagement statement describing experience and future plans (maximum 2 pages)
• Contact information for two academic references and one community reference.

Application Process
Please submit applications to Emma Stuart, Social Sciences Director of Administration, at ecstuart@uvic.ca. Review of applications will begin on November 15, 2025 and continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2026, though timing may be negotiated based on the successful candidate's circumstances.

Please note that reference checks will be done, and background checks, including credential and degree verification, may be undertaken as part of this recruitment process.

Application deadline

Equity statement

UVic is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion, and human rights in our living, learning, and work environments and in our community engagements. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who are eager to actively participate in that shared responsibility. We actively encourage applications from members of historically and systemically marginalized groups, and in particular for this Limited Hire search candidates who are Transgender

Read our full equity statement.

The University acknowledges the potential impact that career interruptions can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. We encourage applicants to explain in their application the impact that career interruptions have had on their record.

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process may contact Faculty Relations and Academic Administration in the Office of the VP Academic and Provost at FRrecruit@uvic.ca. Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.