Call for Applicants: Impact Chair in Indo-Pacific Studies and Engagement

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Deadline: March 13, 2020

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The University of Victoria invites applications for a Chair in Indo-Pacific Studies and Engagement, with a prospective start date of July 2020. The appointment will be made at the rank of tenured Associate Professor or Professor, cross-appointed in Pacific and Asian Studies (PAAS) and Political Science (POLI), and embedded in the Centre for Asia Pacific Initiatives (CAPI). UVic Impact Chairs are intended for exceptional researchers acknowledged as leaders in their field, with recognized success in research-inspired teaching and fostering collaborative and interdisciplinary research. The term of the Impact Chair is five years, after which the appointment will revert to a regular faculty position at the appropriate rank (tenured Associate Professor or Professor). During the 5-year tenure of the Impact Chair, the appointee will receive up to $50,000 annually to support research, partnerships and dynamic learning programs as applicable. This appointment is limited to external candidates.

The Impact Chair in Indo-Pacific Studies and Engagement is part of a University-wide initiative directed to furthering UVic’s Strategic Framework, emphasizing dynamic learning—understood to include the full range of research- and work-integrated forms of teaching, as well as community-engaged and other varieties of experiential learning. The Chair will work with colleagues across campus as well as international partners to develop new curricular programs and build on existing activities, within PAAS, POLI and CAPI. During this time, they will be immersed in and contribute substantially to CAPI’s community-engaged and innovative teaching and learning practices, and in its interdisciplinary research projects.

We seek candidates who bring an interdisciplinary perspective to understanding the importance of the Indo-Pacific region to address issues of global concern. Possible clusters of interdisciplinary interest include: gender, ecology and development studies; religion, culture, and sustainability; maritime history and political economy—or other areas of interdisciplinary interest that straddle the humanities and social sciences.

The successful candidate will have an international reputation for scholarly and pedagogical excellence, suitable for appointment at the level of Associate Professor or Professor. They will have earned a doctoral degree, and have an established scholarly record in a field germane to the study of issues and events pertaining to the geographic area spanning the Pacific and Indian Oceans (increasingly described as the “Indo-Pacific” region). Their research and teaching portfolio will address the connectivities that shape, and have shaped, the Indo-Pacific world. They will have an established network in the Indo-Pacific, and their work will complement the expertise of faculty in the three participating units (PAAS, CAPI & POLI), displaying an interdisciplinary engagement with issues and questions that bridge the humanities and social sciences—as demonstrated by an established record of publication, pedagogy, engagement and service.

In addition to competence in one or more of the languages employed in the Indo-Pacific region (other than English), the new Chair will have demonstrable experience in successfully developing and leading programs in experiential learning (e.g., study abroad, academic exchange, field schools, internships), and an interest in bringing interregional issues to bear on such programs. Additional information on experiential learning at UVic is available at the University website https://www.uvic.ca/vpacademic/assets/docs/resources/publications/PubExperientialLearning.pdf. The successful candidate will also have experience overseeing budgets and handling the related administration pertinent to the management of complex projects and initiatives. 

To be considered, please submit a complete application package including:

  • Cover letter that addresses suitability for the position;
  • Up-to-date curriculum vitae;
  • Concise statement summarizing research agenda over the next 5 years (2-3 pages);
  • Concise statement addressing how the candidate will use the position to enhance dynamic learning at UVic in the area of Indo-Pacific Studies and Engagement (1-2 pages).

Applicants should also arrange for three (3) confidential letters of reference. All application materials, including letters of reference, should be submitted via email to . Informal enquiries regarding the position may be sent to ; questions regarding the application process should be addressed to .

The deadline for applications is March 13, 2020.

The University of Victoria is consistently ranked in the top tier of Canada’s research-intensive universities. Vital impact drives the UVic sense of purpose. As an internationally renowned teaching and research hub, we tackle essential issues that matter to people, places and the planet. Situated in the Pacific Rim, our location breeds a profound passion for exploration. Defined by its edges, this extraordinary environment inspires us to defy boundaries, discover, and innovate in exciting ways. It’s different here, naturally and by design. We live, learn, work and explore on the edge of what’s next—for our planet and its peoples. Our commitment to research-inspired dynamic learning and vital impact make this Canada’s most extraordinary environment for discovery and innovation. Experience the edge of possibilities for yourself.

UVic is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion in our living, learning and work environments. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who will work respectfully and constructively with differences and across levels of power. We actively encourage applications from members of groups experiencing barriers to equity. Read our full equity statement here: www.uvic.ca/equitystatement

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 . Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.

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 (www.uvicfa.ca).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; in accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Please indicate in your application package if you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Please note that reference and background checks, including credential and degree verification, may be undertaken as part of this recruitment process.