Tenure Track Position in Social Work Practice, Indigenous Resurgence, and Insurgence with Indigenous

Toronto Metropolitan University

Tenure Track Position in Social Work Practice, Indigenous Resurgence, and Insurgence with Indigenous Peoples
FCS, Social Work
Posted: December 18, 2024
Deadline to Apply: Friday, January 31, 2025

Located in downtown Toronto, the largest and most culturally diverse city in Canada and on the territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and the Wendat Peoples, the School of Social Work in the Faculty of Community Services at Toronto Metropolitan University [www.torontomu.ca] invites applications for a tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor effective July 1, 2025, subject to final budgetary approval.

The School of Social Work acknowledges the contributions, lived experiences and remarkable resilience of Asian, Indigenous and Black-identified peoples who continue to seek liberation within the colonial project of Canada. We strive to be a leader in critical social work education, research, and practice that works against anti-Black racism and anti-Indigenous racism and advances anti-oppression, anti-racism, anti-colonialism/decolonization, feminism, anti-capitalism, queer and trans liberation struggles, issues in disability and Madness, among other social justice struggles.

This position is restricted to candidates who self-identify as First Nations, Métis, Inuit peoples, or Indigenous peoples of North America. The appointment to this position shall be conditional on the successful completion of the identity affirmation process at TMU for candidates who self-identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit peoples, or Indigenous peoples of North America.

The successful candidate will engage in a combination of teaching, scholarly research or creative activity (SRC) and service duties while maintaining an inclusive, equitable, and collegial work environment across all activities. Teaching duties will entail teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels, supervision of students and/or curriculum development. The successful candidate will further pursue an innovative research program and/or creative activity that may in part be demonstrated through Indigenous community-based/community-engaged SRC, Indigenous-specific creative projects, and the dissemination of SRC through mechanisms that include writing for Indigenous audiences, Indigenous peer review processes and recognition of Indigenous protocols when presenting research findings (Indigenous gatherings and feasts, newsletters, oral presentations, and reports to the Indigenous community) that recognize the ethics of and responsibilities to collaborate with Indigenous communities. Service to external bodies may also include participation in or service to Indigenous organizations that might not be considered learned societies and/or professional associations.

Candidates must have an earned doctoral degree in a related field. Candidates who are in progress (completion of their doctoral degree up to within five years of employment start date ), with a preferred social work degree (MSW and/or BSW) or related field, OR who demonstrate equivalent Indigenous knowledge such as being a traditional knowledge keeper or an Indigenous language speaker, as verified by the respective Indigenous communities, in consultation with the Indigenous Faculty Council, will also be considered and are encouraged to apply.

In addition, the successful candidate must present evidence of:

Emerging scholarly, research and creative activity in the field of Indigenous resurgence and resistance, anti-Indigenous racism, and social work and/or Indigenous traditional knowledge practice, that is conducted by, grounded in or engaged with First Nations, Inuit, Métis or other Indigenous nations, communities, societies or individuals, and their wisdom, cultures, experiences or knowledge systems, as expressed in their dynamic forms, past and present. Indigenous research can embrace the intellectual, physical, emotional and/or spiritual dimensions of knowledge in creative and interconnected relationships with people, places and the natural environment.
Practice experience in social work or a related field.
Demonstrated potential for teaching excellence at all levels of the undergraduate and graduate curriculum, as evidenced by a teaching dossier that includes a teaching philosophy statement, experience with course and curriculum review and/or development, examples of best practices in pedagogy, including effective use of classroom technology and any experience with experiential learning, sample syllabi, strong teaching evaluations, teaching awards, and other relevant achievements in teaching;
Commitment to our values of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion as it pertains to service, teaching, and scholarly research or creative activities, including a demonstrated ability to make learning accessible and inclusive for a diverse student population; and
An ability and willingness to contribute to the life of the School of Social Work and the University through collegial service.
Our committee recognizes that scholars have varying career paths and that career interruptions can be part of an excellent academic record. Candidates are encouraged to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or career interruptions.

We welcome applications from individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. We believe that diversity of knowledge, worldviews and experiences that come from membership in different groups, is fundamental to innovation, teaching and scholarship and that our students are best served by faculty who reflect their diversity. We therefore, strongly encourage applications from individuals who, in addition to identifying as First Nations, Métis or Inuit peoples, or Indigenous peoples of North America, also identify as Black or other racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

This position falls under the jurisdiction of the Toronto Metropolitan Faculty Association (TFA) [www.tfanet.ca]. Visit us at www.torontomu.ca/faculty-affairs to view the TFA collective agreement and a summary of TFA benefits.

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)
Serving a highly diverse student population of over 45,000, with 100+ undergraduate and graduate programs built on the integration of theoretical and practical learning and distinguished by a professionally focussed curriculum with a strong emphasis on excellence in teaching, research and creative activities, TMU is a vibrant, urban university known for its culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, community engagement and city-building through its award-winning architecture.

School of Social Work
The TMU School of Social Work prides itself both on the quality of its teaching and the breadth and excellence of its research. Currently, the School offers a four-year BSW program, advanced standing BSW programs to students with prior education and experience, and a Master of Social Work program. The School is located within the Faculty of Community Services, which offers a range of programs that provide rich opportunities for collaborative and international initiatives in teaching and research.

Working at TMU
At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. At TMU, we believe that equity, diversity and inclusion are integral to this path; our current Academic Plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.

Dedicated to a people first culture, TMU is proud to rank number one on the Forbes list of Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity.

We invite you to explore the range of benefits and supports available to faculty, including access to our diverse faculty and staff networks.

Visit us on X (previously known as Twitter): @torontomet, @VPFAtorontomet and @TorontoMetHR, and our LinkedIn page.

TMU is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. To find out more about legal and policy obligations please visit the Accessibility and Human Rights websites.

How to Apply
Applicants must submit their application online via the Faculty Recruitment Portal [https://hr.cf.torontomu.ca/ams/faculty/] by clicking on “Start Application Process” to begin. Applications, consisting of the following, must be received by January 31, 2025:

a letter of application describing their teaching, community engagements and research interests, highlighting how, and in what area(s), they will contribute to the ongoing success of the school as a tenure track faculty member;
a detailed curriculum vitae;
two recent writing samples and/or creative works;
results of teaching evaluations or equivalent evidence such as a teaching dossier;
names and contact information for three references.
Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority, in accordance with Canadian immigration regulations.

Contacts
Any confidential inquiries about the opportunity can be directed to Dr. Susan Preston, Associate Professor, School of Social Work and Chair of the Department Hiring Committee, by email a susan.preston@torontomu.ca, prior to the closing date.

Candidates who belong to one or more of the equity-deserving groups recognized at TMU are welcome to connect with Dr. Lynn Lavallee, [lavallee@torontomu.ca], Strategic Lead Indigenous Resurgence, Faculty of Community Services, Mr. James McKay [indigenous@torontomu.ca], Indigenous Human Resources Lead, or Debbie Thompson [debbie.thompson@torontomu.ca], Executive Director, Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion [www.torontomu.ca/equity].

For any confidential accommodation needs in order to participate in the recruitment and selection process and/or inquiries regarding accessing the Faculty Recruitment Portal, please contact vpfa@torontomu.ca.