Concordia University

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Tenure-Track Position in Black and African Diaspora Studies in the Canadian Context

Deadline: March 15, 2023

Department(s): To be determined

Type of Appointment: Tenure-track/tenured

Position Description:

Following up on the recommendations of the ground-breaking Final Report of the Task Force on Anti-Black Racism in 2022, Concordia University invites applications for a tenure-track position in Black and African Diaspora Studies in the Canadian Context at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor commencing August 2024. We are looking for a dynamic and innovative leader, or emerging leader, with the capacity to galvanize people and to envision, develop and implement a new interdisciplinary program in Black and African Diaspora Studies in the Canadian Context. This program will centre Black knowledges and scholarship committed to equity and social justice contributing to the global decolonial project, while actively engaging with Black communities. Departmental affiliation is flexible and will be determined by the successful candidate’s expertise. The full report can be viewed here: https://www.concordia.ca/provost/initiatives/task-force-anti-black-racism/reports.html.

Qualifications and assets

The ideal candidate will provide evidence of high-quality scholarly or research-creation output, have community connections with Black communities, as well as a track-record of innovative curriculum initiatives and evidence of inclusive teaching. A PhD or equivalent is required, and scholarly expertise in Black and African Diaspora Studies is essential. The successful candidate is a mid-career or senior scholar and will be comfortable working in an interdisciplinary milieu; preference will be given to scholars positioning their work as interdisciplinary, comparative, or multi-sited. A strong interest in and commitment to building relationships with Black communities in Montreal, Quebec and Canada are essential.

We value diversity among our faculty and strongly encourage applications from underrepresented groups, in particular, members of Black communities in Canada. Concordia University is an English-language institution of higher learning where the primary language of instruction and research is English. Since this position supports academic functions of the university, proficiency in English is required. Working knowledge of French is a strong asset.

The immediate primary task of the successful candidate will be the development of the Black and African Diaspora Studies in the Canadian context program. Research, teaching and service duties will thus be balanced accordingly.

Candidates are encouraged to share any career interruptions or personal circumstances that may have had an impact on their career goals in their letter of application. These will be carefully considered in the assessment process.

How to apply

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and Permanent Residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obliged to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. While applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenship, all applicants must include one of the following statements:

Yes, I am a citizen or permanent resident of Canada or

No, I am not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada

The application package should include:

• A Cover Letter that clearly indicates the job title, position code (23_T_BLCK_O) and citizenship statement.

• The Cover Letter should include a summary of academic leadership experience, commitments to Black communities and African diaspora groups, locally and beyond, and a description of the applicant’s 2 or 3 most important creative and/or research contributions to date.

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.

• A Program Vision statement (2-3 pages) that describes the applicant’s vision for the Black and African Diaspora Studies in the Canadian Context program, potential plans for curriculum development in a collaborative and interdisciplinary frame, and core values in support of Black knowledges and scholarship.

• A Teaching statement (1 page) that includes the applicant’s teaching philosophy and approaches to mentorship (and may further include supporting materials: sample assignments, teaching evaluations and/or syllabi of courses taught).

• A Research statement (1 page) that details current and future creative and/or research plans.

• The names of three referees (reference letters will only be solicited for those short-listed).

• An Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) statement (see below).

Applications should be addressed to Linh Tran at srfacultyaffairsofficer.fas@concordia.ca and must include a cover letter clearly identifying the title and position code. Electronic applications should be submitted by March 15, 2023, but will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. The appointment is expected to commence in August 2024.

Concordia University is strongly committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community, and recognizes the importance of inclusion in achieving excellence in teaching and research. As part of this commitment to providing our students with the dynamic, innovative, and inclusive educational environment of a Next‐Generation University, we require all applicants to articulate in their cover letter how their background, as well as lived and professional experiences and expertise have prepared them to teach in ways that are relevant for a diverse, multicultural contemporary Canadian society.

For more information about this position and details on how to apply, go to: https://www.concordia.ca/hr/jobs/openings/faculty-library-positions/TT_Black-and-African-Diaspora-Studies-Canadian-Context.html

For a French version of this posting, please see: https://www.concordia.ca/fr/rh/travailler-a-concordia/emplois/postes-de-professeur-ou-a-la-bibliotheque/Professeur-etudes-des-Noirs-et-des-diasporas-africaines-contexte-canadien.html

Area(s) of Specialization Desired: Black and African Diaspora Studies in the Canadian Context

Position Start Date: August 1, 2024

Interfolio Letters: Not accepted