Assistant Professor, Design and Social Justice - Jobs in Calgary, AB

Job Description

About MRUFounded 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 13 bachelor degrees and 38 majors.Mount Royal University is located in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuutina and the Iyarhe Nakoda. We are situated on land where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. The traditional Blackfoot name of this place is "Mohkinstsis," which we now call the city of Calgary. The city of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation.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 Business and Communication StudiesMount Royal University’s Faculty of Business and Communication Studies is formed by two schools. The Bissett School of Business offers a four-year Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree as well as diploma and certificate programs, with majors in Accounting, General Management, Human Resources, and Marketing; concentrations in Financial Analysis, Financial Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, International Business, Social Innovation, and Supply Chain Management; a diploma in Aviation; and 14 minors. It is home to approximately 45 full-time faculty and 65 contract faculty. The School of Communication Studies offers an undergraduate Bachelor of Communication, with majors in Broadcast Media Studies, Information Design, Journalism, and Public Relations as well as certificates in International Communications and Online Journalism. It is home to approximately 25 full-time faculty and 37 contract faculty.The Bachelor of Communication Studies in Information Design at Mount Royal University consists of an interdisciplinary faculty of specialists in the service of diverse and high-performing students. Information designers use human-centric processes to deliver the right content, at the right time, to the right audience. We build skills in problem-solving, design-thinking, writing, data visualization and usability testing. Students learn to develop information products that are clear, concise and visually engaging in online, print, mobile and even augmented and virtual reality environments. Information designers translate complicated information (data) into simple, understandable and useful content for business and citizens, advocating for all users. The students pass through the program in tightly-knit cohorts, and must complete a mandatory 450 hours of work experience before graduation.About the Department of Information DesignThe Bachelor of Communication Studies in Information Design at Mount Royal University consists of an interdisciplinary faculty of specialists in the service of diverse and high-performing students. Information designers use human-centric processes to deliver the right content, at the right time, to the right audience. We build skills in problem-solving, design-thinking, writing, data visualization and usability testing. Students learn to develop information products that are clear, concise and visually engaging in online, print, mobile and even augmented and virtual reality environments. Information designers translate complicated information (data) into simple, understandable and useful content for business and citizens, advocating for all users. The students pass through the program in tightly-knit cohorts, and must complete a mandatory 450 hours of work experience before graduation.About the RoleThe Department of Information Design, Faculty of Business and Communication Studies at Mount Royal University invites applications for a tenure track position which could start as early as July 1, 2022, subject to final budgetary approval, at the rank of Assistant Professor.We are looking for a colleague passionate about design education that fosters inclusion, advances equity, and decenters whiteness. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to advancing a scholarly and/or pedagogic agenda focused on intersections of design and social justice—the creation of spaces, systems, methods, interventions, and/or practices that support historically underinvested communities. Successful candidates will have the clear potential, demonstrated ability, related scholarship and/or teaching practice in design areas focused on: equity, power/privilege, and/or bias; benefits to the BIPOC, immigrant, and/or refugee populations; environmental or social justice; design feminism; anti-racism, racial justice, racial disparities, and/or racial discrimination; and/or other forms of studying and countering systemic oppression in design academia and/or the design industry. We are seeking candidates who have a deep commitment to diverse communities and whose scholarship, professional practice, and/or making/design expertise furthers social justice in or through design.We are excited to review applications from recent PhDs, ABDs, or recent graduates from terminal Masters programs in information or communication design or in another discipline with experience deemed to be relevant. Candidates with terminal degrees in other disciplines but who have previous degree(s) in design are encouraged to apply.The successful candidate will demonstrate a primary commitment to undergraduate teaching and an ongoing research program. The focus will be on teaching courses in the Information Design program and developing senior-level courses in their area of expertise. Successful candidates are expected to develop a research program that may include undergraduate students. The ability to attract external funding, or the clear promise of it, is desirable.The successful candidate will be expected to teach courses grounded in visual communication, such as (among others):

• Thinking with Type
• Visualizing Information
• Content Development and Design Studio
• Critical Design
• The Practice of Information Design
• Systems Thinking and Changemaking Studio

New faculty are hired into one of two work patterns. The teaching-scholarship-service pattern (TSS) has a focus on teaching (typically 6 courses per year) with the requirement that the faculty member be involved in a research program as well as service to the Mount Royal community. The teaching-service pattern (TS) has a focus on teaching (typically 8 courses per year) and service only. The successful candidate will be hired into the teaching-scholarship-service pattern (TSS). There is an option to change work patterns after tenure.Our department 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 (racialized and non-racialized women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.For further information, contact Gilbert Wilkes, chair, Information Design <gwilkes@mtroyal.ca>, or Professor Milena RadzikowskaWhat We OfferTalented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive 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.Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. Mount Royal University offers a competitive total compensation package including health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days 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, climbing, aquatics, sports and certifications for students, employees and the public.Due to changing Covid-19 precautions, this role may possibly require the incumbent to temporarily work from home. Access to a secure personal computer and stable internet connection is required.MRU supports full immunization as the best way to protect yourself and our campus community and strongly recommends vaccination against COVID-19.Closing Date: Open until a suitable candidate is foundIf you require an accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request.How to Apply:For full consideration, please submit the following materials:

• Cover letter that spotlights the candidate’s commitment to design and social justice
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• A one-side of one-page research profile, which means a statement of research interests and a research plan
• A one-side of one-page teaching philosophy with evidence of teaching excellence attached as exhibits

Letters of reference will be requested from applicants selected for interviews.Your evidence of teaching excellence may include, but is not limited to,

• A syllabus or syllabuses, that you developed
• Curricular materials, that you developed
• Lesson plans, that you developed
• Teaching evaluations
• Peer or chair evaluations
• Teaching awards or other recognition

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