Associate Professor for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Apply now Job no:521147
Work type:Faculty Full Time
Location:UMass Amherst
Department: Psychology and Brain Sci
Union: MSP
Categories:Faculty, College of Natural Sciences

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary  

The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (PBS) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (http://www.umass.edu/pbs/ ) invites applications for a tenure track faculty position that would include serving as Associate Chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in our department starting in fall 2024. This position is open to candidates at the Associate or Full Professor rank. We particularly welcome applications from scholars who are from groups historically and presently underrepresented in the academy. We seek top candidates who are committed to growing our department’s strength in Diversity Science and providing leadership around building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community in Psychological and Brain Sciences. We strive to be a diverse community that challenges existing inequitable structures and shares responsibility for creating an inclusive and equitable environment. 

Essential Functions  

• The Associate Chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will commit 50% of their time to providing strategic leadership in enacting diversity initiatives both in the department and in collaboration with college and university missions.
• Helping to craft and implement a vision for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the department.
• Providing leadership in developing and enacting equitable recruitment and retention practices that will build a diverse community.
• Developing partnerships with marginalized communities outside of the academy and helping to advocate for community based research.
• Collaborating with Undergraduate and Graduate Program Directors to develop equitable and inclusive classroom practices that incorporate Diversity Science content.

Other Functions  

• The extent to which the other 50% of the position is focused on an independent research program, teaching, or mentoring focused on Diversity Science is flexible.
• A research program that endeavors to identify and address issues of oppression and discrimination.
• Directly teaching or mentoring others in teaching Diversity Science content.
• Mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in research relevant to Diversity Science.

Minimum Qualifications  

• Ph.D. in any area of psychology or a related discipline.
• An established record of research, teaching, and service consistent with the criteria for granting tenure and rank of Associate or Full Professor.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in academic and/or community settings.
• Record of developing or advancing equitable recruitment and retention practices.
• Excellent record of developing partnerships with marginalized communities outside of the academy.
• Evidence of an active research program focused on Diversity Science.
• We would be particularly excited about community-engaged and qualitative research and teaching.

Special Instructions to Applicants  

Along with the application, candidates should submit: 1) cover letter that articulates how your professional and lived experiences have prepared you for this leadership role, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) statement of past contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion (see below), 4) statement describing previous research program and approaches to teaching, 5) three samples of representative academic publications, and 6) contact information for three professional references.

Review of applications will begin November 28, 2023, and continue until the position is filled.  Please submit materials online. For questions about this position, please contact the search committee chair, Professor Lisa Sanders at [email protected] .

The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences is part of the College of Natural Sciences. As part of a commitment to their own multicultural community , PBS and the College of Natural Sciences seeks individuals with demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations. The Diversity Statement should identify past experiences and future goals. These contributions may result from lived experiences, scholarships, and/or mentoring, teaching, and outreach activities. (https://www.umass.edu/natural-sciences/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/our-commitment-diversity )

The University is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members. Because broad diversity is essential to an inclusive climate and critical to the University’s goals of achieving excellence in all areas, we will holistically assess the many qualifications of each applicant and favorably consider an individual’s record working with students and colleagues with broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities. We will also favorably consider experience overcoming or helping others overcome barriers to an academic career and degree