Faculty of Fine Arts - Associate Professor (Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Digital Extremism)

Updated: 6 days ago
Location: Lethbridge North, ALBERTA
Deadline: 22 Apr 2024

Posting Details
Position Information


Job Title Faculty of Fine Arts - Associate Professor (Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Digital Extremism)
About the University
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We are one of Canada’s top universities and leading research institutions. With more than 8,900 undergraduate and graduate students, two campuses (Lethbridge and Calgary), seven faculties and schools, and more than 2,500 employees, ULethbridge is Lethbridge’s second largest employer. Faculty and staff come together to contribute, each in their own way, to establishing ULethbridge as Canada’s destination university. In 2022, Lethbridge was recognized as one of Canada’s top small cities.
Rank Assistant/Associate Professor
Tenure Information Tenure Track
Position Details
About the Position
The department of New Media in the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Lethbridge invites applications from outstanding emerging scholars for a Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Digital Extremism. The successful applicant will be nominated by the University for a Tier 2 CRC and, upon approval by the CRC Secretariat, will be offered a position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor.
The successful candidate will contribute to the University’s Strategic Research Plan and further strengthen research capacity in New Media. They will develop a collaborative research program focusing on issues in digital extremism, which may include the analysis of digitally-mediated extremist ideologies, movements, and communities; the socio-political impacts of communication technologies on local and global communities; or the development and evaluation of initiatives to counter digital extremism. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to attract competitively awarded research funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) or other comparable granting agencies to support a vibrant, externally-funded research program.
Their work will be informed by current scholarship in fields such as decolonization and reconciliation; gender and sexuality studies; social, health, and climate justice; and digital media studies. In addition, the successful candidate will demonstrate how their proposed research program will actively promote decolonization, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Dissemination of their research will include public-facing and media-based outputs, which may include podcasts, zines, data visualization, and social media campaigns, as well as more traditional academic outputs. The CRC’s research program should include a clear plan for external community engagement and the successful candidate will have experience in outreach with student and public audiences.
The CRC’s research program will integrate interdisciplinary perspectives and methodologies to bring together faculty, students, creative practitioners, artists, and activists. The successful candidate will be expected to collaborate with faculty, undergraduate, and graduate students across disciplines, contributing to synergies with areas such as sociology, Indigenous studies, political science, computer science, and education. Candidates should explicitly address how they will provide research opportunities and mentorship for undergraduate and graduate students, including how their research will inform their teaching of undergraduate classes.
Tier 2 Chairs are tenable for five years and renewable once, and are for exceptional emerging researchers/scholars, acknowledged by their peers as having the potential to lead in their field.
For each Tier 2 Chair, the institution receives $100,000 annually for five years, with an additional $20,000 annual research allowance during the first term of the Tier 2 Chair. The salary for this position will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will be within 10 years of receiving their highest degree, and be an exceptional emerging researcher, acknowledged by their peers as having the potential to lead in their field.
The University recognizes that life circumstances such as illness, disability, family, and community will have an impact on a candidate’s record of research achievement, and these impacts will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. Note that Tier 2 Chair nominees may be more than 10 years from their highest degree if they have experienced legitimate career interruptions. More information on the CRC program, including eligibility criteria, can be found at http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca .
The University of Lethbridge is strongly committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation. This is demonstrated by its ongoing work, relationships, and connections with the Blackfoot Confederacy. The University strives to provide access and opportunity to historically excluded groups identified under the Employment Equity Act and to meet its equity and diversity targets as a key consideration when allocating a Chair position, selecting which field to support with a Chair, and deciding whether to limit the pool to internal candidates. In accordance with the University of Lethbridge Canada Research Chair Program – Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Action Plan , we strongly encourage applications from skilled and experienced members of the four designated groups, such as Indigenous peoples, racialized individuals, persons with disabilities, women and gender minorities, as defined in the CRC Program method for establishing equity targets and the Employment Equity Act . Consistent to the gender equity goals of the university, this position is targeted to women and gender-equity seeking scholars (individuals who self-identify as women, transgender, gender-fluid, nonbinary, and Two-Spirit). The purpose of this measure is to increase and ensure equitable representation and contributions of these members in the allocation of Canada Research Chairs positions. As a requirement of this position, candidates are asked to complete the confidential self-identification form during the final application process. Please see the CRC website for additional information about self-identification.

Application Process

Applications must include a letter of application and a curriculum vitae (please note, additional documents will be requested from shortlisted applicants). For more information about the position, and for submitting your application, please visit the posting on our Human Resources website here . Enquiries may be addressed to Dr. Heather Davis-Fisch ([email protected] ). .
Applications will be accepted until April 22, 2024. The selected candidate’s nomination will be submitted to the CRC program by October 2024, with a decision expected in April 2025. The anticipated starting date for the position is July 1, 2025.

About University of Lethbridge

Founded in 1967, on traditional Blackfoot land, the University of Lethbridge is home to 8,900 undergraduate and graduate students from around the world. With campuses in Lethbridge and Calgary, we are one of Canada’s top ranked universities and leading research institutions. Our Blackfoot name, gifted to us by Elder Bruce Wolf Child, is Iniskim, meaning Sacred Buffalo Stone.
Located in the heart of traditional Blackfoot Confederacy territory, the University of Lethbridge serves the people of southern Alberta through programs, research, and creative activity that contribute to economic and social prosperity locally and globally. Founded on the principles of liberal education, the University of Lethbridge is broad in scope while promoting excellence in undergraduate and graduate education that prepares students to understand and address an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
Position Category
Faculty Faculty of Fine Arts
Campus Lethbridge

Posting Detail Information


Open Date 03/21/2024
Close Date 04/22/2024
Open Until Filled
Desired Start Date 07/01/2025
Position End Date (if temporary)
Special Instructions to Applicants
Employment Equity
The University acknowledges the potential impact that career interruptions can have on a candidate’s record of achievement. We encourage applicants to explain in their application the impact that career interruptions have had on their record.
The University of Lethbridge invites applications from all qualified candidates; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given preference.
The University of Lethbridge is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, including through all aspects of the hiring process. If you require support during the hiring process, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] so that accommodations can be put in place to support you. All private information received in relation to your request for support will be kept confidential, only information required to facilitate the accommodation will be shared with the selection committee.