Visiting Assistant Professor - Asian & Asian American Studies Institute, Critical Muslim Studies and Critical Refugee Studies

The Asian and Asian American Studies Institute (AAASI) at the University of Connecticut invites applications for the position of Visiting Assistant Professor in Hartford starting in the 2024-2025 academic year. The successful candidate will be able to teach a range of introductory undergraduate courses in Asian American Studies, including Critical Muslim Studies, Critical Refugee Studies, and Community-Based Research Methods in both large lecture and seminar settings. This is a three-year, nine-month, non-tenure track appointment, and is funded through the Transformation, Equity, Access, and Sense of Belonging (TEAS) project. This position is designed to provide Life Transformative Education courses for the TEAS project. Responsibilities include undergraduate advising, service to the AAASI, and campus community through participation in programs and committee work.   

Housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), UConn’s Asian and Asian American Studies Institute is a multidisciplinary research, teaching, and public-facing academic unit. Founded in 1993 by student and faculty protest, it is a historic leader in establishing Asian American Studies on the East Coast. Its Core, Affiliate, and In-Residence members are state, national, and global leaders in education, transnationalism, anti-racism, political-economic transformation, cultural studies, and community organizing. In 2023 the AAASI, in partnership with the Asian American Cultural Center, and UConn Hartford $1.9 million was awarded from the U.S. Department of Education, officially designating UConn Hartford as an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). This award supports the TEAS project. The AAASI is a pivotal catalyst in creating and sustaining state-wide networks for organizations, schools, and communities. As the oldest publicly funded Asian American entity for research, teaching, and public service in the state, it provides research-based expertise and scholarship, enables information and knowledge sharing, and supports mutual aid within and beyond the Asian American community.  

Centered on teaching, research, and service in and about the global city, the UConn Hartford campus serves a community of approximately 1,600 students, including larger first-generation (49%) and minoritized (50%) populations. With a vision of academic excellence focused on community-based, collaborative learning, UConn Hartford plays a critical role in advancing the University’s commitment to innovation, leadership, global engagement, and cultural and intellectual diversity. The Hartford campus offers undergraduate classes in 36 departments and master's, doctoral, and certificate programs in four disciplines. Students can complete majors in English, Human Development and Family Sciences, Business Administration, Business Data Analytics, Psychological Sciences, Urban and Community Studies, Digital Marketing & Analytics, Financial Management, and Social Work.  

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Ph.D. or international equivalent in an area relevant to the field of Asian American Studies, Critical Muslim Studies, Critical Refugee Studies, and related fields. 
• Experience with community-based research methods. 
• Experience teaching undergraduate courses. 
• A commitment to working with a diverse student body. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Evidence of commitment to broadening student participation and integrating social justice concerns into instruction. 
• Pedagogical techniques that meet the needs of diverse learning styles.  
• Experience teaching large, core curriculum undergraduate level courses. 
• Experience or ability to manage community-based research projects.  

APPOINTMENT TERMS 

This is a full-time, 9-month, non-tenure track position with an anticipated start date of August 23, 2024. The successful candidate's primary academic appointment will be at the Hartford campus with a 2/2 teaching load with the addition of two 1-credit Learning Community courses.   

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY 

Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/27262  and submit the following application materials:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Teaching statement (including teaching philosophy, teaching experience, and commitment to effective learning)
• Commitment to diversity statement  
• Three letters of reference  

Evaluation of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with preference given to applications received by March 15, 2024. 

For more information regarding the Asian and Asian American Studies Institute please visit the website at https://asianamerican.uconn.edu/ . 

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This position will be filled subject to budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp .

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.