Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Global Adversity and Well-Being (Internal)

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Note: This Canada Research Chair advertisement is no longer active and is only posted for archival purposes.

• Posting ID: 10113
• Position Title: Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Global Adversity and Well-Being (Internal)
• Faculty/Academic Area; Canada Research Chair Department: Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work
• Campus: Kitchener
• Date posting closed: Feb. 28, 2019

Position Summary

• Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University
• Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Global Adversity and Well-Being (Internal)

The Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University invites applications for a Tier II Canada Research Chair (CRC). The Faculty of Social Work is seeking to nominate a CRC in Global Adversity and Well-being. The successful candidate will be appointed at an academic rank commensurate with experience, pending CRC approval. Applicants must be tenure-track faculty members currently employed by Laurier. Qualified candidates who are engaging in cutting-edge research on global adversity and well-being from throughout the university are invited to apply.

The successful candidate will be an exceptional scholar who has global relationships and connections in their existing research. They will be recognized as an emerging leader in international social work research that fosters and strengthens the well-being of marginalized populations that face extreme adversity because of poverty, war, climate change, and discrimination and oppression.

Our colleague will have an outstanding track record of international research that reflects the principles of community-based research, which prioritize genuine community participation and empowerment characterized by valuing and respecting community strengths and knowledge, as well as community-driven approaches to understanding and addressing experiences of adversity and fostering well-being. Also honouring the principles of community-based research, we are seeking a colleague whose research not only has academic impacts but also leads to community change.

Consistent with a socio-ecological understanding of adversity and well-being, the ideal candidate is conducting research that explores the everyday experiences of adversity and perseverance for individuals, families, and communities. They will also examine how existing social service systems can be supported and strengthened in order to foster resilience to adversity and contribute to change that addresses the causes of adversity.

We are seeking to hire a colleague who appreciates and understands the concept of integrative practices and principles of empowerment and social justice. Integrative practices include the local/global and the intersections of micro/macro processes and practices. This includes an analysis of the ways that lived experience of Indigenous identity, race, class, culture, gender, (dis)ability, sexual identity, gender identity, and other social locations are produced and shaped by systemic, cultural, and interpersonal experiences and inequalities.

The selected candidate will have a history of active engagement in interdisciplinary research partnerships, and is expected to take a leadership role in collaborative research partnerships at Laurier as well as nationally and internationally. The selected candidate will strengthen the national and international reputation of Laurier as a major centre for the study of global adversity and well-being. In addition, our colleague must demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching, mentorship, and supervision and will contribute to social work and other programs at Laurier, including the newly established International Social Work Diploma program. 

 We expect our colleague to have an established successful program of research in this field, including receiving competitively awarded research funding from the Tri-Council Agencies in particular. The candidate will have a proven record of multi-year research funding.

The successful candidate will hold a PhD and at least one social work degree. Tier II Chairs, tenable for five years and renewable once, are intended for exceptional emerging scholars; typically candidates would have been an active scholar in their field for fewer than 10 years at the time of nomination. However, the university welcomes applicants who have been an active scholar for more than 10 years, where breaks in their research career exist due to career interruptions such as maternity or parental leave, extended sick leave, clinical training, family care etc. In such situations, the applicant’s eligibility will be assessed through the CRC Tier II justification process. Please contact Dr. Charity Parr-Vasquez (cparrvasquez@wlu.ca) for more information.

For more information on the Canada Research Chairs program, please see http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/.

The Faculty of Social Work in Kitchener and Brantford is located on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnawbe and Haudenosaunee peoples. The Faculty offers professional social work programs at the bachelor’s (Brantford) and master’s levels, and a research-focused doctoral program. We are devoted to excellence in research, creative and critical thinking, and reflexive practice. Our students learn through traditional and innovative teaching strategies. Our Indigenous Field of Study in the MSW program embraces Indigenous-based learning and there are opportunities to apply this pedagogy in the non-Indigenous MSW and PhD programs. During the 2018-19 academic year, we are implementing a pilot offering of the Indigenized PhD in Social Work program, designed for First Nations, Metis, and Inuit learners. We encourage students at all levels to become active citizens of an increasingly complex and interconnected world. We fulfill our mission by advancing multi-disciplinary and marginalized forms of knowledge. Our graduates are committed to constructively engaging and working toward transforming oppressive conditions and structures, and promoting well-being in individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Applications should be received by February 28, 2019. The successful candidate will be required to participate in the preparation of a CRC nomination package for submission by October 21, 2019.

Applicants should submit:

• a cover letter outlining their interest
• a separate description of their proposed CRC research program
• curriculum vitae
• contact information for three referees
• a brief teaching dossier.
• Electronic copies of no more than three published reprints or works in progress should be included.

All materials should be sent via email to Tanya Diriye (tdiriye@wlu.ca), Senior Administrative Assistant. If any materials cannot be sent electronically, they can be mailed to the Chair, FSW Appointment and Promotion Committee, c/o Tanya Diriye, Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University, 120 Duke Street West, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, N2H 3W8.

Laurier is committed to employment equity and values diversity. Laurier welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and any sexual and/or gender identity. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, as per Canadian immigration laws, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obligated to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. Applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenship(s); however, all applicants must include one of the following statements in their cover letter:

- Yes, I am a current citizen or permanent resident of Canada;

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

As required by the CRC Program, Laurier must report on applicant diversity data as it relates to the four federally designated groups (women and persons who identify as Indigenous, racialized, or having disabilities). All candidates are asked to complete Laurier’s applicant equity survey. For more information on Laurier’s CRC equity, diversity and inclusion commitments, please visit Laurier’s Canada Research Chair Action Plan.

The University recognizes that scholars have varying career paths and that career interruptions, such as leaves, have legitimate impacts on research achievement. Applicants are encouraged to highlight career interruptions in their applications and careful consideration will be given to such interruptions during the assessment process.

Laurier strives to make our application process accessible and provides accommodations for both applicants and employees as outlined in Policy 8.7. If you require assistance applying for this position, would like this job posting in an alternative format, or would like to discuss accessibility and accommodations during the recruitment process please contact Laurier’s Equity and Accessibility Officer at accessibility@wlu.ca