Assistant Professor - Communication & Media Studies
Ontario Tech University
Assistant Professor - Communication & Media Studies
Tracking Code: req505
Faculty/Department: Faculty of Social Science and Humanities
Appointment Type: Tenured and Tenure-Track, Full-time Continuing
Number of Positions: 1
Salary Grade: Administered in accordance with the Collective Agreement
Posting Date: February 24, 2023
Application Review Date: April 7, 2023
Ontario Tech University (University of Ontario Institute of Technology), located in Oshawa, Ontario, is proud to encourage an interactive, information-sharing culture for our individual staff, and teams which enhance organizational effectiveness. Ontario Tech’s innovative programs, and technology-enriched learning environment create an atmosphere of academic excellence. Ontario Tech promotes social engagement, fosters critical thinking, and integrates outcomes-based learning experiences inside and outside the classroom. We invite you to consider joining Ontario Tech's globally trained faculty as we further our reputation for providing a leading-edge learning environment and delivering innovative research.
The Communication and Digital Media Studies (CDMS) program in the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities (FSSH) at Ontario Tech University (OTU) invites applications for an Assistant Professor in the area of Strategic Communication, Social Media & Society. The University acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation which is covered under the Williams Treaties. We are situated on the Traditional Territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation which includes Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi.
Located in Oshawa, Ontario, Ontario Tech University promotes social engagement, fosters critical thinking, and prides itself on teaching and research excellence across disciplines. We invite you to join with Ontario Tech University as we enhance our reputation as a leader of technologically-enhanced teaching and learning and globally recognized innovative research. Ontario Tech University emphasizes the following priorities: technology with a conscience, re-imagining learning, developing strong partnerships, and promoting positive social change within an accessible, equitable, diverse and inclusive culture.
The FSSH believes that an interdisciplinary approach to research, teaching, and community outreach is essential to developing the leaders of tomorrow, and embraces a social justice mandate. The CDMS program focuses on the fast-changing communication and digital media environment in which we live, work, play, vote and influence. From a look at the global creative and entertainment industries to immersion in new technological developments surrounding the Internet and social media platforms, our program’s curriculum explores the drivers and impacts of communication and digital media in relation to the dynamics of the broader society and culture that shape them. Students learn about the uses, roles, goals, arts, industries, audiences, policies, technologies, practices, messages, and effects of communication and digital media in relation to the pursuit of a good life for all.
We seek applications from outstanding candidates who are committed to building and making contributions to the CDMS program’s teaching, research and service excellence. In particular, we seek applicants who are prepared to support our Strategic Communication, Social Media & Society degree specialization, and one or more of our minor program areas in Social Media Advocacy and Activism, Digital Media Politics & Policy, and Professional Communication/Public Relations. As the FSSH values interdisciplinarity, and as related to OTU’s commitment to tech with a conscience, we welcome applicants that possess additional expertise in related sub-fields such as the sociology of technology, science, technology & society (STS), the political economy of the Internet, as well as social media advocacy experience.
The successful candidate will be expected to conduct outstanding and, as appropriate, externally-funded research, and/or creative and professional practice. Within the university’s hybrid learning environment, the successful candidate will also be expected to teach some of the following courses each year: Strategic Communications for Influence: Rhetoric, Persuasion and Propaganda; Public Relations: Social Power, Social Media, and Social Responsibility; Advertising as Social Communication; Professional Communication; Media Activism and Protest Cultures; Global Media, the Internet and International Relations; Political Communication, Digital Media and Democracy; Communication for Social Change, Communities and Development. The successful candidate may also have the opportunity to teach at the graduate level. Additionally, the successful candidate will undertake service in support of the CDMS program’s development, as well as to the FSSH and university.
The successful candidate will typically follow a 40% teaching, 40% research and 20% service workload each year.
A PhD in Communication Studies (or a cognate discipline with a communication and digital media studies specialization) is required. Applicants should have a clear program of excellent research and undergraduate teaching experience related to Strategic Communication, Social Media & Society, as well as one or more of the following CDMS program minor areas: Social Media Advocacy and Activism; Digital Media Politics & Policy; Professional Communication/Public Relations.
The candidate’s research excellence will be assessed using the following criteria: evidence of emerging and/or established national and/or international research accomplishment, as demonstrated by a record of publications with significant venues in the field, presentations at major conferences, symposia and/or community contexts, grants, awards, creative/professional practice, and accolades.
The candidate’s teaching excellence in communication and digital media studies will be assessed with regard to: a teaching statement, teaching experience at the undergraduate level in both face-to-face and online formats, two sample course syllabi, a summary of teaching evaluations from students and/or peers, and any innovations related to public pedagogy, experiential learning and community outreach.
Candidates should submit their applications in digital format (as a single pdf file) to the Ontario Tech University Human Resources website.
Please include an application cover letter, curriculum vitae (CV), teaching statement, research statement, and the names of three referees (the search committee will only contact referees in the case of the candidate being shortlisted for the position).
The deadline for receipt of completed applications is Friday April 7, 2023.
The review of applications will begin soon after and continue until a suitable candidate is found.
Position start date: July 1, 2023
This position falls within the bargaining unit represented by the UOIT Faculty Association and will be subject to the terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the University and the UOIT Faculty Association. The collective agreement may be found on the Human Resources section of our website. Starting salary will be commensurate with experience and annual salary increases are administered as per the terms outlined in the collective agreement.
Review of applications will begin on April 7, 2023 and will continue until a suitable candidate is found. Applicants should submit in electronic format a covering letter; a curriculum vitae including a list of publications; a statement of teaching interests/experience; an outline of their present research program; a brief future research plan; and the names of three referees through the Ontario Tech website.
Ontario Tech University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, while especially encouraging applications from women, members of visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and Indigenous Peoples in Canada will be given priority.
Ontario Tech University respects people's different needs and therefore will take all reasonable steps to ensure accommodation for applicants where appropriate. The University is also committed to ensuring that confidentiality is maintained throughout all aspects of the recruitment cycle.
Prior to May 1, 2022, the university required all students, faculty, staff and visitors (including contractors) to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as defined by our mandatory vaccine directive. This directive was paused, effective May 1, 2022, but may be reinstated at any point in the future depending on public health guidelines and the recommendations of experts. All employees of the university will be expected to comply with the requirements of this directive.
The university recognizes faculty and staff may require accommodations. We are committed to an accommodation process in which individualized needs (e.g. for medical and religious/creed grounds) are appropriately addressed under the Ontario Human Rights Code. A COVID-19 Vaccination Accommodation Application Form is available. If you require accommodation, please contact Julie Day, Health and Disability Management Specialist. For more information about the universities policies for accommodating employees with disabilities please review the university’s Accessibility Policy
Job Location: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Expected Start Date: 7/1/2023