First Nations, Métis, or Inuit Assistant/Associate Professor, Tenure-Track (Social Work)

Wilfrid Laurier University

The Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work (FSW) at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Brantford campus invites applications for a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit (FNMI) Indigenous Scholar for a tenure-track faculty position at either the Assistant or the Associate level commencing either July 1, 2024, or January 1, 2025, subject to budgetary approval.

Aligned with Laurier’s Indigenous Strategic Plan: Principles for Indigenization, Reconciliation, and Decolonization, this position is part of Laurier’s Inclusive Excellent Hiring Initiative, which is part of the university’s steps toward Indigenization and reconciliation and equity, diversity, and inclusion. In terms of Indigenous scholars, we encourage applications from those whose scholarship and teaching may not fit traditional academic conventions. We are particularly interested in welcoming Indigenous scholars whose contributions to Indigenous thought and philosophy will enhance the academic standing and culture of the university as it continues to evolve rapidly into a more research-intensive, comprehensive, university.

Laurier’s campuses and locations, including the FSW, are on the Haldimand Tract, within the traditional territories of the Neutral, Anishnaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples. A short 2.5-hour drive of 18 First Nations communities, including the Six Nations of the Grand River — the most populous First Nation in Canada — and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Brantford and Kitchener-Waterloo both have large urban Indigenous populations. There are 12 Métis councils within a 3-hour radius. Laurier and the FSW recognize the unique heritages of Indigenous peoples and support their right to preserve and express their distinctive Indigenous cultures, histories, and knowledge through academic programming, research, and co-curricular activities. Laurier honours Indigenous knowledge through diverse ongoing initiatives, programs, funding events, and positions, including the university’s Indigenous Student Centres, the Centre for Indigegogy, the Indigenous Knowledge Fund, and Indigenous Education Week. Laurier welcomes a regular stream of Visiting Elders and has an Indigenous Curriculum Specialist, not to mention a growing number of Indigenous faculty, students, and staff.

Faculty of Social Work

The FSW is working toward a stronger emphasis on decolonizing social work practice and education and hope our new colleague will be able to support our journey.https://students.wlu.ca/programs/social-work/msw/index.html
The FSW offers professional social work programs at the bachelor’s 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. The Indigenous Field of Study (IFS) in the MSW program embraces Indigenous-based learning. This faculty position is located outside of the IFS; however, our new colleague might have the opportunity to connect with the IFS team and the Centre for Indigegogy. During the 2018-19 academic year, we piloted the Indigenized offering of our PhD in Social Work program, designed for FNMI learners, and a second offering was implemented in 2022-23. 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 the well-being of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

The Position

This position is located on the Brantford campus in the BSW program. The Brantford Campus is interwoven into Brantford’s downtown core with more than 3000 undergraduate and graduate students, over 80 full-time faculty, and 18 different programs across four different faculties. Neighbouring Laurier's Brantford campus are the Woodland Cultural Centre and Six Nations Polytechnic. The City of Brantford is approximately a one-hour drive along the QEW and Hwy. 403 from Toronto and the Niagara region and boasts a healthy arts and culture scene, world-class trails system for walking and biking, and a strong slate of festivals and events.

The teaching load for this position is four courses during the academic year. These courses will be taught at the undergraduate level, though the opportunity to teach in the graduate program may also exist. We are specifically interested in welcoming a colleague who can teach a variety of BSW courses (complimenting the candidate’s social work practice, research, and/or educational experiences), including our Indigenous-focused courses. We are particularly interested in scholars who are informed by their own Indigenous knowledge, have strong roots, are connected, and engaged with their communities, and bring this cultural knowledge to their scholarly and teaching pursuits.

Our BSW program is a generalist program preparing students for a variety of practice contexts. Our curriculum emphasizes familiarity with micro, mezzo, and macro practices with individuals, families, and communities by examining various critical issues such as health, gender and sexuality, immigration, poverty, violence, disability, and child welfare. For this position, the substantive area of the candidate’s research program is open. The candidate should be able to share examples of personal and/or practice experiences with FNMI peoples that inform their research, teaching, and/or scholarship within the social work discipline, or other relevant helping professions/positions. We encourage candidates to demonstrate how their substantive area would support and compliment a generalist BSW program. We are also seeking to hire a colleague who applies principles of empowerment and social justice in their research and teaching.

Qualifications

The successful applicant must be Indigenous (FNMI) and will (1) hold at least one social work practice degree (BSW or MSW), and a PhD*, completed or near completion, (2) have professional, employment-based social work experience, (3) have an active and/or promising program of research, with a record of publication and knowledge dissemination/ translation consistent with career stage and goals, and (4) have teaching experience in social work, in particular campus-based classes, though experience teaching online is an asset. ‘
*Candidates for an associate position must have a completed doctoral degree and a research and teaching record consistent with the associate level. If applying at the assistant level, candidates must be near completion with a clear plan for defense. If applying at the assistant level without a completed PhD, candidates must have completed all required courses and examinations and have a clear plan for completing all other requirements. Individuals hired without a PhD will hold lecturer positions until the time by which they complete their PhD.

How to Apply

Candidates who identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit Indigenous scholars are encouraged to apply by including the following in their application.
• a letter of intent including the candidate’s research and teaching interest and where this best aligns with the position description;
• a curriculum vitae;
• a statement on teaching philosophy, and any evidence of teaching effectiveness (such as course syllabus/description, a peer teaching review and student/participant feedback).
• two sample publications, scholarly outputs, or writing samples;
• the names and contact information of three referees (will not be contacted without the candidate’s consent)

As you consider applying, we would like to bring the following to your attention.

• Consistent with Laurier’s Indigenous Identity Verification Process, candidates are required to submit written documentation of Indigenous identity, or a self-declaration that includes specific
information about their ongoing relationship to a legally recognized and inherent Indigenous community, Nation, or people, in North America. Please see here for information about this policy and
what is required: https://www.wlu.ca/about/discover-laurier/indigenization/indigenous-identity-verification-process.html. As per the university’s policy, candidates who are short listed for the
position will be contacted and asked for confirmation of their Indigenous identity before being invited for an interview.

Electronic submission of applications can be addressed to the FSW Search Committee at FSWrecruit@wlu.ca. Applications will be accepted until April 26, 2024.

Any questions can be directed toward Dr. Michael Woodford, Co-chair, FSW Search Committee (email: mwoodford@wlu.ca).

Diversity and creating a culture of inclusion is a key pillar of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Strategic Academic Plan and s one of Laurier’s core values. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from qualified members of the equity-deserving groups. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programming at Laurier are welcome to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives at indigenous@wlu.ca. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programming at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity and Accessibility at equity@wlu.ca.

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 citizenships; 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.

Members of designated groups must self-identify to be considered for employment equity. Candidates may self-identify, in confidence, to Yumna Al-Adeimi (yaladeimi@wlu.ca). Further information on the equity policy can be found at https://www.wlu.ca/about/governance/assets/resources/8.4-employment-equity.html

Applicants are encouraged to address any career interruptions or special circumstances that may have affected their record of research and teaching, in accordance with SSHRC and NSERC definitions and guidelines. To obtain a copy of this job description in an accessible format, please contact Human Resources (hr@wlu.ca).

The Faculty of Social Work wishes to thank all applicants for their interest. All nominations and applications shall be reviewed and considered under a set of criteria established by the Search Committee and a short list of candidates shall be interviewed. Only those applicants selected for the short list will be contacted.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a CV and letter of introduction will be required in electronic form.