University of Calgary

Apply here: https://internal.careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/13773335-assistant-professor-research-transdisciplinary-environmental-communication

Location: Main Campus

We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta. The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Districts 5 and 6.

Position Description

The Faculty of Arts at the University of Calgary invites applications for a tenure-track transdisciplinary position with a focus on Environmental Communication at the rank of Assistant Professor (Research). The successful candidate will be provided an initial five-year research-intensive term with reduced teaching commitments.

As part of the broader University of Calgary transdisciplinary recruitment program, 20 academic positions have been created to build capacity and provide leadership in support of the Ahead of Tomorrow Strategic Plan. These scholars see challenges as opportunities that spark our singular mission – to dare to imagine ahead of tomorrow.

We are seeking a forward-thinking scholar at the forefront of environmental communication to pursue a robust research agenda with a particular emphasis on climate change, water resources, and environmental sustainability. Over 30 years ago, the First Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned of impending crises facing the planet and yet the science predicting these crises was not heard across all nations and cultures. More recently, competing discourses of climate change denial further underscore the need for innovative and effective science communication that advances public conversations on environmental crises, notably water security. As one of today’s “wicked problems” (U.N. Sustainable Development Goals), the challenges of climate change require the creation of bold and engaging frameworks for understanding environmental justice to mobilize multi-stakeholder partnerships – among scientists, advocacy groups, Indigenous Peoples, citizens, and creative practitioners – and effect meaningful action on climate change.

The successful candidate will be engaged in transdisciplinary environmental communication research that examines the unequal access to critical resources, such as water, precipitated by climate change; focuses on communities affected by environmental injustice(s); and innovates communication and/or media-based interventions that challenge the economic, political, and social structures perpetuating these conditions.

The candidate will also establish effective means for knowledge sharing across multiple publics, including Indigenous Peoples and newcomers, who may conceive of having sustainable and healthy water systems differently, based on cultural context, personal circumstance, and previous experiences. Approaches may address environmental policy, Indigenous and/or critical approaches to environmental communication, or innovation in environmental communication (such as data visualization, participatory mapping, digital storytelling, transmedia).

The position will catalyze existing research strengths focused on knowledge sharing within the Faculty of Arts and beyond. Ideally, the candidate will also participate in one or more of the University’s transdisciplinary initiatives, such as One Health, the UNU Hub on “Empowering Communities to Adapt to Environmental Change,” and/or ii’taa’poh’to’p, the University’s Indigenous strategy.

The appointments will commence July 1, 2024, or at a mutually agreeable date.

We are seeking a scholar who will establish an active, transdisciplinary research program and demonstrate leadership in the field of environmental communication. Applicants must have a strong scholarly foundation in communication and media studies in conjunction with related disciplinary knowledge in climate science, sustainability, and/or water resources. Experience working with government, non-governmental institutions, Indigenous Peoples, and/or communities is considered an asset.

In addition to maintaining an active externally funded research program, the successful candidate will be expected to supervise graduate students and teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses in the Department of Communication, Media and Film and the Department of Geography, and collaborate with fellow transdisciplinary scholars. The candidate will also demonstrate leadership in service, collaboration, and mentorship within the University and the community. This is an excellent opportunity to build and develop an innovative research program within a dynamic and collaborative environment. A competitive salary and an attractive start-up package will be provided.

The successful candidate at the Assistant Professor (Research) level must demonstrate emerging strength in the field of environmental communication, as evidenced by impactful publications or other forms of scholarly activity, a record of securing competitive external research funding, and effectiveness in teaching at the university level.

Position Requirements:

• PhD in Communication and Media Studies, Geography, or related discipline
  
• A strong record of research and knowledge mobilization
  
• A proven ability to obtain research funding
  
• Demonstrated strengths in teaching in related areas
  
• Engagement with local, national, and international professional and other communities
  

How to Apply:

Interested individuals are encouraged to submit an application online via the `Apply Now’ link and include in one combined PDF:

• Curriculum vitae,
  
• Statement outlining a proposed transdisciplinary research program,
  
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness through a teaching dossier,
  
• Evidence of collaboration/engagement with professional and other communities
  
• Reprints of two (2) representative academic publications,
  
• Names and contact information for three referees.
  

Information about programs and research in the Department of Communication, Media, and Film can be found at our website.

Information about programs and research in the Department of Geography can be found at our website.

Closing Date: February 2, 2024

Questions about this opportunity shall be directed to: Dr. Andrea Freeman (geoghead@ucalgary.ca) and Dr. Samantha Thrift (cmfhead@ucalgary.ca).

The University of Calgary’s comprehensive benefits and pension program is designed to promote a productive level of health and well-being to staff members. To learn about our comprehensive benefits package for this Calgarybased, English-speaking position, please visit http://www.ucalgary.ca/hr/academic_benefits_pension.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In this connection, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: Are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No)

Additional Information

To learn more about academic opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Academic Careers website. For more information visit Careers in the Faculty of Arts.

The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada’s entrepreneurial university, located in Canada’s most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada’s leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca. 

About Calgary, Alberta

Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders - in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from a growing number of world-class dining and cultural events and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.