Education – Canada Research Chair (Tier I) in Pluralistic Societies: Transdisciplinarity, Cognitive Justice and Education

University of Calgary

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, Region III.

The Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary invites applications for a Canada Research Chair (CRC) Tier I in Pluralistic Societies: Transdisciplinarity, Cognitive Justice and Education. The successful candidate will be appointed at the rank of Professor (with tenure) and will be nominated for a CRC Tier I. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2024, or a mutual agreed upon date.

Globally, and locally, we are witnessing societies shaped by increasing human entanglements and social polarization. Pluralism in the city, what might be called pluralism from below, recognizes the need for an active engagement that creates a society of shared values, and peace and prosperity from a diversity of civilizations, cultures, peoples, groups, and entities. It addresses the wicked social challenges associated with super-diversity and hyper-diversity of our time: social disconnection, division, distrust, dehumanization, religious intolerance and political strife. Pluralism is inextricably concerned with depolarisation. It is fundamentally concerned with how to make diversity work so that we can live well together. It requires actively cultivating an understanding of different perspectives and facilitating how this multiplicity shapes social transformation for the better. Pluralism is what can emerge from relationship building and intercultural engagement, bridging divides, social healing, collaborative problem solving, and interfaith engagement. This context calls for a paradigm shift, for bold solutions, culture change, shifting values, norms, skills, behaviours, how we see ourselves and others, and how we see ourselves in relation to diverse others. The University of Calgary has been laying the groundwork toward a Pluralism Strategy for many years and is currently seeking to recruit a global leader in Transdisciplinarity, Cognitive Justice and Education. The Chair will:

• Advance the intersection of transdisciplinarity, cognitive justice and education. They will develop a policy-relevant research agenda to foster transformation in the higher education sector, with the aim of creating a more inclusive education and societies that can confront the challenges of polarization facing human societies.
• Advance transdisciplinarity, cognitive justice and education as an integral methodology for a reformulated epistemology that is necessary to support emerging local, national and global policy frameworks, and advance and protect plural knowledges and intellectual property rights.
• Develop and advance terms and conditions for plural knowledges, and the integration of different forms of knowledge in higher education.
• Foster transdisciplinary scholarship for systems transformation including in education, law, economics and science.

Additionally, the Chair will play an important role in teaching and research supervision of students in the Werklund School of Education undergraduate and graduate programs. Service to the department, faculty, University, and community is also expected.

The Chair will have the opportunity to be part of a prolific and diverse research environment in the Werklund School of Education, with access to state-of-the-art core infrastructure.

The successful candidate is a full professor and an outstanding and innovative world-class research which has made a major impact in their field. International recognition as a leader in their field, with evidence of leading a well-established research program as demonstrated by sustained peer-reviewed funding with evidence of collaboration, international presentations, peer-reviewed research publications that have established and influenced an area of research in their field and a superior track record in attracting and supervising graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. Strong service and/or leadership record and evidence of an excellent teaching record. Qualifications required include a Ph.D. in Social Science or equivalent. The applicant must also meet the criteria for a Canada Research Chair at the Tier I level. Further information about the Canada Research Chairs Program, including eligibility criteria, can be found on the Government of Canada’s CRC website.

Interested individuals are encouraged to submit an application online via the ‘Apply Now’ link. A complete application includes:

• Cover letter and curriculum vitae, including the name and contact information of three referees
• Brief description of the candidate’s research plan, including a description of how equity, diversity and inclusion has been incorporated into research design and research team (maximum three pages)

For more information and to apply: https://careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/13187110-canada-research-chair-tier-i-pluralistic-societies-transdisciplinarity-cognitive-justice-and-education

Questions may be addressed to:
Dr. Dianne Gereluk
Werklund School of Education
Email: dtgerelu@ucalgary.ca

Applications are accepted until September 8, 2023

The University of Calgary recognizes that candidates have varying career paths and that career interruptions can be part of an excellent academic record. Candidates are encouraged but not required to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or career interruptions to allow for a fair assessment of their application. Selection committees have been instructed to give careful consideration to, and be sensitive to the impact of career interruptions, when assessing the candidate’s research productivity.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, 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)