Position Description
The University of Calgary, located in the heart of Southern Alberta, both acknowledges and pays tribute to the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, which include the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprised of the Siksika, the Piikani, and the Kainai First Nations) as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III.
The University of Calgary is one of Canada’s top comprehensive research intensive post-secondary learning institutions, with over 34,500 students in 14 faculties, over 1,800 academic staff, and over 3,200 non-academic staff across five campuses The University of Calgary ranks fifth among Canada’s top research universities in Research Inforsource Inc.’s latest Top 50 Research Universities list released on Jan. 25, 2022. UCalgary is the youngest university to have reached the top five.
The University of Calgary is committed to transformation and renewal as outlined in our Indigenous Strategy, ii’ taa’poh’to’p. The strategy guides the University to walk a parallel path in “a good way” with Indigenous communities, create and to maintain shared ethical space that is inclusive of Indigenous people’s representation, and to engage in an evolutionary process in the four primary areas of Ways of Knowing, Ways of Doing, Ways of Connecting, and Ways of Being.
The Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning is dedicated to strengthening teaching and learning cultures, communities and practices. The Taylor Institute works to facilitate conversations, build communities, link networks, and catalyze scholarly and culturally-relevant teaching and learning approaches across the University. The Taylor Institute is committed to supporting the implementation of the University of Calgary’s Indigenous Strategy, ii’ taa’poh’to’p. A primary focus of this position will be to support postsecondary educators and academic units to further understand the impacts of Canada’s colonial practices, and to advance Indigenous perspectives, pedagogies, and practices into UCalgary’s teaching and learning culture, community and practices.
The University of Calgary, and the Taylor Institute now seeks applications for a full-time tenure-track academic appointment as an educational development consultant (Indigenous Ways of Knowing) in the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning, with a start date of January 1, 2023 or at a mutually agreeable time. The starting salary range for this position is $81,000 to $100,000 per annum and will be negotiated based on the candidate’s expertise, contributions, and experiences.
The University of Calgary has made foundational commitments to inclusive excellence, to attracting and supporting talent, and to creating equitable pathways within the academy. Building on our Indigenous strategy (ii’ taa’poh’to’p), our goal is to build a more equitable, diverse and inclusive academy. This hiring initiative was developed in accordance with Section 10.1 of the Alberta Human Rights Act and is only open to qualified Indigenous scholars (First Nations (Status, Non-Status), Métis, or Inuit). Candidates will be required to provide evidence of their engagement of, or connection to, Indigenous communities and cultures. While all candidates who meet the position requirements are encouraged to apply, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Academic staff in the Taylor Institute engage in: (a) educational practice to lead scholarly and culturally-relevant educational and curriculum development practices and programs; (b) leadership and service to the Taylor Institute, university and broader community; and, (c) research and scholarship related to educational and/or curriculum development practice and teaching and learning in postsecondary education.
Reporting to the Senior Director of the Taylor Institute (TI), the educational development consultant (Indigenous Ways of Knowing) will:
- Develop, implement and evaluate educational and curriculum development initiatives (e.g., consultations, partnerships, courses, workshop series, programs, resources) that help educators across UCalgary advance Indigenous perspectives and pedagogies in UCalgary’s teaching and learning culture, community and practices
- Consult with and support academic units and programs to advance Indigenous perspectives and pedagogies within the context of new academic program development, as well as curriculum review and renewal processes.
- Recommend and implement strategies to advance Indigenous perspectives, philosophies, theories, models, and practices into existing TI educational and curriculum development programs and activities
- Contribute to existing TI educational/curriculum development programs, including consultations, courses certificate programs, and building disciplinary partnerships and connections, particularly around decolonization and Indigenous perspectives and pedagogies
- Develop scholarly resources to support educational development programs and knowledge mobilization related to Indigenous Ways of Knowing, particularly of Indigenous peoples in southern Alberta
- Actively contribute leadership and service to the TI, University and field of educational development (locally, provincially, nationally and/or internationally)
- Engage in scholarship related to educational development and/or teaching and learning in postsecondary education, including advancing knowledge and practices related to Indigenous pedagogies and Ways of Knowing.
The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to Indigenous knowledges, approaches and histories, and a record of engagement and/or lived experience with Indigenous communities and organizations in Canada. Familiarity with Treaty 7 and Metis Region III in Alberta will be considered an asset. Applicants are normally expected to have a doctorate degree. However, a doctoral degree in progress, with relevant teaching, educational development, lived-experience, and scholarly expertise will also be considered. The successful candidate must have scholarly experience related to Indigenous perspectives, communities, and a strong record of teaching at the university level. The successful candidate must articulate a strong educational development philosophy that demonstrates how they have supported other postsecondary educators (academic staff, graduate students and/or postdoctoral scholars) to help them advance their approaches to teaching, learning, and/or curriculum development, especially as it relates to Indigenous perspectives, pedagogies and Ways of Knowing. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to collaborate and build reciprocal and respectful relationships with educators to develop curricular approaches that are well-informed by Indigenous perspectives and pedagogies. Applicants must have the ability to engage colleagues in meaningful dialogue and decision-making processes about teaching and learning in post-secondary education. They will know processes to productively challenge and influence negative attitudes and conceptualizations about Indigenous people. The incumbent must also have a proven track record in building collaborations and a demonstrated ability to work effectively with Indigenous communities, university administration, academic staff, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and/or staff supporting instruction. Also essential is evidence of engagement in or promise of original research and scholarship in fields relevant to educational development and teaching and learning in postsecondary education, especially as it relates to Indigenous perspectives, pedagogies and Ways of Knowing.
Ranked the most livable city in North America, 3rd most ethnically diverse city in Canada, and possessing one of the youngest populations of major cities in Canada, Calgary is home to the University of Calgary, world-class attractions, sporting amenities and public infrastructure that support healthy lifestyles. Calgary is a city of leaders—in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. With the highest concentration of entrepreneurs and Canadian head offices in Canada, Calgary ranked 2nd in Canada’s Best Places to do Business. Situated in the sunny foothills of Canada’s majestic Rocky Mountains, Calgary is a major urban centre surrounded by an area of profound beauty with unspoiled, resource-rich natural environment.
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. This role supports the continued indigenization of the University of Calgary. Click here to see more job opportunities with an Indigenous scope.
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.
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 through coverage for health, dental, life insurance, income protection for disability, and retirement income planning. To learn about our comprehensive benefits package please visit: www.ucalgary.ca/hr/academic_benefits_pension.
To apply, please submit your CV, letter of interest, and an abbreviated educational development/teaching dossier (maximum 15 pages) that speaks to and provides evidence of the requirements that are highlighted above for this position. Candidates must identify as Indigenous within the letter of interest to be considered for the position.
Applications must be submitted online via the ‘Apply Now’ link. Only complete applications will be considered by the search committee.
Applications will be accepted until July 29, 2022
To explore this exciting opportunity further, contact Natasha Kenny, Senior Director, Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning at nakenny@ucalgary.ca
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).
Additional Information
To view a listing of all available academic opportunities and to find out more about what the University of Calgary has to offer, please visit our Academic Careers website.
The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
About the University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. 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.