Position Description
Research Chair in High Abilities Studies
University of Calgary, Werklund School of Education
2500 University Drive, NW Calgary Alberta T2N 1N4
Located in Canada’s most enterprising city, the traditional territory of the peoples of Treaty 7 and Region 3 of the Métis Nation of Alberta, the University of Calgary (UCalgary) is a global and innovative intellectual hub for teaching and learning, research and scholarship, and community engagement.
UCalgary is one of Canada’s top comprehensive research universities, with more than 6,500 graduate students and 28,500 undergraduate students, more than 1,800 academic staff (continuing, contingent term or limited term appointment), more than 1,300 sessionals, and more than 3,200 non-academic staff, in 14 Faculties, across five campuses. The vibrant and research-intensive environment at UCalgary is home to 146 research chairs (75 Canada Research Chairs), and more than 50 research institutes and centres. UCalgary has the fastest growth rate in attracting research funding among the 10 largest universities in Canada.
The university’s new Framework for Growth establishes principles and focus areas for the University of Calgary over the coming decade. It will ignite our entrepreneurial spirit to turn challenges into opportunities to improve the world around us. It will help to meet our academic and research ambitions and strengthen our community engagement in one of Canada’s most diverse cities, whose exciting future is unfolding rapidly, and where scientific disciplines will play a major role. Built around three big ideas (transdisciplinary scholarship, integration with our community and future-focused program delivery), the Framework will distinguish the university and drive growth.
To learn more about this vision please see: https://www.ucalgary.ca/president/growth
UCalgary’s Werklund School of Education supports inter professional and community-based enquiry from multiple perspectives in the generation and application of knowledge to social and individual change. Our goal is to be a national leader in knowledge creation and application of this knowledge to solve some of society’s most pressing social issues. The Werklund School of Education has become known as a change leader in its field. We offer research-informed and active on-campus, online and community-based graduate and undergraduate programs, conduct purposeful research, and enable community-engaged knowledge exchange. With over 2,500 students, 28,000 alumni in 77 countries and 160 academic and support staff, we lead and advance research and theory that influences educational policy and professional practice for current and future generations. The Werklund School of Education has one of five counselling psychology programs in Canada accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association and has had a long history of providing guidance in gifted education and diversity, both locally and internationally. We have strong ties to our external educational communities who support and enable supportive learning environments in giftedness.
Reporting directly to the Dean, this newly created Research Chair position will provide opportunities for an outstanding researcher to elevate their research in the area of high abilities. The Chair will develop and expand this research area and seek interdisciplinary collaborations with the Werklund School of Education, the University of Calgary, and local, national, and international communities. The Research Chair will be responsible to recruit high calibre students and future researchers and bring a track record in attracting competitive research funding. The Chair is also expected to supervise graduate students in counselling psychology and other educational specializations, teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses in their areas of specialization, and demonstrate leadership in service, collaboration and mentorship within the University and the community. The Chair will provide scholarly outreach in our communities for parents, educators, and psychologists, in collaboration with our Integrated Services in Education clinic.
The ideal candidate will have an earned doctorate in Psychology and an exemplary research program – with particular emphasis on education of high abilities/gifted youth. This individual is attentive to the social-emotional needs of gifted children with an established research program, teaching and graduate student supervision, demonstrating evidence of community outreach to students, parents, educators, and/or psychologists. This visionary, collaborative leader and distinguished scholar should demonstrate a notable track record in teaching, research excellence and community engagement. The successful candidate will have the academic qualifications commensurate with an appointment With Tenure at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor. The appointment as Research Chair in High Abilities Studies is for a five-year period, with the possibility of renewal.
The ideal candidate will have an established program of research focused on the education of high abilities/gifted youth and their psychological well-being. Candidates may be using high-quality methods from a wide range of research tradition(s). The successful candidate will have a doctorate from programs that are accredited by the American Psychological Association, the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, the British Psychological Society, the Canadian Psychological Association (or equivalent), and who are eligible for licensure as a psychologist in the province of Alberta https://www.cap.ab.ca/register-as-br-a-psychologist.
Applicants at the Associate Professor level must provide evidence of an established, externally funded research program, a strong publication record, evidence of successful teaching and graduate supervision, and evidence of established academic engagements in professional and other communities.
Applicants at the Full Professor level must provide evidence of a well-established funded research program, outstanding academic publication record, evidence of a fully established, demonstrated ability to lead research teams, outstanding teaching and graduate supervision record, and evidence of academic service and/or leadership.
Recently ranked the 3rd most liveable city in the world (2022) by The Economist Intelligence Unit, and possessing one of the youngest populations of major cities in Canada, Calgary is home to world-class attractions, sporting amenities and public infrastructure that supports a healthy lifestyle, making it a great place to raise a family (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh-WugziiiHwMT44-sVwrA). Situated where the Canadian plains reach the sunny foothills of Canada’s majestic Rocky Mountains, Calgary is a major urban centre surrounded by an area of profound beauty with an awe-inspiring mountains, lakes, rivers and gorgeous prairie.
Consistently rated by the United Nations as the world’s best country to live in, Canada is the world’s second largest country by total area and is one of the most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations. Canada ranks among the highest in international measurements of government transparency, civil liberties, quality of life, economic freedom, and education.
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 for this Calgary-based, English-speaking position, please visit: http://www.ucalgary.ca/hr/academic_benefits_pension.
To explore this opportunity please forward your CV and letter of interest to Janet Soles and Associates at UofCHighAbilities@jssearch.ca.
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)