Assistant Professor in Sociocultural Anthropology

University of Victoria
Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Anthropology
Assistant Professor in Sociocultural Anthropology

The Department of Anthropology at the University of Victoria invites applications from scholars who self-identify as Black for a tenure-track appointment in the area of Sociocultural Anthropology in the field of critical health, inequality and wellness studies and/or critical medical anthropology. The appointment, effective July 1, 2022, will be made at the rank of Assistant Professor. Pursuant to the University's Equity Plan and Section 42 of the BC Human Rights code, this search is limited to scholars who self-identify as Black; qualifying applicants are asked to self-identify in their cover letters.

We are a vibrant three-field Department that values cooperation and collaboration among anthropological sub-disciplines. We are committed to active engagement and inclusivity of all our faculty members and encourage a diversity of approaches and perspectives in teaching and research. The Department of Anthropology strives to address racism, oppression, colonization and other related barriers through curricula development and pedagogical approaches, various research methods and service activities, as well as mentorship.

The University of Victoria is consistently ranked in the top tier of Canada’s research-intensive universities. Vital impact drives the UVic sense of purpose. As an internationally renowned teaching and research hub, we tackle essential issues that matter to people, places and the planet. Situated in the Pacific Rim, our location breeds a profound passion for exploration. Defined by its edges, this extraordinary environment inspires us to defy boundaries, discover, and innovate in exciting ways. It’s different here, naturally and by design. We live, learn, work and explore on the edge of what’s next—for our planet and its peoples. Our commitment to research-inspired dynamic learning and vital impact make this Canada’s most extraordinary environment for discovery and innovation. Experience the edge of possibilities for yourself.

We acknowledge and respect the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples on whose traditional territory the university stands and the Songhees, Esquimalt and W􀀀SÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

Requirements
We seek a colleague who has demonstrated excellence in teaching a diverse undergraduate student body and robust potential for graduate teaching and mentoring in a manner that facilitates participation of students diversified by gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity and other social locations. Applicants will need to demonstrate the ability to mentor graduate students of multiple and intersecting identities whose fieldwork may involve ethnographic and community-based projects in diverse contexts. Applicants will also need to demonstrate evidence of strong scholarship in the form of publications or potential publications; a record of research achievement that contributes to the growth and development of the discipline; and, a demonstrated ability or strong potential to attract external research funding. Community-based research, community engagement, sharing research with communities and other types of research that are consistent with social activism will be considered in the assessment of candidates.

We seek a scholar with a PhD in anthropology and an established program of ethnographic research whose teaching and research interests will primarily contribute to our “Inequality, Culture, and Health” graduate program theme. The successful candidate should have an active ethnographic research program that addresses the political economy of health and/or medicine in a global context and is able to build bridges with existing research initiatives in the Department. Examples of possible specialties include but are not limited to: contemporary critical theory addressing inequalities of race, capitalism, gender, sexuality, class, and/or colonialism; the globalization of biomedical science, biotechnology, and/or alternative health practices; environmental justice; natural disasters, epidemics, and emerging diseases; neoliberalism and global medical practice; and/or global health and development. Applicants will be expected to teach undergraduate courses such as “Introduction to Medical Anthropology,” “Globalization, Health, and the Environment” or design new courses in the areas of critical health and wellness studies. Applicants should be able to contribute to the University of Victoria’s strategic priority of global engagement through work that synergizes with existing departmental geographic foci, such as Latin America & the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, or global Indigenous peoples.

The four course (1.5 unit each) per annum teaching commitment comes with the expectation that the successful candidate will be actively engaged in research and graduate student mentoring. Supporting administrative work in the department and contributing to our collegial, collaborative, and respectful work environment are also part of this role.
The department’s current course Calendar can be found at https://web.uvic.ca/calendar2019-09/CDs/ANTH/CTs.html

Application information
Applications must include: a cover letter describing the applicant’s qualifications and research plans, a current curriculum vitae, a sample of representative publications, a teaching statement, and the names and complete contact information of three referees.

Please send each required document in a PDF format labelled using the following example, Rzeplinski_cv.pdf to Ms. Cathy Rzeplinski at uvic_anth_health_inequality@uvic.ca by January 24, 2022. All questions should be directed to Prof. Helen Kurki, Chair of the Department of Anthropology at anthone@uvic.ca

Application deadline extended
January 24, 2022

Additional information
Faculty and Librarians at the University of Victoria are governed by the provisions of the Collective Agreement. Members are represented by the University of Victoria Faculty Association (www.uvicfa.ca).
Please note that reference and background checks, including credential and degree verification, may be undertaken as part of this recruitment process.
UVic is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion in our living, learning and work environments. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who will work respectfully and constructively with differences and across levels of power. We actively encourage applications from members of groups experiencing barriers to equity and this particular search is limited to scholars who self-identify as Black. Read our full equity statement here: www.uvic.ca/equitystatement.
The University acknowledges the potential impact that career interruptions can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. We encourage applicants to explain in their application the impact that career interruptions have had on their record. For more information, see http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/program-programme/equity-equite/recruitment-recrutement-eng.aspx.
Persons with disabilities, who anticipate needing accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, may contact Faculty Relations and Academic Administration in the Office of the VP Academic and Provost at FRrecruit@uvic.ca.
Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; in accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Please indicate in your application package if you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.