Instructional Professor in Environment, Geography and Urbanization (open rank)

The Social Sciences Collegiate Division at the University of Chicago is accepting applications for a full-time Instructional Professor (IP) who will teach foundational and elective courses in the Committee on Environment, Geography and Urbanization (CEGU). The appointment is renewable, with an initial term of at least two years, beginning September 1, 2023. Appointment at the rank of Assistant, Associate, or full Instructional Professor will be considered based on the candidate’s prior teaching experience. The IP’s teaching and program responsibilities will take place during the nine-month academic year, approximately October through June.

Based in the Division of Social Sciences at the University of Chicago, the Committee on Environment, Geography and Urbanization (CEGU) is an interdisciplinary platform for critical thinking, advanced research, and innovative pedagogy on the societal and spatial dimensions of climate change, biodiversity loss, and other kinds of environmental transformation. CEGU seeks to investigate and respond to the environmental challenges of our time not only through research and pedagogy on climate change but also by actively centering contemporary planetary environmental emergencies in all aspects of social research and humanistic inquiry. Key fields of research and pedagogy include urban environmental studies and sustainable urbanism; energy histories and geographies; environmental humanities; spatial and environmental media; and environmental policy, design and practice. CEGU houses the undergraduate major and a Ph.D. certificate in Environment, Geography and Urbanization. More about CEGU and the undergraduate major are available at https://cegu.uchicago.edu/undergraduate-studies/.

The Instructional Professor will teach an annual load of six undergraduate courses, including two sections of one of CEGU’s foundations courses, either “Climate, Environment and Society” or “The Politics of Environmental Knowledge.” “Climate, Environment and Society” considers the dynamics of society and environment with reference to, among other issues, energy, extraction, agriculture, colonialism, migration, urbanization and the global commons. The instructors for this course will have expertise and teaching experience related to the historical dimensions of socioenvironmental relationships with applications to contemporary problems. “The Politics of Environmental Knowledge,” considers the paradigms of knowledge that underpin historical socioenvironmental transformations of global modernity and contemporary responses to proliferating planetary environmental emergencies. The instructor for this course will have expertise and teaching experience with the historical and political aspects of science, technology and environment. Applicants are requested to specify which one among the foundations courses they would propose to teach. The successful candidate will design their own foundations course syllabus in consultation with CEGU’s Director of Undergraduate Studies. The remaining courses will be assigned by CEGU’s Director of Undergraduate Studies, according to the program’s curricular needs and the instructor’s expertise.

In addition to teaching, the IP will advise undergraduates on academics and other program opportunities; participate in planning and executing CEGU programming, including events, co-curricular opportunities, and career development activities; and collaborate with CEGU leadership to develop partnerships on and off campus. The IP may also serve as CEGU’s Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies. In consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, the Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies advises students in CEGU’s undergraduate programs; coordinates the curriculum and manages its administration; supports the initiatives of the Director of Undergraduate Studies; participates in planning and executing events; and supports program operations. With this role, the annual teaching load may be reduced to four courses. 

The terms and conditions of employment for this position are covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the University.

Qualifications

The position requires a Ph.D. in a field of social sciences or humanities relevant to the proposed teaching duties, and it is open to applicants who will have completed all requirements for their Ph.D. no later than August 31, 2023. Experience teaching relevant coursework at the college level is required, and experience teaching foundational curricula and/or electives on environmental themes is preferred. A record of scholarship on the societal and humanistic dimensions of socio-environmental transformation is required.

Application Instructions

To apply for the position, candidates must submit an application through the University of Chicago’s Interfolio jobs board at apply.interfolio.com/120282 and upload the following: 1) a curriculum vitae; 2) a letter of interest describing your academic interests and teaching background; 3) a teaching statement; 4) one sample of scholarly or professional writing; 5) three letters of reference; 6) a draft syllabus for one of the foundations courses described in this job posting; and 7) the title and descriptions of a second proposed undergraduate course.

The review of applications will begin on February 22, 2023, and continue until the position is filled or the search is closed.

Position contingent upon budget approval.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All University departments and institutes are charged with building a faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints; with cultivating an inclusive community that values freedom of expression; and with welcoming and supporting all their members.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.