Velma Rogers Journalism Chair (Indigenous Tenure Track Position)

Velma Rogers Journalism Chair (Indigenous Tenure Track Position)
The Creative School-Journalism
Posted: May 6, 2024
Deadline to Apply: Thursday, August 1, 2024

Located in downtown Toronto, the largest and most culturally diverse city in Canada and on the territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and the Wendat Peoples, the School of Journalism at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University [www.torontomu.ca] (formerly Ryerson University) invites Indigenous candidates for a three-year term as a Velma Rogers Journalism Chair. The successful candidate will also be appointed to a tenure-stream position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the School of Journalism, effective January 1, 2025 or sooner, subject to final budgetary approval.

This position is restricted to candidates who self-identify as First Nations, Métis, Inuit peoples, or Indigenous peoples of North America. Short-listed applicants will be required to take part in a verification process.

The Velma Rogers Journalism Chair provides three years of support (details to be discussed with the Dean) to help the successful candidate kick start their new, or accelerate their existing scholarship, research and creative activities (SRC). In addition, the successful candidate will be a continuing tenure-track faculty member in the School of Journalism. One of two Velma Rogers Chairs in the School of Journalism, this role intentionally recognizes the importance of growing Indigenous participation in the fields of journalism and the University through teaching and SRC about or with Indigenous communities, or focused on issues faced by Indigenous peoples, among any other areas that you choose to pursue. Each of the two Velma Rogers Chairs operate independently, allowing the successful candidate to define their own SRC journey.

The successful candidate will engage in a combination of teaching, scholarly research or creative activity and service duties while maintaining an inclusive, equitable, and collegial work environment across all activities. Teaching duties will entail teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels, supervision of students and/or curriculum development. The successful candidate will further pursue a strong, innovative research program or creative activity that may in part be demonstrated through Indigenous community-based/community-engaged SRC, Indigenous-specific creative projects, and the dissemination of SRC through mechanisms that include writing for Indigenous audiences, Indigenous peer review processes and recognition of Indigenous protocols when presenting research findings (Indigenous feasts, newsletters, oral presentations, and reports to the Indigenous community) that recognize the ethics of and responsibilities to collaborate with Indigenous communities. Service to external bodies may also include participation in or service to Indigenous organizations.

Candidates shall normally hold a master’s degree (or equivalent as demonstrated through a combination of education and experience) from any discipline that can contribute to or expand journalism education and/or will be able to demonstrate equivalent Indigenous Knowledge such as being a Traditional Knowledge Keeper or an Indigenous Language Speaker, as verified by the respective Indigenous communities, in consultation with the University’s Indigenous Faculty Committee. These areas of knowledge will allow them to contribute to journalism education, growth of the field and change in the discipline. Formal experience in a public, community-based or other journalism setting is an asset but not required.

Our committee recognizes that excellent candidates may come from a range of academic, career, and cultural paths, and that they may be informed by Indigenous and other knowledge systems. We ask that candidates provide relevant information outlining how their experiences have prepared them for this role, including descriptions of any combination of formal education and cultural teachings and applied experiences.

Candidates are encouraged to consider and discuss the following in their letter of application:

Their existing or emerging activities in research or creative practice across any format or platform of journalism or non-fiction storytelling that could come from academic research or Indigenous forms of knowledge development and exchange. Oral traditions or frameworks and/or methods of inquiry developed in non-western, de-colonial or other critical approaches or practices are welcome and may include comprehension of Indigenous writing systems, language orthographies, and/or Indigenous expression in urban, rural or other community-based, direct or media contexts.
Any of their work that may be grounded in or engaged with First Nations, Inuit, Métis or other Indigenous nations, communities, societies or individuals, and their wisdom, cultures, experiences or knowledge systems, as expressed in their dynamic forms, past and present. We recognize that Indigenous research can embrace the intellectual, physical, emotional and/or spiritual dimensions of knowledge in creative and interconnected relationships with people, places and the natural environment. We will be guided by this understanding as we review applications.
The successful candidate will teach in the School of Journalism at the undergraduate and graduate level in areas related to your background and emerging activities. Existing post-secondary teaching experience is welcome but not required, though we ask that in their application candidates describe their potential for teaching; this may include and is not limited to: any training they may have offered; workshops or cultural activities they have led; mentoring, team or community leadership roles; intergenerational knowledge-transfer; storytelling or other related activities.

As a member of our learning community we offer peer support within the School of Journalism as faculty develop their teaching. The successful candidate will have access to teaching and other professional development resources from the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning; and

We expect a commitment to our values of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion as it pertains to service, teaching, and scholarly research or creative activities, including a demonstrated ability to make learning accessible and inclusive for a diverse student population.Candidates are asked to elaborate on how they have embedded values of EDI into their work and how they envision doing so in this role at TMU.

Those who join our School of Journalism as faculty may have taken varying career paths. Our committee recognizes the value of experience and that career interruptions are a part of an academic, personal and professional record.

We welcome applications from individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. We believe that diversity of knowledge, worldviews and experiences that come from membership in different groups, is fundamental to innovation, teaching and scholarship and that our students are best served by faculty who reflect their diversity. We therefore, strongly encourage applications from individuals who, in addition to identifying as First Nations, Métis or Inuit peoples, or Indigenous peoples of North America, also identify as Black or other racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

This position falls under the jurisdiction of the Toronto Metropolitan Faculty Association (TFA) [www.tfanet.ca]. Visit us at www.torontomu.ca/faculty-affairs to view the TFA collective agreement and a summary of TFA benefits.

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)
Serving a highly diverse student population of over 45,000, with 100+ undergraduate and graduate programs built on the integration of theoretical and practical learning and distinguished by a professionally focussed curriculum with a strong emphasis on excellence in teaching, research and creative activities, TMU is a vibrant, urban university known for its culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, community engagement and city-building through its award-winning architecture.

About Journalism at The Creative School
Through undergraduate and graduate teaching and scholarly research and creative work, we prepare students for the future of the field and we invite faculty who are committed to influencing how that could look and how it can be more inclusive. As leaders in the field, the largest and one of the oldest Schools of Journalism in Canada, we are both rooted in tradition and facing the future with open eyes to social, technological and economic change. Our faculty come from diverse backgrounds and experiences that increasingly reflect the diversity of our student body. Our revised learning outcomes centre the linkage of professional journalism skills with understanding and addressing the responsibilities and challenges of journalism in a democracy as we consider and intervene in the historical impact that journalism coverage has had on underserved peoples and communities. We have specifically committed to prioritizing actions from the calls emerging from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report that identify the role of journalism as a key starting point in reconciliation.

Working at TMU
At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. At TMU, we believe that equity, diversity and inclusion are integral to this path; our current Academic Plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.

Dedicated to a people first culture, TMU is proud to rank number one on the Forbes list of Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity.

We invite you to explore the range of benefits and supports available to faculty, including access to our diverse faculty and staff networks.

Indigenous faculty who are in pursuit of their terminal degree and are hired as Acting Assistant Professors will have access to tuition reimbursement, subject to the applicable Collective Agreement provisions, policies and procedures.

Visit us on X (previously known as Twitter): @torontomet, @VPFAtorontomet and @TorontoMetHR, and our LinkedIn page.

TMU is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. To find out more about legal and policy obligations please visit the Accessibility and Human Rights websites.

How to Apply
Applicants must submit their application online via the Faculty Recruitment Portal [https://hr.cf.torontomu.ca/ams/faculty/] by clicking on “Start Application Process” to begin. The initial review of applications starts August 1, 2024 and will continue until the position is filled. A complete application will consist of the following:

a letter of application that describes why you are interested in this role, how your work experiences could contribute to journalism education, and discusses your teaching approach; and a statement that demonstrates your approach to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility
a curriculum vitae or resume that can contain links to your work or portfolio if available;
references may be requested for shortlisted applicants only and are not needed at this stage

Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents and those who are currently eligible to work in Canada will be given priority, in accordance with Canadian immigration regulations.

Contacts
Any confidential formal or informal inquiries about the opportunity are both welcome and encouraged, and can be directed to the chair of the Departmental Hiring Committee (DHC), Ravindra Mohabeer at ravindra.mohabeer@torontomu.ca.

Candidates who belong to one or more of the equity-deserving groups recognized at TMU are welcome to connect with Debbie Thompson [debbie.thompson@torontomu.ca], Executive Director, Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion [www.torontomu.ca/equity].

Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about working at TMU are welcome to contact James McKay , Indigenous Human Resources Lead at indigenous@torontomu.ca.

For any confidential accommodation needs in order to participate in the recruitment and selection process and/or inquiries regarding accessing the Recruitment Portal, please contact vpfa@torontomu.ca.

To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate in your email/cover letter where (globalvacancies.org) you saw this job posting.