Associate Professor/Professor, Chair in Tamil Studies

Date Posted: 05/05/2022
Closing Date: 06/09/2022, 11:59PM ET
Req ID: 22527
Job Category: Faculty - Tenure Stream (continuing)
Faculty/Division: University of Toronto Scarborough
Department: UTSC: Department of Historical and Cultural Studies
Campus:University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC)

Description:

The Department of Historical and Cultural Studies at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) invites applications for a full-time tenure stream position in the area of Tamil Studies. The appointment will be at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor, with an expected start date of January 1, 2023, or shortly thereafter. The successful candidate will be appointed to the University of Toronto Scarborough and will serve as the Chair of Tamil Studies. The Chair of Tamil Studies is an endowed position. As Chair, the successful candidate will undergo a review at the end of 5 years.

Within the interdisciplinary field of Tamil Studies, we are interested in candidates whose research builds connections between ethnic studies/diaspora studies and area studies rooted in deep knowledge of Tamil language and culture. Areas of interest include global migration and/or diaspora; intersections of labor, caste, gender, and sexuality; social justice; media and the performing arts; language and literature (including the global Tamil modern); and nationalism. We especially encourage applicants working on Sri Lankan Tamil life, history and culture in the context of global migration. Candidates must have strong bi-lingual communication skills in English and Tamil, a commitment to mentoring a diverse student body, and interest in engaging with the Greater Toronto Area Tamil community both of which include people who inhabit categories of social difference and who are members of historically marginalized groups within the larger Tamil community.

Applicants must have a PhD in the humanities or interpretive social science, with a clearly demonstrated exceptional record of excellence in research and teaching. The successful candidate will have an established international reputation and will be expected to sustain and lead innovative research at the highest international caliber and to maintain an outstanding, competitive program which will strengthen the University of Toronto’s institutional contribution to the global network of Tamil Studies. Collaborations with international partners, community-based research, or other practices that reflect a commitment to more equitable modes of scholarly work within Tamil Studies are especially valued.

Candidates must provide evidence of research excellence which can be demonstrated by a record of sustained high-impact contributions and publications in top-ranked peer-reviewed and field relevant international journals and/or top-ranked university and academic presses, the submitted research statement, presentations at significant conferences, distinguished awards and accolades, and other noteworthy activities that contribute to the visibility and prominence of the discipline, as well as strong endorsements from referees of high standing.

Evidence of excellence in teaching will be provided through teaching accomplishments, the teaching dossier submitted as part of the application (with required materials outlined below), as well as strong letters of reference.

Candidates must also provide evidence of a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment, as demonstrated through the application materials.

The successful candidate’s research and teaching interests will complement and broaden our departmental strengths in Global Asian Studies, mobilities of people, objects, ideas, and practices and will share our commitment to non-Euro-centric and decolonial pedagogy. In addition to contributing to the undergraduate curriculum in Historical and Cultural Studies, candidates should be able to contribute to at least one of the University of Toronto’s graduate programs where they will hold a graduate appointment.

Activities we envisage in connection with the Chair’s institutional contributions include training diverse students at the undergraduate and graduate levels in this field; grant writing and project leadership, engaging with a bilingual public on issues of collective concern; working with and expanding on our special archival and library collections of Tamil-related materials; and fostering community outreach in the Toronto area through various forums within the university as well as beyond.

Salary and rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The multidisciplinary Department of Historical and Cultural Studies is located at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC), a comprehensive university and a fully integrated part of the tri-campus system of the University of Toronto, one of the world’s leading research universities. Building upon the expertise of our faculty and the extensive resources of the university, the Department of Historical and Cultural Studies is uniquely positioned to nurture interdisciplinary and critical scholarship and teaching, drawing students from across the world and situated in one of the most diverse metropolitan regions in North America. For more information about the Department, please visit http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/hcs. The successful candidate will join a campus that fulfills the University’s priorities (https://threepriorities.utoronto.ca/) while centering Inclusive Excellence in its own strategic plan https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/strategicplan/inspiring-inclusive-excellence.

All qualified candidates are invited to apply online by clicking the link below. Candidates should supply the following materials: cover letter, current curriculum vitae, a research statement outlining current and future research interests, that explicitly situates the candidate’s research in relation to Tamil studies scholarship, a writing sample (up to 25 pages, single spaced), and a teaching dossier (including a strong teaching statement, two sample syllabi of relevant courses, and teaching evaluations from recent courses taught). Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. We seek candidates who value diversity and whose research, teaching and service bear out our commitment to equity. Candidates are therefore also asked to submit a 1‐ to 2-page statement of contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion with particular reference to building an equitable Tamil Studies (candidates are invited to cover topics such as research or teaching that incorporates a focus on underrepresented communities, inclusive pedagogies, or the mentoring of students from underrepresented groups).

Applicants must provide the name and contact information of three references. The University of Toronto’s recruiting tool will automatically solicit and collect letters of reference from each once an application is submitted (this happens overnight). Applicants remain responsible for ensuring that references submit letters (on letterhead, dated, and signed) by the closing date.

Submission guidelines can be found at: http://uoft.me/how-to-apply. Your CV and cover letter should be uploaded into the dedicated fields. Please combine additional application materials into one or two files in PDF/MS Word format. Further inquiries about the position can be directed to Prof. Bhavani Raman at tamilstudieschair@utsc.utoronto.ca.

All application materials, including reference letters, must be received by June 9, 2022.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Diversity Statement
The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

Accessibility Statement
The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact uoft.careers@utoronto.ca.

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