Assistant or Associate Professor of Pacific Islands Studies

The Divisions of Ethnic Studies and Gender Studies in the School for Cultural and Social Transformation at the University of Utah are excited to request applications for a joint appointment (50% in Ethnic Studies and 50% in Gender Studies) at the rank of tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor in Pacific Islands Studies. Applicants demonstrating an active research agenda that engages with the Pacific Islands and/or Pacific Islander diasporas from an interdisciplinary perspective, with a strong grounding in intersectional analyses of indigeneity, race, and gender are encouraged to apply. The University of Utah values candidates who show a strong commitment to teaching in a diverse scholarly environment and engaging in service, including the Pacific Islands Studies Initiative. The successful candidate will be expected to teach two courses per semester, including foundational courses in both Gender Studies and Ethnic Studies, courses that are part of the Pacific Islands Studies undergraduate certificate, and more advanced courses that align with their research and teaching interests. The candidate will also be expected to contribute to and actively participate in division, school, and university-wide initiatives. 
 

The University of Utah is a leader in the field of Pacific Islands Studies. In 2018, our program received a $600,000 Mellon Foundation grant, which was recently renewed for $1 million. We offer a Pacific Islands Studies undergraduate certificate, designed to integrate with any major so that our students can bring Pacific Islands Studies concerns to whatever career they pursue. Our current Mellon grant offers numerous opportunities to continue to build Pacific Islands Studies at the University of Utah, including a planned Center for Pasifika and Indigenous Knowledges. Read more about our work here: https://transform.utah.edu/pi-studies/ Per-capita, Utah has the largest number of Pacific Islanders in the continental United States and a vibrant, diverse Pacific Islander community. In our understanding, Pacific Islanders include the Indigenous peoples of the islands of the three regions known as Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean; from Palau in the west through Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in the east. The successful candidate will find numerous opportunities for interaction with a range of civic organizations, given Salt Lake City’s role as the governmental and social nerve center of the state.

The School for Cultural and Social Transformation (Transform) is a recently formed interdisciplinary college committed to cutting-edge thinking about shifting sexualities, changing genders, dynamic immigrations, and emergent struggles against racist thought and action: https://transform.utah.edu/. Additionally integral to Transform are Disability Studies and the Pacific Islands Studies Initiative. Transform is also home to Frontiers, A Journal of Women Studies, one of the oldest feminist journals in the country. It also administers the Diversity Scholars Program, a cohort program that supports underrepresented and first-generation college students, providing faculty mentorship and off-campus community engagement opportunities. Transform seeks a dynamic scholar whose research, teaching, and service will contribute to its core goals of innovating scholarship and putting theory into practice. 

The University of Utah is the flagship institution of the Utah System of Higher Education and has been classified by the Carnegie Foundation as among those research universities with the "highest research activity." The University provides numerous opportunities for internal research funding and offers generous benefits and retirement packages: https://www.hr.utah.edu/benefits/. The University also recently launched a new program to help benefits-eligible staff purchase a home. The University's centers, including the Black Cultural Center, American Indian Resource Center, the Center for Student Equity & Student Belonging, collectively support and advocate for staff, students, and faculty who connect with Black, Native, Indigenous, and communities of color experiences through research, culturally-affirming education initiatives, and service. 

The University is located in Salt Lake City, the center of a metropolitan area with a population of approximately 1.25 million residents. Salt Lake City is home to sizable Latinx and immigrant populations (21.5% and 11.5% of residents, respectively). Per capita, Salt Lake City has the 11th largest LGBTQ population in the U.S. The city's proximity to the Wasatch Mountains, world-class ski resorts, and national parks makes it an ideal location for outdoor recreation. The Salt Lake City International Airport is a major hub with direct flights to most U.S. cities and direct international flights to a number of major cities. SLC has extensive arts and cultural activities. The area has received international recognition for its new light rail system, foodie culture, Sundance Film Festival, downtown renewal, and increasing diversity.

Candidates should submit a cover letter, CV, and the names of three references. The cover letter should detail research and teaching interests and also describe how one's work and experience contribute to the success of underrepresented students. Candidates who advance to the next round will be asked to submit additional materials. Applications should be submitted by October 17th, 2022, although those received after this date will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled. For further questions about the position, please contact Maile Arvin at maile.arvin@utah.edu.

University of Utah online applications at https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/139306