Wilson College Endowed Chair in Leadership and Civic Studies

McMaster University

Wilson College Endowed Chair in Leadership and Civic Studies
McMaster University

Committed to delivering on its promise of Truth and Reconciliation, McMaster University recognizes and acknowledges that it is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations, and within the lands protected by the Dish with One Spoon wampum agreement.

McMaster University seeks outstanding candidates for the prestigious Wilson College Endowed Chair in Leadership and Civic Studies.

The Wilson College Endowed Chair in Leadership and Civic Studies (hereafter, “the Chair”) will be affiliated with the Wilson College of Leadership and Civic Engagement, a newly formed collaborative academic unit between the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Social Sciences at McMaster University. The Chairholder will be appointed for an initial term of five years, with the possibility of reappointment to a second five-year term. The Chairholder’s academic appointment will be a full-time tenured position at the rank of associate or full professor in an appropriate department in McMaster’s Faculty of Humanities (https://www.humanities.mcmaster.ca/) or Faculty of Social Sciences (https://socialsciences.mcmaster.ca/) . The appointment is expected to commence July 1, 2024.

The successful candidate will have an exceptional record of scholarly and educational contributions, and a desire to engage with external stakeholders in the public sector, the private sector, and the community and non-profit sector. We seek someone who can be appointed at the rank of Professor at the time of appointment or can reasonably be expected to achieve the rank of Professor within 1-2 years of appointment; therefore, applicants must have substantial experience at the Associate Professor level (or equivalent). Applicants must have a research program and scholarly contributions that are grounded solidly in the Canadian context, and/or Canada’s role internationally. Here research in the Canadian context is understood to include scholarship and knowledge keeping by and about Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island. They will have specialized training in a relevant discipline or field in the Humanities or Social Sciences (Humanities and Social Science departments at McMaster include Anthropology, English and Cultural Studies; Communication Studies and Media Arts; Economics; French; Greek and Roman Studies; Health, Aging & Society; History; Indigenous Studies; Labour Studies; Linguistics; Philosophy; Political Science; Society, Culture and Religion; Sociology; the School of the Arts; and the School of Social Work). A record of interdisciplinary engagement is an asset. The Chair will be expected to contribute significantly to scholarship in the interdisciplinary area of Leadership and Civic Studies, to teach and supervise students from both Wilson College and the Chair’s home department, to engage with external audiences, to assist in the development of Wilson College and in building an equitable and diverse community of Wilson College scholars and students, and to contribute more generally to McMaster’s reputation for research and teaching excellence.

The Wilson College of Leadership and Civic Engagement under development at McMaster University trains future leaders to foster and sustain a civic culture for Canada that engages all citizens; it emphasizes the importance of collaboration between McMaster’s academic community and local, national, regional, and global leaders in building a stronger Canada and sustainable, resilient communities; and it integrates education, research, practice and public engagement to advance our understanding of how to create a civic culture for a flourishing Canada and a sustainable world.

The College’s innovative Leadership and Civic Studies undergraduate degree provides students with interdisciplinary theoretical and practical knowledge on leadership and civic engagement. The College nurtures future changemakers who will work across Canada and beyond in public service, the private sector, and civil society – to shape policy and public discourse for the greater good.

Located in the vibrant city of Hamilton, Ontario, McMaster University is dedicated to advancing human and societal health and well-being locally and globally, by promoting inclusive mindsets, collaborative learning, and innovative thinking. Ranked among the top 100 universities globally for its cutting-edge research and world-class teaching and learning, McMaster works across disciplines to find creative solutions to complex problems, helping to improve people’s lives and build a brighter future for all.

Together, McMaster’s six faculties (Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science, and Social Sciences) are home to more than 1,200 faculty members and dedicated professional and support staff. In the 2021-2022 academic year, the university enrolled more than 34,000 undergraduate and 5,600 graduate students. McMaster is committed to maintaining its reputation for global impact and advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

How to Apply
Interested applicants should apply in electronic form at https://hr.mcmaster.ca/careers/ [Job Opening ID #57728]

Review of applications will begin on November 24, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled. Application materials must include the following:

• a letter of application
• curriculum vitae
• research statement outlining major scholarly contributions and future research plans
• documentation of educational contributions and teaching effectiveness
• a statement regarding professional engagement with external stakeholders in the public sector, the private sector, and the community and non-profit sector
• a statement that speaks to the candidates' past contributions and ongoing commitment to the advancement of equity, diversity, and inclusion in teaching, research, and/or service within post-secondary or community-based settings
• names of three references (Note: letter will be requested only from shortlisted candidates)

Commitment to Inclusive Excellence: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity. The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, members of racialized communities (“visible minorities”), persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada's reporting requirements, the University is obliged to gather information about applicants' status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. All applications must therefore include one of the following statements: “I am a citizen or permanent resident of Canada”; or “I am not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada.” Applicants need not identify their country of origin or other aspects of their current citizenship.

All applicants must complete a brief Diversity Survey, which takes approximately two minutes to complete. All questions are voluntary, with an option to decline to answer. All information collected is confidential and will be used to support efforts to broaden the diversity of the applicant pool and to promote a fair, equitable and inclusive talent acquisition process. The survey will be sent to applicants in a separate communication. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey Statement of Collection (https://hr.mcmaster.ca/app/uploads/2020/06/Applicant-Diversity-Survey-Statement-of-Collection_January-2023.pdf) for more information. Additional inquiries about the Diversity Survey may be directed to hr.empequity@mcmaster.ca.

Please direct all inquiries to: admstsoc@mcmaster.ca