Canada Research Chair (Tier 2), History of the Modern Middle East

The Department of History, in the Faculty of Arts, at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver), invites applications for an appointment of a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Tier 2 Canada Research Chair with a focus on the history of the modern Middle East, broadly construed both temporally and geographically. The thematic focus is open. The successful applicant will join a growing community of Middle East scholars at the University of British Columbia, a large, publicly-funded, research-intensive university with a highly-ranked History Department and an interdisciplinary Middle East Studies Minor.

Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars (i.e., candidates must have been active researchers in their field for fewer than 10 years from their degree at the time of nomination). Applicants who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree will also be considered in cases where breaks in the candidate’s research career due to maternity or parental leave, extended sick leave, clinical training, and family care have occurred; such applicants will have their eligibility for a Tier 2 Chair assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process. For Program Details on Canada Research Chairs, please visit:  https://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/home-accueil-eng.aspx

Leaves (eg. maternity leave, leave due to illness) can have a legitimate impact on a candidate’s record of research achievement; these leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.

The initial appointment as Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) is for a five-year term, with an opportunity to apply for renewal for an additional five years.  The CRC comes with an one-course (3 credit) annual teaching release and an annual research stipend of $15,000.

Appointment will be at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor depending on qualifications. We seek candidates who demonstrate a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion of underrepresented groups in academia; to engaging the needs of diverse student populations; and to diversifying what and how we know about the past. Expected start date is 1 July 2021.

Applicants should have (relative to career stage) demonstrated or potential ability to:

• publish research of exceptional quality and originality that diversifies and/or complements research strengths in the Department of History;
• teach, mentor, and address the learning needs of a diverse undergraduate and graduate student population;
• productively engage diverse scholarly and/or non-scholarly communities at UBC and beyond.

Applicants should apply only through the History Department’s Internal Resources website at   https://hist.air.arts.ubc.ca/crc2me-38287/

Applicants should upload (in the following order, collated into a single pdf file):

• a cover letter or letter of application;
• a curriculum vitae;
• a 300-500 word statement in which the applicant may wish to consider the ways their research addresses questions of diversity; their experience relevant to working with a diverse student body; and their contributions, or potential contributions, to advancing a culture of equity and inclusion within the department, university and beyond;
• up to three article-length samples of scholarship (including published articles, unpublished papers, or book/dissertation chapters);
• evidence of teaching effectiveness, including but not limited to:
  • a single-page statement detailing pedagogical philosophies, strategies, and/or approaches used in teaching the history of the modern Middle East;
  • a syllabus for an upper-level undergraduate seminar course on Middle Eastern history.

Applicants should also provide names and contact information for three scholars willing to provide a letter of reference; we will request letters directly for candidates who advance in the search process.

Review of applications will begin on 1 November 2020 and will continue until the position has been filled. Applicants with questions about the position are welcome to contact the search chair, Dr. William E. French, at wfrench@mail.ubc.ca. This position is subject to final budgetary approval. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. In accordance with UBC’s CRC Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Action Plan, and pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights code, the selection will be restricted to members of the following designated groups:  women, visible minorities (members of groups that are racially categorized), persons with disabilities, and Indigenous peoples.

We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Métis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.

Applicants to Canada Research Chair positions are asked to complete an equity survey (https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6WJHol7SfPxRMu9) as part of the application, and candidates must self-identify as belonging to one or more of the designated groups to be considered for the position. Because the search is limited to those self-identifying as members of designated equity groups, candidates must also provide their name to be considered. 

Personal information is collected under the authority of sections 26(a) and 26(c) of the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The information you provide will only be used to determine whether you qualify for participation in this hiring process. Data will be collected by the Equity & Inclusion Office and only the names of those who identify as women, visible minorities (member of groups that are racially categorized) and/or Indigenous peoples will be shared with the search committee. Currently, UBC has a gap in representation for people with disabilities.  Until such time as this is remedied, the names of those self-identifying as having a disability will be provided separately to the search committee. Responses will be stored in a secure database.

UBC welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for all candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. To confidentially request accommodations, please contact Ms. Janet Mui at janet.mui@ubc.ca.