Assistant Professor - College of Education - Student Development SJE
University of Massachusetts Amherst

Job no: 521327
Work type: Faculty Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Student Development
Union: MSP
Categories: College of Education, Faculty

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

The College of Education is committed to building a more diverse faculty, staff, and student body in a research-based environment as it responds to the diverse population and educational needs of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the nation, and the world. The Social Justice Education (SJE) concentration, within the Department of Student Development, aspires to expand on the legacy of its renowned curriculum and seeks a dedicated faculty member with expertise in social justice education theory, pedagogy, and practice.

Job Description

We are particularly looking for scholars who have experience in a) preparing social justice practitioners and leaders with SJE-informed curriculum development competencies, multimodal approaches to SJE practices, and intersectional analyses of social justice issues including but not limited to racial justice, gender and sexuality justice, and or dis/ability justice in education; and b) preparing social justice researchers with SJE competencies through theoretical and methodological paradigms such as: decoloniality/anti-coloniality, critical race theories, social justice education, anti-oppressive and anti-racist frameworks, liberation theory, languages and literacies, and re/humanizing methods that deeply consider the social/political/historical contexts of the educational landscape-in the US and/or globally.

The ideal candidate will have content and/or practice expertise in areas that focus on social justice issues in one or both of the following specializations: a) youth-based informal and/or formal education settings, (e.g., middle/high school classrooms, community organizations / learning centers, and cultural institutions) b) college students and/or college settings (e.g., preparing social justice practitioners, student affairs professionals, and college leaders). The ideal candidate will also have an excellent teaching record, possess strong scholarly potential made evident through a budding publication record, and a programmatic line of inquiry that has the potential to generate grant funding.

Major Responsibilities Include:

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• an earned Doctorate in an area closely related to Social Justice Education (fields outside of education are also encouraged to apply e.g., Ethnic Studies, American Studies, Sociology, Social Policy, Criminal Justice, etc.)
• excellent potential or an already demonstrated ability to conduct externally funded scholarship, and research and publication in an area of expertise aligned with social justice education with youth/youth settings and/or college students/college settings
• demonstrated evidence of high-quality inquiry in social justice education and the ability to become an outstanding researcher and teacher at the university level

Additional Information

Work Schedule: Academic year appointment

Application Instructions

Applicants are required to apply through the UMass online application system, where they should submit the following materials (in pdf format):

1. A letter of interest that addresses the candidate's alignment with the minimum and preferred qualifications

2. A curriculum vitae

3. Names and contact information for three (3) professional references

4. A one-page statement of vision for the candidate's role in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. This may include the candidate's skills, experiences, and commitment to teaching and mentoring, professional service, and past or future research.

Review of candidates will begin December 1, 2023 and will continue until a qualified candidate is identified.

The University is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members. Because broad diversity is essential to an inclusive climate and critical to the University's goals of achieving excellence in all areas, we will holistically assess the many qualifications of each applicant and favorably consider an individual's record working with students and colleagues with broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities. We will also favorably consider experience overcoming or helping others overcome barriers to an academic career and degree.

Advertised: Nov 16 2023 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: