Canada Tier 2 Research Chair
in Technological Change for Inclusion School of Interactive Arts & Technology (SIAT)
The Opportunity
The School of Interactive Arts & Technology (SIAT) at Simon Fraser University (SFU) invites applications for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Technological Change for Inclusion. This tenure-track position is intended for applicants with an exceptional research record at the Assistant or Associate Professor level. The anticipated start date of this position is Fall 2023 or as negotiated. As a technology research-focused school that occupies the traditional territories of the Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw), Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm), Tsleil-Waututh (səlil̓ w̓ətaʔɬ), Katzie, and Kwikwetlem (kʷikʷəƛ̓əm) peoples, SIAT aspires to create a space for reconciliation through dialogue and decolonizing practices. With these aspirations in mind, we invite applicants whose research aims to create opportunities that foster inclusion, justice, equality, equity, and wellbeing through critical uses of emerging technologies.
While technological advances aim to improve our quality of life, they often perpetuate and reproduce long-standing structural and systemic social injustices and inequalities. SIAT acknowledges the urgency for critical research in issues such as systemic racism, social inequity, and decoloniality that advocate for inclusion and justice in technology, and we acknowledge our challenges in meeting these needs. The successful applicant will join us in advancing technological change for inclusion, especially in an area for change that we see as a priority in SIAT. This includes critical algorithm studies and algorithmic bias, intersectional and decolonial approaches to technology, and climate justice or labour at the intersection of technological innovation. We are also open to other related programs of research that address the goals of technological change for inclusion.
The Canada Research Chairs Program stands at the centre of a national strategy to foster research excellence in Canada and improve our depth of knowledge and quality of life, strengthen Canada's international competitiveness, and help train the next generation of highly skilled people through student supervision. The applicant’s research area should primarily align with the mandate of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) or Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), as outlined in the Guidelines for Selecting the Appropriate Federal Granting Agency.
About the School of Interactive Arts & Technology
SIAT is a diverse group of anthropologists, artists, cognitive scientists, computer scientists, dancers, designers, historians, and neuroscientists who value innovative and collaborative approaches to teaching, research, creation, and knowledge production. We are a collective of research, teaching, art, and literary award winners, internationally exhibited artists, keynote speakers, and recognized fellows in art, science, technology, and teaching societies and associations.
We work together in experimenting with knowledge creation through our collaborative acts of production, research, and practice. We commit to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where all feel welcome, safe, accepted, and appreciated in learning, teaching, research, and work.
SIAT is also home to internationally recognized labs and institutes that situate our research within diverse collaborative contexts and methodologies. Our SIAT research collective includes research in transdisciplinary SFU institutes such as the Chronic Pain Institute, Vancouver Institute of Visual Analytics, and the Digital Democracies Institute. Our research and pedagogical impacts extend beyond our school, reaching across the university to connect worldwide partners, as exemplified in hosting the Dutch and Italia international design field schools and engaging in joint professorships through the Eindhoven University of Technology. Our faculty and undergraduate research and partnerships include collaborations with Indigenous organizations, communities, and cultural institutions and pedagogical innovations such as our Semester in Alternate Realities, which challenges students to design meaningful immersive experiences for the betterment of humanity and our planet.
SIAT is based on SFU’s Surrey Campus and part of the Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology (FCAT). SlAT offers degrees at Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral levels. The School is home to about 800 undergraduates and 110 Ph.D. and Masters's graduate students, 31 faculty members, and 12 professional staff members. SFU’s five campuses are located in the Metro Vancouver area, which is frequently ranked as one of the most livable areas in the world.
SFU is consistently ranked as Canada's best comprehensive university by Macleans Educational rankings, including for 2022. In the 2020 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, SFU was ranked in the top 20 innovative universities worldwide for social, economic, and environmental impact. Also, recently the Times Higher Education Worldwide University Rankings ranked SFU #46 on the sustainable development goals ranking, reaching #5 in the category of peace, justice, and strong institutions, #6 in sustainable cities and communities, and #7 in climate action.
The Successful Applicant
Tier 2 Canada Research Chair positions are intended for emerging scholars who have completed their highest degree less than ten years ago; applicants who are more than ten years from their highest degree that have experienced career breaks, such as maternity or parental leave, extended sick leave, clinical training, and family care, may have their eligibility assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process. If you have questions related to your eligibility for the position, please contact the committee chair (Dr. Thecla Schiphorst siat_dir@sfu.ca ; cc: dseciat@sfu.ca)
Tier 2 CRCs are tenable for five years and may be renewed once. In addition to national and international recognition, the position offers salary top-ups, teaching releases, and additional research funding. The successful candidate must hold a PhD by the employment start date; however, PhD candidates with solid indication of imminent completion may be hired at the rank of Instructor and will be promoted to the rank of Assistant Professor upon completion of the PhD.
The Successful Candidate
The successful candidate will be asked to:
- Mobilize, lead and sustain an impactful research program or creative-practice that contributes nationally and internationally, obtain successful and significant research and/or production funding to support collaborative research and post-doctoral fellows and graduate students
- Teach courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Support and foster innovative approaches to learning and curriculum development, including the integration of equity, diversity, and inclusion within the curriculum
- Join colleagues in service to the school, faculty, and university governance, and community building
SFU recognizes that alternative career paths and/or career interruptions (e.g., maternity leave, leave due to illness) can impact research achievements and commits to ensuring that leaves are taken into careful consideration. Candidates are encouraged to highlight how alternative paths and/or interruptions have impacted them in their application. SFU also recognizes the value of mentoring and research training, outreach, professional service, and nontraditional areas of research/practice and/or research outputs; demonstrated experience in promoting and increasing diversity and inclusion in the previous institutional environment and in the curriculum is also an asset.
How to Apply
To apply, a focused application package should include the following:
- a letter of intent stating how the candidate’s research and theoretical, technical, and/or artistic practice contributes to the position as described and also contributes to the School of Interactive Arts and Technology
- a recent curriculum vitae and, if applicable, portfolio
- description of their research and its contributions, a description of their teaching philosophy and experience
- three examples of scholarly work (e.g., publications, exhibitions, artifacts, media, documentation of community-based work)
- a statement of your position and contribution to equity, diversity, and inclusion
- four - six academic referees with contact information including addresses (including email), institutional affiliation, and telephone numbers. Letters will be requested for shortlisted candidates
Please send all materials to:
Dr. Thecla Schiphorst, Director
Chair, Search Committee
School of Interactive Arts & Technology
Simon Fraser University
250-13450 102nd Avenue
Surrey, BC CANADA V3T 0A3
Email: siat_dir@sfu.ca
CC: dseciat@sfu.ca
Review of applicants will commence on January 15th, 2023 until a successful candidate has been chosen. Any general inquiries regarding this posting may be directed to Dr. Thecla Schiphorst (siat_dir@sfu.ca ; cc: dseciat@sfu.ca )
SFU will nominate the hired faculty member for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair. This position is not contingent upon the applicant receiving a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair. However, alignment with the CRC nomination criteria will be part of the overall selection process. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.
The position is subject to the availability of funding and to final approval by the University Board of Governors and the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat (TIPS). The Canada Research Chair is tenable for five years and may be renewed once, subject to the Chairholder demonstrating that they have achieved their objectives from their first term. Interested applicants are invited to review the initial appointment and chair renewal details of the CRC Program.
SFU is committed to ensuring no individual is denied access to employment opportunities for reasons unrelated to ability or qualifications. Consistent with this principle, SFU will advance the interests of underrepresented members of the work force, including Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, racialized persons and women; embrace gender and sexual diversity; ensure that equal opportunity is afforded to all who seek employment at the University; and treat all employees equitably. Candidates that belong to underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply
SFU offers several benefits and services to create a more inclusive and accessible campus community for faculty. Please see the Faculty Relations, Benefits and Service page for more details. SFU is also committed to ensuring that the application and interview process is accessible to all applicants; if you require accommodations or have questions about SFU benefits, services, accommodations policies, or equity considerations, please contact the Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Faculty Relations.
Under the authority of the University Act, personal information that is required by the University for academic appointment competitions will be collected; for further details, see the Collection Notice.