Description
The Faculty of Social Work is seeking outstanding candidates for an exciting community-based RESEARCH CHAIR at the rank of Associate Professor with tenure or Full Professor with tenure. This position can be based at the Faculty's Lethbridge, Calgary, or Edmonton campus, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2025. This position will report to the Dean of Social Work.
The Research Chair Opportunity
The Research Chair in Systems Transformation and Family Justice will generate new knowledge to be translated into practical action. The Chair will work with community to identify innovative approaches and actions to help transform the family justice system from a less adversarial, court-centric model to one that focuses on helping families. The Chair will explore opportunities for long-term, sustainable, community-engaged, cross-sectoral research collaborations with key players in the social and family justice systems, post-secondary institutions, governments, foundations, community organizations, those with lived experience, and collective impact initiatives. The anticipated outcome is to improve the quality of life of children, individuals, and families encountering the family justice system by providing pathways to support and services, building resilience, and achieving well-being.
The Faculty of Social Work and the Faculty of Law are collaborating to bring two new research chairs to work closely with the new Centre for Transformation (the Centre) at the University of Calgary. These two Research chairs will bring an intersection of academic knowledge, networks, and practical experience in human services, justice, health, disability, and other systems to bring knowledge into practical action. They will also collaboratively lead transdisciplinary partnerships with various organizations, including other post-secondary institutions, provincially and nationally. The Chairs will be expected to:
The position entails 60% research, 20% teaching and 20% service. The teaching component will include BSW, MSW and/or PhD courses. The service component includes service at faculty, university, and professional levels.
The successful candidate will provide impactful Chair leadership - from grant applications to determining and operationalizing methods decisions to donor stewardship for a community-based, expanding collaborative, unified, and diverse research hub team. The Chair will provide co-leadership for a provincial/nationwide research centre to support the work of transforming systems that will incorporate approaches to justice by Indigenous communities and vulnerable racialized communities who faced trauma.
The Centre will be housed at UCalgary, in the community, and virtually and include a team of researchers, postdocs, grad students, and various research projects in cooperation with community, social service, and justice sector organizations. Two new UCalgary Social Work and Law faculty research associates, along with these chairs, will support the centre's work.
The researcher's innovative and collaborative engagement with the community invites participatory action as an orientation to move to knowledge mobilization. The Chair will provide training for the public in non-credit and credit offerings. The Chair will also provide funding stewardship of community donors and diversify the resourcing of research and demonstration projects. An emphasis on service to society while including all stakeholders involved is necessary. The Research Chair will make Alberta one of the world's top research areas for transforming systems and developing family wellness justice. The Chair will attract and retain a diverse cadre of world-class researchers, reinforcing academic research and training excellence in justice-related systems, processes, and agencies.
The Faculty of Social Work Research Chair in Systems Transformation and Family Justice and the Faculty of Law Research Chair in Systems Transformation and Family Justice will work together to develop new knowledge and train others in the best practices to support the transformation of the family justice system. Given the complex link between the justice and social services systems, the two transdisciplinary research chairs will maximize impact. The two chairs will aim to accomplish the following:
The Chairs will work closely with the new Centre for Transformation to contribute to sustainable impact in the following ways:
The benefits of the research initiative will go beyond post-secondary institutions and benefit the broader community by (i) advancing how family justice professionals and social workers practice and (ii) contributing to better system and process coordination for cross-sector collaboration between justice, children's services, various other relevant sectors, community-based agencies, educators, policymakers, funders, and practitioners-all in the aim of improving outcomes. Findings from the research initiative will have a transformational impact on the family justice ecosystem level in the following ways:
The Social Work Research Chair Candidate
The successful candidate will dedicate most of their time to community-based research, leading a vibrant and impactful knowledge translation hub, attaining tri-council funding as principal investigator, submitting scholarly works to high-quality publications, developing impactful knowledge engagement activities, teaching in our undergraduate and graduate programs, and providing service at the university and community, and within the profession.
The successful candidate will be appointed at the rank of Associate Professor with tenure or Professor with tenure.
The Chair is intended for an exceptionally collaborative and impactful emerging or established scholar. This Associate Professor with tenure or Professor with tenure position provides an opportunity for an outstanding researcher to establish, develop, and maintain an active research program in multisector and system service. The Chair will grow and expand this research area and seek transdisciplinary collaborations across universities and local, national, and international organizations and communities. The research program will focus on community engagement and justice system transformation and create conditions for families to flourish. The candidate will implement an innovative and socially significant research program within a dynamic and collaborative environment.
The candidate must have the capacity to create impacts in these areas:
In addition to maintaining an active and funded research program, the Chair will supervise graduate students, teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses in their areas of specialization, and demonstrate leadership in service, collaboration, and mentorship within the university and the community. The Chair will also be expected to engage actively with the public and the media in matters related to the Chair. The Chair will effectively respond to critical events and processes and facilitate meaningful engagement. As a visionary, collaborative leader, this Chair will have an established, externally funded research program focused on family well-being, demonstrate success in teaching and graduate supervision, and build integrity with justice-related community outreach and engagement.
Candidate Requirements
This Faculty of Social Work Chair position is a community-based Research Chair in system transformation.
Preference will be given to candidates with a track record in impactful systems transformation research.
Appointment at the rank of Associate Professor requires evidence of an established academic program of a calibre equivalent to national recognition by peers. It is expected that a record of high-quality research and scholarship suitable to social work has been achieved. Evidence of ability to obtain funding to sustain a research program is required. Evidence of teaching effectiveness and expertise, including a demonstrated ability to teach a variety of courses, design learning experiences and supervision of graduate students is required. A satisfactory record of active involvement in university, professional or community service is expected.
Appointment at the rank of Professor is reserved for those whose academic achievements are of a caliber equivalent to international standing and as outstanding in their community and in the social work field. It is expected that a record of the highest quality of contributions to research and scholarship, teaching and service, including leadership contributions and impact and innovation within the relevant community and social work discipline, has resulted in distinguished recognition. Evidence of teaching effectiveness, including a demonstrated ability to teach a variety of courses, educational leadership and supervision of graduate students, is required. A distinguished record of service contributions to the institution, the social work discipline and profession, and the broader community is required for appointment to full Professor.
Requirements for this position include:
Other required credentials include:
The successful candidate will have demonstrated the potential to engage outstanding students and future researchers, build individual and community capacity through local and global partnerships, and attract competitive research funding. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to ensure a transformational voice in policy based on research, and facilitate discussions regarding research, services, programs, and systems transformation.
The candidate will have a deep knowledge of service systems, the use of databases and system methodologies, and significant research experience in social work, social sciences, or social policy.
The Faculty of Social Work
The University of Calgary's Faculty of Social Work (FSW) is Canada's largest social work research school. The faculty operates with three campuses (Calgary, Edmonton, and Lethbridge). The FSW is best known for spearheading community-based research and advancing transdisciplinary collaboration.
The FSW is committed to connecting strongly with community partners, government organizations, other disciplines, academic institutions, students, and community colleagues. Accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education, the FSW at the University of Calgary is an innovative social work faculty. The Faculty offers a strong practice and theory-based program that prepares students to be leaders in Social Work. With more than 1000 students currently enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD programs across Canada, the FSW recruits and retains a diverse and inclusive workforce that creates the future of social work.
The University of Calgary strives for excellence through innovative teaching and learning, cutting-edge research, and community linkage. The University's strategic plan entitled, Ahead of Tomorrow Strategic Plan 2023-2030 will position the University of Calgary to be a leading university for transformative change and action by:
The diversity of our scholars and staff reflects UCalgary's commitment to ensuring that all have a rightful place to learn and grow. Through our teaching, research, and community outreach, our values underpin this commitment to serving individuals and communities to flourish. We are committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusivity by cultivating an environment where people with various experiences, genders, interests, and talents feel welcome and supported.
The University has established the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning (http://www.ucalgary.ca/taylorinstitute), which supports the development of teaching excellence and scholarly activity.
Calgary is home to world-class attractions, sporting amenities and public infrastructure that supports a healthy lifestyle, making it a great place to raise a family. Calgary is a city of leaders - in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism with the highest concentration of entrepreneurs and Canadian head offices in Canada. Situated in the sunny foothills of Canada's majestic Rocky Mountains, Calgary is a major urban centre surrounded by a natural area of profound beauty.
Consistently rated by the United Nations as the world's best country to live in, Canada is the world's second-largest country by total area and is one of the most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations. The 10th largest advanced economy in the world, relying upon its abundant natural resources and sophisticated international trade networks, Canada ranks among the highest in international measurements of government transparency, civil liberties, quality of life, economic freedom, and education.
Interested individuals are encouraged to apply online as early as possible. Please include a cover letter, curriculum vitae (including the name and contact information of three references), teaching dossier (including a statement of teaching philosophy, evidence of teaching effectiveness, and educational development plan), statement of principles and values aligned with social work, and statement of research. Please provide all documents in one file.
The closing date for applications is April 30, 2025.
By applying to this posting, you will be considered for all vacancies.
For more information about applying, please contact Dr. Ellen Perrault at [email protected]
To learn more about the Faculty of Social Work please visit https://socialwork.ucalgary.ca/
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In this connection, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: Are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No)
For a listing of all academic opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Academic Careers website. For more information about the Faculty of Social Work, click here.