Assistant or Associate Professor (Research) Faculty of Social Work

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TERRITORY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The University of Calgary (UCalgary), located in the heart of Southern Alberta, both acknowledges and pays tribute to the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, which include the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprised of the Siksika, the Piikani, and the Kainai First Nations) as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations). The university recognizes that the City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta Districts 5 & 6. By the signing of Treaty 7 in 1877, the university recognizes that we are all treaty people. The City of Calgary is home to a culturally diverse community. Together, we share this land, strive to live together, learn together, walk together, and grow together “in a good way.”

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The University of Calgary recognizes the importance of creating and maintaining a welcoming and equitable environment that enables every campus member to thrive. The Faculty of Social Work is seeking to bring into our Faculty of Social Work community an academic member who would be appointed as Assistant Professor (Research) in a tenure track position, or with tenure at the rank of Associate Professor (Research).

This position can be based at the Faculty’s Lethbridge, Calgary, or Edmonton campus, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2025.

The successful candidate’s substantive area would be in social work practice in the area of: Social Work Administration, Clinical Social Work, Quantitative Analysis/Methodology,

Afrocentric Social Work, Pluralism Skills, Indigenous Inclusive Governance, Family Justice, Child Intervention, Digital Social Work and AI, Simulation,

Community-based Participatory Research Methods and Population Health Science, Systems Transformation, Ethical Space, and/or Future Studies.

Attaining tri-council funding as principal investigator, submitting scholarly works to high-quality publications, and developing impactful knowledge engagement activities will be expected. This role will exponentially advance leadership or clinical practice and policy. This position will support UCalgary as a world leader in social work scholarship and collaborative, reciprocal, inclusive research. Forty percent of the position time is dedicated to research.

The successful candidate will dedicate 40 percent of their time to teaching in our undergraduate and graduate programs. There is the opportunity for scholarship and developing impactful knowledge engagement activities.

Service activities are expected to take up 20 percent of the position’s time. There is an opportunity for administrative leadership and curriculum development, providing service at the faculty, university, and within our profession.

• Appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor normally requires evidence or promise of original high-quality research and scholarship and future development as a scholar. Evidence or promise of the ability to obtain funding may also be required where appropriate. Evidence or promise of teaching proficiency or professional activity may also be required.
• 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 the discipline or field 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 and design learning experiences, may be required. A satisfactory record of active involvement in university, professional or community service is expected.

The successful candidate will be appointed as an Assistant Professor (tenure track) or Associate Professor (with tenure). The candidate will have a substantial research record, an excellent student-centered teaching record, and demonstrate leadership in service, collaboration, and mentorship within academia and evidence of the ability to build reciprocal partnerships with community, including First Nations, Metis, and/or Inuit peoples. These partnerships aim to increase the capacity to engage in appropriate and meaningful initiatives that positively impact the community and Indigenous communities as directed by the community and by First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities.

The successful candidate must have the demonstrated ability to contribute to our Faculty of Social Work Strategic Plan: https://socialwork.ucalgary.ca/about/strategic-plan-0

Indigenous successful candidates will have support from various sources, including, but not limited to, Indigenous faculty members across campus, the UCalgary Circle of Advisors, Elders, the Taylor Institute, and the Vice-Provost (Indigenous Engagement) team. The Circle of Scholars is also an emerging entity within the University of Calgary of Indigenous scholars who are supported in their work individually and collectively. The Circle provides an opportunity for scholars to gather to address matters important to them, the Indigenous communities on campus, and wider Indigenous communities. As a circle, it provides peer connections and support to all participating scholars.

CANDIDATE PROFILE
The candidate must have education and skills, including:
• A completed PhD is required, with a preference for social work; however, a closely related discipline may be considered.
• Completion of a BSW or MSW is required.
• A minimum of two years of full-time experience in project management or organizational team leadership is required.
• A publication record in peer-reviewed journals is required.
• A demonstrated ability to attract external research funding is required.
• Research and program development experience, including experience with community-serving research, collaboration across disciplines, and active, trusted reciprocal relationships.
• Understanding of the strength of collaboration and improving clinical practice.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, train and onboard research partners and personnel.
• Evidence of excellence in teaching and learning, including teaching at a university level, using online delivery methods with an interdisciplinary approach to undergraduate and graduate levels, and contributing to ongoing curriculum development.
• Evidence of practice knowledge, skills, and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, decolonization, anti-oppression, and social justice.
• Knowledge to support and promote Indigenous models of practice and ways of knowing.
• Eligibility to register with the Alberta College of Social Workers is required.
• Previous academic scholarship in Indigenous areas is required.
• Membership on a graduate student supervisory committee is required. And,
• Experience as a field education practicum supervisor is required.

COMPETENCIES
• Visionary, collaborative, respectful, relational, and strategic.
• An exceptional communicator with the capacity to advocate, influence and inspire in various settings across diverse demographics of stakeholders.
• Demonstrates an impactful understanding of equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization principles and Indigenous engagement. Demonstrates ability to lead transformative change that advances the parallel relationships with Indigenous communities and peoples.
• An ideal candidate would have a deep knowledge and connection to Indigenous communities and wellness practices and an ability to contribute substantially to our Faculty’s Indigenous Strategy and its grounding to deepen our commitment to social justice, walking parallel paths, and adopting respectful approaches with Indigenous peoples. Our faculty plans to advance with a deep awareness of our shared present and historical relations, including our professions’ role in contributing to systemic racism toward Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island and its legacy of harms.
• Proven capacity to build and sustain trust through openness, listening, and engagement while demonstrating an uncompromising commitment to ethical values and the highest level of integrity.
• Models leadership for transforming the campus identity to promote cultural inclusivity and respect.
• Enable student success and community outreach in support of community-engaged initiatives within the Faculty of Social Work.
• Excellent skills in intercultural relationships, including cultural humility and safety.
• Models excellent skills in intercultural relationships, including facilitation of cultural humility and ethical space.

ii’ taa’poh’to’p THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY INDIGENOUS STRATEGY

TOGETHER IN A GOOD WAY: A JOURNEY OF TRANSFORMATION AND RENEWAL
• In the spring of 2016, UCalgary set out to build the Indigenous Strategy (ii’ taa’poh’to’p) by gathering stories and perspectives from Traditional Knowledge Keepers, cultural advisors, agencies, and communities. The strategy was adopted in November 2017 with a foundation in transformation, renewal, and shared ethical space. It includes 27 recommendations that address ways of knowing, doing, connecting and being, touching on all aspects of the university. The university is enacting the strategy’s directions through an Elders/UCalgary leadership Circle of Advisors, the UCalgary Indigenous Strategy Implementation Committee and its seven sub-committees, and the ii’ taa poh’to’p Student Circle of Advisors, as well as several other Faculty based committees and action plans.
• ii’ taa’poh’to’p guides UCalgary on its path of transformation, and communicates its commitment and responsibility for truth and reconciliation. The strategy is and will remain a living document within the institution, whereby progress will be monitored, and content and direction will be renewed through a process of evaluation and evolution.

THE GIFTINGS
• ii’ taa’poh’to’p, the Blackfoot name of the University of Calgary’s Indigenous Strategy, was bestowed and transferred in ceremony by Kainai Elder Andy Black Water on June 21, 2017. The name signifies a place to rejuvenate and re-energize while on a journey. Traditionally, these places are recognized as safe, caring, restful and offer renewed energy for an impending journey. In a traditional naming ceremony, transitioning into the new name is a journey of transformation towards self-actualization.
• In addition to the Blackfoot name, the UCalgary received several cultural gifts from Indigenous communities. Dr. Reg Crowshoe, Piikani Elder and member of the UCalgary Senate, transferred cultural symbols in ceremony to UCalgary on June 21, 2017. These symbols provide the university with primary principles and concepts to communicate the Indigenous Strategy. On that same day, Rod Hunter of the Stoney Nakoda gifted UCalgary with an honour song that is used at the beginning of large gatherings, including convocation. UCalgary has graciously received these and other gifts with a commitment to strengthen and positively advance the relationships between Indigenous communities and the university.

THE PATH TO RECONCILIATION
• The clear and compelling imperative for the development and realization of UCalgary’s Indigenous Strategy is based on an authentic foundation of compassion encouraged through intercultural learning opportunities that promote awareness, education, and understanding. Building knowledge and understanding of Indigenous perspectives, worldviews, histories, cultures, and belief systems is essential to enabling and realizing steps toward true reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. UCalgary is committed to a position advanced by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that educational institutions are profoundly responsible for initiating, securing and sustaining reconciliation.

FACULTY OF SOCIAL WORK
• Our Faculty’s research agenda is diverse. Some of our researchers focus on systemic and policy solutions to complex social problems. In contrast, others focus on applied research that improves the lives of individuals, families and communities, practice, and higher education teaching. Our innovative, transdisciplinary research demands meaningful community engagement focusing on practice, social justice and human rights. We are committed to ensuring Indigenous ways of knowing are sustained, supporting decolonizing research, and building Indigenous research capacity.
• Accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education, the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary strives to offer a strong practice-based program across the province that will prepare students to be leaders in the field of Social Work. We seek to recruit and retain a diverse and inclusive workforce that will create the future of social work. We are committed to fostering equity, diversity, inclusivity, and decolonization by cultivating an environment where people with various lived experiences, genders, interests, and talents feel welcome and supported. The Faculty of Social Work is committed to creating a strong connection with community partners, government organizations, and other disciplines and academic institutions, students and colleagues.
• UCalgary’s Faculty of Social Work has provided innovative social work education for 58 years and is the largest school of social work in Canada. We are consistently ranked among North America’s top 15 research social work schools regarding research productivity. Our research contributes to a greater understanding of complex social issues while making a difference in the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and internationally.
• The Faculty of Social Work comprises approximately 600 undergraduate students, 400 graduate students, 50 faculty members, and 30 staff. We are proud to offer a range of undergraduate and graduate social work programs across Alberta and Canada. The Faculty of Social Work has campuses across Alberta in Lethbridge, Calgary, and Edmonton and beyond through nationally accredited blended learning programs to meet the needs of our diverse full-time students and working professionals. Through innovative delivery models, we also provide quality undergraduate education to rural and remote communities throughout the province, providing a curriculum with cultural and geographic relevance responsive to Indigenous issues.
• Our Faculty’s research is integral to UCalgary’s Ahead of Tomorrow (https://ucalgary.ca/about/ahead-of-tomorrow).
• Several social work courses include Indigenous content; all courses have Indigenous outcomes woven throughout. For example, our Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Informed Practice includes a mandatory course, Advanced Trauma-Informed Practice with Indigenous People and Communities, which focuses on the nature of historical, multigenerational, and contemporary dynamics that impact Indigenous people through an examination of the traumatic experiences of colonization, residential schools, rampant child welfare apprehensions, cultural suppression, and discrimination. The faculty is launching an Indigenous Ways of Knowing in Leadership Certificate in 2025 as part of the Graduate program. Reconciliation is a concept that is embedded in the texture of the Canadian social work professional system. For this reason, the Faculty of Social Work is working on curriculum redesign and expanding the breadth and depth of Indigenous content in the curriculum, including courses focusing on Indigenous peoples, Indigenous ways of knowing, relevant issues, and responses to the TRC Calls to Action.
• In 2020, the Faculty of Social Work Kiipitakyoyis (Grandmother Lodge) was created with donor support, to recruit, provide scholarship funding, and offer culturally appropriate supports to guide Indigenous students toward their social work degree. The Faculty of Social Work works with Elders and Knowledge Keepers regularly and dedicates funds to strengthen the presence of elders in our programs.
• The Faculty of Social Work is developing an Indigenous Strategy, and the successful candidate will be an engaged member of this strategy development.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
• https://socialwork.ucalgary.ca/about/strategic-plan-0 – the Faculty of Social Work Strategic Plan
• https://socialwork.ucalgary.ca/
• ii’ taa’poh’to’p (https://www.ucalgary.ca/indigenous/about-ii-taapohtop)- University of Calgary’s Indigenous Strategy
• http://www.ucalgary.ca
• https://research.ucalgary.ca/conduct-research/additional-resources/indigenous-research-support-team
• https://www.ucalgary.ca/hr/campus-culture/indigenous-work
To explore this opportunity further, please contact fswdean@ucalgary.ca Dr. Ellen Perrault, PhD, Dean, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary.

TO APPLY
Interested individuals are encouraged to submit an application online. A complete application should include:
• Cover letter and 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).
• A statement outlining the candidate’s value alignment with CASW values, and Indigenization.
• Statement of research interests, which can include a sample of a relevant research paper.
• If applicable, applicants must self-identify as an Indigenous scholar in their cover letter. Please provide all documents in one file.
Within your application, indicate the rank for which you are applying. Please be aware that the application process allows for only four attachments, which may require you to merge documents.

The closing date for applications is April 11, 2025.

Please submit your application online via the following link: https://careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/15421856-assistant-or-associate-professor-research-faculty-of-social-work

The University of Calgary recognizes that candidates have varying career paths, and that career interruption can be part of an excellent academic record. Candidates are encouraged but not required to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or career interruptions to allow for a fair assessment of their application. Selection committees have been instructed to carefully consider, and be sensitive to the impact of career interruptions when assessing the candidate’s application.

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 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).

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.

About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada’s entrepreneurial university, located in Canada’s most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada’s leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

About Calgary, Alberta
Calgary is one of the world’s cleanest cities and has been named one of the world’s most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders – in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from a growing number of world-class dining and cultural events and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour’s drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.

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