Canada Excellence Research Chairs [CERC] in Democracy & Social Inequality

The Faculty of Arts at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada invites applications to the Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) Program from a recognized international leader in the area of Democracy and Social Inequality, with a focus on one or more of the following areas: the dynamics of disenfranchisement in democratic countries; grassroots collective action and democratic revitalization; social movements, polarisation and extremism; the politics of race; Indigenous governance; for a non-renewable period of 8 years.

The successful candidate will complement Ryerson’s current strengths in Democracy Studies. With recent institutional-wide investments of over $9M in infrastructure and operations funding, the successful candidate will join a dynamic body of scholars focused on Democracy Studies, Democratic Engagement, Political Empowerment, Citizenship and Migrant Rights, Indigenous Politics, and Public Policy. The Faculty of Arts is home to the Jarislowsky Democracy Chair, the Democratic Engagement Exchange, a Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Biskaabiiyang and Indigenous Political Resurgence, the internationally-recognized Yellowhead Institute, the Young Workers’ Rights Hub, a large and highly sought after Master of Arts in Public Policy and Administration, and a unique interdisciplinary PhD program in Policy Studies.

The successful candidate will be nominated by the University to the Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) Program by mid-October 2022, with decisions expected by the end of March 2023. Following notice of award and upon official acceptance by all parties, successful candidates will have up to 12 months to commence the Chair. The successful CERC will be appointed at the rank of Full Professor or Associate Professor with tenure, and their salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The Nominee will be expected to:

• articulate, develop and advance an innovative, productive and impactful research program that contributes to Ryerson’s Scholarly, Research and Creative (SRC) activities and involves meaningful public engagement;
• expand their leadership and influence within their academic discipline through professional activities such as editorships, awards, conference organization and other public and professional contributions;
• demonstrate a commitment to the training of students, researchers and scholars at all levels of study; and,
• collaborate within a multi-disciplinary community of researchers who vary with respect to theoretical orientations and levels of analysis.

Research Chairs fall under the jurisdiction of the Ryerson Faculty Association (RFA) (www.rfanet.ca). The RFA collective agreement may be viewed here and a summary of RFA benefits can be found here.

Nominees to the CERC program must be at the rank of Full Professor, or Associate Professor expected to be promoted to Full Professor within one or two years of the nomination. Alternatively, if their experience is outside the academic sector, nominees must possess the qualifications necessary to be appointed at these ranks. The nominee must hold a full-time academic appointment at the nominating institution on the start date of the CERC award. 

In addition to the above requirements, the successful nominee will:

• hold a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline with documented research contributions;
• have demonstrated an innovative and internationally recognized program of research that advances current thinking in relevant research areas;
• have the potential for, and openness to interdisciplinary impact; and
• have demonstrated a strong, authentic and sustained commitment to equity, anti-racism, diversity and inclusion in their research and teaching activities.

Nominations are subject to review by the CERC Secretariat, and appointment as a Canada Excellence Research Chair is conditional upon their approval.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit their application online via the Faculty Recruitment Portal   [https://hr.cf.ryerson.ca/ams/faculty/] by selecting, “Start Application Process”. Applications containing the following, must be received by May 13, 2022:  

The application must contain the following:

• a letter of application outlining your interest in the position and what makes you a strong candidate overall as a researcher, educator, and community builder;
• a current curriculum vitae providing a clear sense of your scholarly and professional development via your education and your research activities and outcomes, but not limited to: peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, public talks, articles reaching specialist and non-specialist audiences, effective use of social media for research impact and networking; as well as your contributions to making your discipline a more equitable and inclusive discipline through committee work, community engagement, social media, and advocacy;
• a research statement discussing the significance, originality, and potential impacts of your current and developing research program (up to 3 pages), including your ability to attract research funding through fundraising efforts and the writing of grants, building international networks within and outside of the academy and enhancing the academic standing of the University through your work and connections globally;
• an EDI statement that includes your record of attracting and mentoring a diverse group of students, trainees and research personnel, and establishing an equitable and inclusive research environment. This should include a plan for establishing and maintaining a diverse core team (at the student, trainee, personnel and early-career researcher levels), and an environment that is safe and inclusive and allows all team members to reach their full research potential (e.g., through the recruitment and outreach strategy, equitable training opportunities, professional development and mentoring); and,
• the names and email contact information of three academic referees.
   

Contacts

Questions about the CERC program and Ryerson recruiting should be sent electronically to Dayle Levine (Manager, Institutional Projects, Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, Ryerson University) at cerc@ryerson.ca. Specific research-related questions in relation to this competition should be sent electronically to Dr. Pam Sugiman, Dean, Faculty of Arts.

Disabled persons who would like to learn more about working at Ryerson University are welcome to contact Heather Willis, Accessibility Co-ordinator at hwillis@ryerson.ca. For those requiring accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact cerc@ryerson.ca for arrangements.

Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about working at Ryerson University are welcome to contact Tracey King, Miigis Kwe, the Indigenous Human Resources Lead and the Founding Co-Chair of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Community Group at t26king@ryerson.ca. Candidates may also contact Riley Kucheran, Chair of the Indigenous Faculty Council at the University.

Black identified candidates who wish to learn more about working at Ryerson University are welcome to contact Shurla Charles-Forbes, Black Faculty & Staff Community Network at

shurla.charlesforbes@ryerson.ca. Candidates may also contact Dr. Melanie Knight, Advisor to the Dean, Faculty of Arts on Blackness and Black Diasporic Education.