Department of English

Application Deadline: July 1, 2024

Department of English

Reference # SSH-2024-25-01

Lakehead University, Orillia Campus, invites applications for one tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor in the Department of English in the field of Indigenous Storytelling. The position will commence on January 1, 2025.

The Department of English offers courses with an Indigenous focus from the first year to the Master’s level. The successful candidate will be expected to teach courses in Indigenous literature and/or culture and contribute to the growing undergraduate and graduate programs in English at the Orillia campus.

Applicants for this position should have (or be close to completion of) a PhD in English, Indigenous Studies or a related field, or an MFA (or the equivalent) in Creative Writing. Applicants should also be able to demonstrate:

• Expertise in Indigenous storytelling in any medium with the ability to teach Indigenous literatures in English from Turtle Island;
• Expertise in and a commitment to Indigenous pedagogies;
• Teaching experience and a commitment to teaching excellence and innovation at the undergraduate and graduate level; and
• A track record of scholarly and/or creative publication and an ongoing commitment to research and/or creative practice.

Experience in and a commitment to social justice and/or community engagement pedagogies is highly desirable, as is experience with experiential learning and online or alternative modes of course delivery. Lived experience as an Indigenous person with strong ties to Indigenous nation(s) and Indigenous knowledges will be considered a significant asset.

Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. Our campuses are located in Thunder Bay on the traditional lands of the Fort William First Nation, Signatory to the Robinson Superior Treaty of 1850 and in Orillia on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, and Rama First Nation. Lakehead University acknowledges the history that many nations hold in the areas around our campuses and is committed to a relationship with Métis and Inuit and First Nations peoples. Lakehead has approximately 10,000 students and 2,160 faculty and staff. With an emphasis on collaborative learning and independent critical thinking and a multidisciplinary teaching approach, Lakehead offers a variety of degree and diploma programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels through its nine faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Health and Behavioural Sciences, Natural Resources Management, Science and Environmental Studies, Social Sciences and Humanities, Graduate Studies, and Faculty of Law. For further information, please visit: www.lakeheadu.ca.

For further information, please contact Dr. Anna Guttman, Chair of the Department of English (aguttman@lakeheadu.ca). Detailed information on the Department of English and our programs is available at: https://www.lakeheadu.ca/programs/departments/english

Review of applications will begin on July 1, 2024. and continue until the position is filled. The electronic application (in the form of one PDF document) quoting Reference # SSH-2024-25-01 should include: a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, evidence of teaching effectiveness (including a statement of teaching philosophy, course outlines and teaching evaluations for previously-taught courses), a statement of a research and/or creative plan (current and future interests), samples of published scholarly and/or creative writing, and the names and contact information of three references. A completed Confirmation of Eligibility to Work in Canada.pdf form must accompany your package. 

Applicants should submit their electronic application to:

Dr. Glenda Bonifacio, Dean
Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
Lakehead University
955 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, ON  P7B 5E1
Email: ssh@lakeheadu.ca

Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, racialized persons, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities and other equity-seeking groups. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. This is in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements.

Lakehead University has an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan 2019-2024 with a goal to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as measured by increasing representation of under-represented groups among applicants, candidates and hires. We encourage candidates to self-identify, if you are from an under-represented group, and prefer candidates with the knowledge, competencies and relationships derived from lived experience. Experience working with Indigenous or racialized communities, and/or members of other equity-deserving groups is a strong asset. A lived experience or worked experience of any of these issues is preferred.

We appreciate your interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be notified. Lakehead University is committed to supporting an accessible environment. Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact the Office of Human Resources at (807) 343.8010 ext. 8334 orhuman.resources@lakeheadu.cato make appropriate arrangements.

This position is subject to budgetary approval.