Application Deadline: June 17, 2026
School of Social Work
Lakehead University, Thunder Bay Campus, invites applications for a Contract Lecturer in the School of Social Work. Applications are requested to teach:
SOWK 1100 YA – Introduction to Social Welfare
An in-depth exploration of the experience of poverty and Canada’s social welfare system – specifically the income security programs offered as part of that system. We will examine the income security-related social policy and social programs that underlie the Canadian social welfare system. Attention is given to the history of society's response to meeting human need and to the various philosophical and theoretical perspectives and motivations for social welfare. We will look at how the social welfare system works, how it became what it is today, who makes decisions about it, what theories and approaches inform those decisions, and why certain vulnerable populations within our society are more likely to make use of it. Attention will be given to key concepts including oppression and social justice.
Start Date/Duration: September 8, 2026 to April 6, 2027
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
SOWK 4401 YA – Theory of Social Work Practice II
Focuses on theories and their applications relevant to the practice of macro social work related to community work, organizations, and programming. The course incorporates a variety of perspectives and applications.
Start Date/Duration: September 8, 2026 to April 6, 2027
Mondays, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
SOWK 4405 YA – Research in Social Work
Provides students with a basic understanding of: the issues surrounding conceptualization, creation, and utilization of knowledge and empirical evidence; quantitative methodologies; and the role of research in professional social work practice. Emphasis is placed on research design, including developing research questions and objectives, conducting comprehensive literature reviews, completing the ethics review process, and collecting and analyzing data. This course will introduce basic statistics, including measures of central tendency, variability, and association, significance tests, and statistical analysis. A critical examination of selected research materials in the field of social work will be used to appraise research as an integral component of social work practice and competency.
Start Date/Duration: September 8, 2026 to December 8, 2026
Mondays, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
SOWK 4610 FDE – Identity, Diversity & Anti-Discriminatory Practice (Fall) (Web Based)
Focuses on diverse identities and the role of culture in social work practice. The role of systematic inequalities, oppression, privilege, and power in relation to social work practice will be examined.
Start Date/Duration: September 8, 2026 to December 8, 2026
SOWK/GERO 3439 WDE – Living with Grief and Loss (Winter) (Web Based)
A study of the human grief process, whether it is due to bereavement or other significant life losses, and effective ways to support people in adapting to their new reality. Both normal and complicated grief will be considered. The course is relevant to studies in the human services, gerontology, education and health care.
Start Date/Duration: January 4, 2027 to April 6, 2027
SOWK 3630 WDE – Social Work Practice with Children and Families (Winter) (Web Based)
Designed to provide students with theoretical knowledge and clinical skills relating to social work practice with families incorporating a variety of family and child therapies.
Start Date/Duration: January 4, 2027 to April 6, 2027
SOWK/WOME 4213 WDE – Violence and Social Work Practice (Winter) (Web Based)
Examining issues regarding societal violence, social policy and social work practice with the implications for individuals, families, groups and communities. Special issues include structural violence, family violence, safer communities, and violent offenders.
Start Date/Duration: January 4, 2027 to April 6, 2027
Please note: This schedule is tentative and subject to change. Instructors should refer to the online timetable prior to the start of classes.
Qualifications Preferred: PhD in Social Work or MSW, RSW with 10 years experience in related field. Experience with experiential learning and online or alternative modes of delivery is highly desired.
Compensation
In accordance with Collective Agreement provisions, Contract Lecturers shall be remunerated at one of the three following levels:
Level 1: $8,355
Level 2: $8,590
Level 3: $9,059
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. Les Fleischer. Detailed information on the School of Social Work and our programs is available at: www.lakeheadu.ca
Review of applications will begin on June 18, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. The electronic application (in the form of one PDF document) should include: a curriculum vitae, statement of teaching interests and/or evidence of teaching effectiveness. A completed Confirmation of Eligibility to Work in Canada.pdf form must accompany your package. We encourage applicants with the Right of First Refusal (as outlined in article 19.03.02 of the LUFA/LU Collective Agreement) to indicate their status in their application.
Applicants should submit their electronic application to:
School of Social Work
Lakehead University
955 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1
Attn: Dr. Les Fleischer, Director
E-mail: social.work@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 or human.resources@lakeheadu.cato make appropriate arrangements.
This position is subject to budgetary approval.