INTRODUCTION

The Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut (UConn) is pleased to invite applications for a faculty position in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the rank of a tenure-track Assistant Professor with a focus in the area of race and social justice in education, with an anticipated start date of August 2022. While our search is open to candidates across a range of possible disciplinary foci (e.g., mathematics education; bilingual education; language, literacy, and culture), we seek a candidate whose research and teaching focus on examining the ways education intersects with issues of race, equity, and justice, with a focus on communities that have historically been, and continue to be, underserved by schools (e.g. Black, Latinx, Indigenous, or immigrant populations). All candidates must have an earned doctorate and a demonstrated commitment to exemplary research that yields high-quality scholarship with extramural funding potential.

The Department of Curriculum and Instruction is committed to building a culturally diverse educational environment. As we invest in building diversity, equity, and inclusion in our faculty, research, coursework, and other activities, we are seeking faculty who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of our programs and courses through their research, teaching, and service. In particular, we are searching for faculty who employ anti-racism and racial, social, and economic justice as lenses for their research and teaching.

A successful candidate must have potential for success in conducting research, student advising, and teaching undergraduate and graduate courses. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to mentor undergraduate and graduate students, in particular BIPOC students, develop collegial relationships, and possess strong interpersonal skills. In particular, the program seeks applicants who take a critical approach to their research and teaching with a focus on education as a platform for social change. The candidate must also have a commitment to ongoing research productivity and demonstrated participation in the field (e.g., service in professional organizations, service to academic journals).

The Department of Curriculum and Instruction (EDCI) offers outstanding undergraduate and graduate programs of study for both pre-service and in-service educators. The primary focus of our faculty is the preparation of leaders to serve all levels of education. Graduate students in EDCI may pursue a Master of Arts degree in curriculum and instruction; a Doctor of Philosophy in curriculum and instruction; or a Sixth-Year Diploma in professional education. Graduate certificates are also available in certain areas. EDCI faculty members conduct research reflecting their interests in such areas as teacher education; language and literacy; math and science education; social studies education; and world language and bilingual education. They also hold national leadership positions, are recipients of major research grants, serve as consultants to state agencies and public schools, and have received local and national recognition for their teaching and scholarship. 

The Neag School of Education stands out as a major contributor to instructional and research excellence at the University of Connecticut. With academic departments dedicated to educational leadership, educational psychology, and curriculum and instruction, the Neag School offers programs in such areas as teacher education; school psychology; sport management; higher education and student affairs; and administrator preparation. According to the 2022 U.S. News & World Report rankings of Best Graduate Schools, the Neag School ranks among the top 20 public graduate schools of education in the nation.

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Doctoral degree in education with teaching and research focused on Race and Social Justice in Education. Doctoral candidates who complete their degree by August 2022 will be considered.
• Classroom teaching experience at the elementary, middle, or secondary level
• Evidence of scholarly productivity (e.g., publications, presentations)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Ability to teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses centering issues of race, social justice and equity in education
• Publications with evidence of commitment to equity and social justice in refereed journals
• Evidence of or potential for, mentoring undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students, in particular BIPOC students
• Evidence of or potential for, contributions at the program, department, school, or university level
• Evidence of or potential for, active involvement in national organizations in the field of education
• Strong reputation and record of both national and international presentations focused on race, equity, and social justice
• Ability to develop collegial relationships and work with diverse populations
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Pursuit of extramural funding
• Demonstrated use of technology in the classroom, and/or experience in online instruction, are preferred

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, 9-month position with an anticipated start date of August 2022. The successful candidate’s academic appointment will be at the Storrs campus, although faculty may also be asked to teach at one of UConn’s regional campuses as part of their ordinary workload. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment at the University of Connecticut is contingent upon the successful candidate’s compliance with the University’s Mandatory Workforce COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.  This Policy states that all workforce members are required to have or obtain a Covid-19 vaccination as a term and condition of employment at UConn, unless an exemption or deferral has been approved. 

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/20186 and submit the following application materials:

• A cover letter that addresses the qualifications,
• Curriculum vitae,
• All academic transcripts,
• Brief articulation of teaching philosophy,
• Research and scholarship statement (innovative concepts that will form the basis of academic career, experience in proposal development, mentorship of graduate students, etc.);
• Commitment to diversity statement (including broadening participation, integrating multicultural experiences in instruction and research and pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles, etc.);
• Sample journal articles or books,
• Three letters of reference.

Evaluation of applicants will begin on November 15, 2021 and continue until the position is filled. For more information regarding the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, please visit the department website at edci.education.uconn.edu.

Questions may be addressed to the search committee chair, Dr. Rachael Gabriel, rachael.gabriel@uconn.edu.

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This position will be filled subject to budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics, which may be found at ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.