Indigenous Scholar of Cultural Heritage and Worldviews

Area of Specializations:

Wilfrid Laurier University is seeking an Indigenous scholar engaged in fields broadly characterized as cultural heritage and worldviews and whose specializations align with the needs and interests of the departments of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, and Religion and Culture. We are looking for candidates with backgrounds in archaeology, art history, cultural heritage and/or religious studies. Potential specializations might include, but are not limited to cultural heritage management, material culture, visual ecologies and human influences on the landscape, visual arts, rock art, or epigraphy and paleography. Candidates with field experience and the ability to support students through an archaeological field school are especially encouraged to apply.

Rank/s of the Position:

Assistant Professor

Type of Position:

Tenure-track

Faculty/Department/Program Description:

The Archaeology and Heritage Studies undergraduate program (https://students.wlu.ca/programs/arts/archaeology-and-heritage-studies/index.html) is recognized for its academic excellence with many graduates going on to world-class graduate programs in archaeology, museum studies and related fields, and careers in all parts of the world. Archaeology and Heritage Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University is also renowned for its experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate students. It is the only undergraduate Archaeology program in Ontario that has mandatory field courses, and undergraduate students can gain additional hands-on learning experience through faculty-led research, the Work Study program and volunteer opportunities.

Religion and Culture undergraduate program requirements can be fulfilled with a robust curriculum of intramural and online courses (https://students.wlu.ca/programs/arts/religion-and-culture/index.html). The MA program in Religion, Culture and Global Justice (https://students.wlu.ca/programs/arts/religion-and-culture/masters-program/index.html) shared with the Global Studies Department fosters strong inter-cultural competencies for confronting global- and local-level challenges and transformations. The joint PhD program with the University of Waterloo in Religious Diversity in North America (https://students.wlu.ca/programs/arts/religion-and-culture/doctoral-program/index.html) trains scholars in multidisciplinary theories and methods with an emphasis on the diverse nature of religious interactions.

Position Summary:

Archaeology and Heritage Studies and Religion and Culture are seeking an Indigenous scholar engaged in innovative research using an interdisciplinary approach with a concentrated focus in cultural heritage and worldviews. The successful candidate will be an effective teacher and active participant in shaping curriculum and programming in both units while directly addressing strategic priorities to develop teaching and research in cultural heritage and world views as a comprehensive strength at Wilfrid Laurier University. This includes developing and expanding on existing experiential learning opportunities for students and engaging with scholars from other programs, departments and faculties at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Qualifications:

A strong scholar with a promising record of research whose work is focused in cultural heritage and worldviews, and who will build and enhance interdisciplinary strengths in the fields of archaeology, heritage studies, and religious studies. Successful candidates will be emerging or respected scholars and teachers in all career stages, including those who are suitable for appointment at the rank of lecturer, as well as assistant, associate and full professor. Outstanding candidates without a PhD will be considered if they are a recognized Indigenous knowledge-holder, hold connection to Indigenous communities, employ Indigenous research and teaching methodologies, and have notable scholarly outputs recognized by other Indigenous scholars. Successful candidates’ scholarships should support and enhance at least one area of priority listed above under Area of Specializations. Able to teach a selection of existing courses  and to assist with development of online courses in the undergraduate programs of Archaeology and Heritage Studies and Religion and Culture, and to offer graduate-level seminars and to contribute to graduate advising for programs in Religion, Culture and Global Justice and Religious Diversity in North America. The successful candidate will also have opportunities to develop additional courses within their area of expertise.

Deadline for receiving applications is April 15, 2023. To apply or if you have questions, please contact Mike Young at myoung@boyden.com.