Senior Lecturer Full Time, Director of the Master of Human-Computer Interaction + Design (MHCI+D) - Information School

Position Overview

School / Campus / College: Information School

Organization: Information School

Title: Senior Lecturer Full Time, Director of the Master of Human-Computer Interaction + Design (MHCI+D) - Information School

Position Details

Position Description

The University of Washington seeks applications for the Director of the Master of Human-Computer Interaction + Design (MHCI+D) program. The successful applicant will be appointed as a Senior Lecturer, full-time, in the University of Washington Information School for three years, with the possibility of renewal. This is a full-time position (nine-month appointment with three months of summer support) with an anticipated start date of August 1. 2019. This position includes faculty voting rights and is not tenure eligible. Compensation will be commensurate with applicant qualifications.

The successful candidate will be housed in a broad-based, inclusive Information School that offers multiple degree programs and is committed to the values of excellence, leadership, innovation, and diversity. University of Washington faculty engage in teaching and service.

About the MHCI+D Program

The MHCI+D graduate program offers a unique, cross-disciplinary approach to educate a new diverse generation of designers, engineers and user researchers who can successfully combine the creative aspects of design and the study of human behavior with the analytical techniques of engineering. Students come from a variety of backgrounds such as visual design, user research, software and technology. Upon graduation, they use their knowledge to create and/or support innovative products and technologies. The program, currently in its sixth year, is a one-year program with a roughly 40 student cohort. MHCI+D is a joint effort of four primary departments: Computer Science & Engineering, the Division of Design in the School of Art + Art History + Design, Human-Centered Design & Engineering, and the Information School.

The University of Washington is a vibrant community of inclusive research and community outreach, situated between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington, in the city of Seattle, on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples. Seattle is a rapidly growing, dynamic, and diverse metropolitan area. The UW is dedicated to hiring faculty that will enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education through their research, teaching, and service. As information systems and institutions serve increasingly diverse and global constituencies, it is critical to understand the ways in which differences in perspectives regarding gender identities, class, race, ethnicity, culture, LGBTQ identities, religious affiliation, national origin, disability and other identities can both divide us and offer us better ways of thinking and working together.

Responsibilities of the MHCI+D Director

The director teaches one course per quarter (four courses per year).This includes a course in summer quarter in which the director runs a studio for capstone projects. In addition, the director teaches a brief (1-2 week) immersion course before the start of Fall quarter. This position includes salary support for a one course teaching reduction, should the director recruit an alternative instructor. The director is also responsible for the overall strategy, direction, and management of the program, which includes:

• Curriculum development and delivery: executing the current curriculum and developing revisions to core courses and and/or expanding future offerings.
• Supervision of program faculty and staff, including hiring, performance management, and annual reviews: Assistant Director of Program Operations, Program Coordinator, Graduate Advisor.
• Coordination and oversight of instructors: MHCI+D Lecturer, Guest Instructors and Teaching Assistants.
• Overseeing program recruiting and admissions, including intentional diversity recruitment, admission and yield/matriculation.
• Recruiting faculty, staff and resources from the four supporting departments and the broader academic and professional HCI/design community to deliver the degree program with excellence.
• Coordinating with the Graduate School regarding school-level program oversight.
• Communications and relationship-building within both academic and professional communities to support student placement, curriculum development and the program’s strategic vision.
• Engaging in select iSchool service activities as appropriate.

Qualifications

The position requires a minimum  of a Masters (or foreign equivalent)—in a field related to human-computer interaction and design. A doctoral degree (or foreign equivalent) in such a field is also acceptable. The ideal candidate will have 3 or more years of work experience in this area and a record of leadership and administration. The ideal candidate will also have documented expertise in teaching and developing design-oriented/studio-based courses.

Instructions

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Preference will be given to applications submitted by April 15, 2019. Selected candidates will be invited for campus visits. Application packages should include: (1) Letter of intent; (2) Current CV; (3) Statement of teaching goals/ philosophy; (4) Diversity statement* (5) Link to a portfolio of your own work and student work, if available; (6) Complete contact information for three academic and/or professional references. Letters of recommendation will be requested from references for short listed candidates.

Inquiries about the position or application process may be directed to Professor Batya Friedman, MHCI+D Search Committee Chair at iapply@uw.edu.

*iSchool Diversity Statement Guidelines

Diversity is a core value of the Information School. We actively work to eliminate barriers and obstacles created by institutional discrimination, seeking full participation in university life in research and teaching across ranks, and among faculty, students, and staff. The Diversity Statement provides an opportunity for applicants to reflect on how they and their approach to research, teaching, and/or service examines, identifies, and/or will contribute to equity, inclusion and/or positive social change that supports people who represent differences in gender identities, class, race, ethnicity, culture, LGBTQ identities, religious affiliation, national origin, disability and other identities. We invite you to be reflective on your own positionality. Please provide examples of your experiences with diversity, equity and inclusion in your research, teaching and/or service or your potential to bring diversity, equity and inclusion to the iSchool and the field of information. Please describe your experience or potential to mentor and educate students who will serve diverse populations.

For your reference please consult the UW iSchool’s diversity web pages: http://ischool.uw.edu/about/diversity/statement

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All
qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed,
religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information,
gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.