Assistant, Associate, Full Professor, Tenure-Track, in Native North American Indigenous Knowledge
Position Overview
Organization: Information School
Title: Assistant, Associate, Full Professor, Tenure-Track, in Native North American Indigenous Knowledge
Position Details
Position Description
The University of Washington’s Information School (iSchool) is seeking two candidates for the position of a full-time 9-month appointment at the rank of Assistant, Associate or Full Professor in Native North American Indigenous Knowledge, commensurate with experience and qualifications, with an anticipated start date of September 1, 2022. The iSchool is located in Seattle, Washington, on the homelands of the Coast Salish peoples whose land touches the shared waters of all tribes and bands within the Suquamish, Tulalip, and Muckleshoot nations.
The successful applicant will be expected to employ Indigenous research methodologies; will be expected to work with qualitative, quantitative, mixed and/or design methods, and will be expected to mentor undergraduate and graduate students from diverse backgrounds.
The iSchool has spent the past 20 years building the Native North American Indigenous Knowledge (NNAIK) Program, whose current faculty represent a broad range of research areas, from Indigenous librarianship to museology to tribal water security. Their collective research centers the protection and advancement of Indigenous Knowledge Systems among AIAN. The NNAIK faculty teach across four of the iSchool’s degree programs: Bachelor of Science in Informatics, Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS), Master of Information Management (MSIM), and Doctor of Philosophy in Information Science (PhD).
The iSchool is also home of the iNative research group which seeks to raise the level of discourse concerning information and Native American communities through an Indigenous Knowledge lens and with a focus on social justice. Working as co-creators, members of iNative analyze the institutions, community practices, philosophies and policies around knowledge, information and technology in support of tribal sovereignty and Indigenous empowerment.
The iSchool also houses the Tribal Water Security and Tribal Research Ethics Research Group. This multidisciplinary research group aims to better understand environmental health and water security challenges among AIAN and other indigenous peoples to promote health equity, cultural revitalization and Tribal sovereignty. In addition, they examine the research approval process implemented by Tribal Nations across and the US. This group engages with Tribally-led projects to employ ethical research principles and Indigenous research methodologies into their research process.
The successful applicant will be expected to teach and engage in research in one or more of the following areas:
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Cultural heritage management in libraries, archives, and museums
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Digital archives and curation for cultural heritage
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Indigenous environmental health or science
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Indigenous health and wellness
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Indigenous futurisms
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Indigenous knowledge and new media technologies
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Intellectual and cultural property rights
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Language and revitalization
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Social movements such as NoDAPL or MMIWM
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Tribal governance
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Tribal sovereignty, self-determination and treaty rights
The successful applicant will be expected to support the intergenerational holistic health and well-being of Indigenous individuals and communities in their research and teaching.
The successful candidate will join a broad-based, inclusive Information School, whose faculty members pursue their research, teaching, and service across multiple degree programs and are committed to leadership, innovation, social justice and upholding tribal sovereignty. The successful applicant will be expected to seek and acquire extramural funding for research as evidenced through a submitted CV.
The University of Washington (UW) is the home of wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ – Intellectual House, a gathering space. UW also has a number of resources for AIAN and First Nations faculty and students, including an American Indian Studies Department, Native American Advisory Board, Native American Graduation (formally known as Raven’s Feast), UW Powwows, and several AIAN student groups. In addition, the Pacific Northwest houses several active Native American-led programs and initiatives that support the broader Native Community. These include the Chief Seattle Club, Daybreak Star, Potlatch Fund, Seattle Indian Health Board, and Urban Indian Health Institute.
Qualifications
Applicants must have a PhD or foreign equivalent by date of appointment. A demonstrated record of successful work with North American Bands, Tribes or Nations is required. Applicants must have a demonstrated research record of working with Tribal sovereignty and the Indigenous knowledge held by American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) peoples in their research. Applicants must have a background working in arts and humanities, natural sciences, computational sciences, and social sciences, including but not limited to these disciplines: Game Studies, Environmental Health, Internet and New Media Studies, Law and Science, Library and Information Science, Museology, Science, Technology, and Society Studies.
Instructions
Application packages should include: CV, a letter of intent, teaching statement, research statement, diversity statement*, and names and contact information for three references. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for letters of reference. Please contact Dr. Michelle H. Martin, Chair NNAIK Search, with questions (iapply@uw.edu). Preference will be given to applications submitted by April 3, 2022.
*Diversity Statement
Inclusion, diversity, equity, access, and tribal sovereignty are core values of the Information School. The Diversity Statement provides an opportunity for applicants to reflect on how their approach to research, teaching, and/or service examines, identifies, and/or will contribute to positive social change that supports people who represent differences in gender, class, race, ethnicity, ability, religious affiliation, national and cultural boundaries, national origin, worldview, intellectual origin, and other identities. We also invite you to be reflective and describe where you stand to learn and grow with regard to issues of diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice. In short, we would like to know, what does “diversity” in academic teaching, service, and research mean to you? Also, please discuss your potential to mentor and educate students who will serve populations from a variety of backgrounds and geographies.
Applicants may find further information about the UW at the following websites:
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iSchool: ischool.uw.edu
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iSchool’s diversity web pages: http://ischool.uw.edu/about/diversity/statement
Tribal Relations: https://www.washington.edu/diversity/tribal-relations/
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.
Commitment to Diversity
The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).
COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements and Information
Under Washington State Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.1, University of Washington (UW) workers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof thereof, or receive a UW-approved medical or religious exemption. This requirement will be a condition of any offer associated with this recruitment. For more information, please visit https://www.washington.edu/coronavirus/vaccination-requirement/.