Open date: October 5, 2023
Deadline to apply: While the search remains open until the position is filled, interested applicants are asked to submit their complete application package by December 15, 2023.
The Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education within UBC’s Faculty of Education, one of the world’s leading faculties of its kind, invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor (tenure-track) or Associate Professor (tenured) in Special Education, with a specialty in the Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students and in Early Childhood Education.
Situated on the unceded, ancestral, and traditional territories of the xwmə0kwəy’əm (Musqueam) people in Vancouver, Canada, the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS) in the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia invites applications for an Assistant Professor (tenure track) or Associate Professor (tenured) position in Special Education with a specialty in the Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students and in Early Childhood Education. The appointment is expected to begin on July 1, 2024, or as mutually agreed upon between the University and the successful candidate.
The Special Education program at UBC concerns the education of students with exceptionalities, such as students with visual impairments, developmental disabilities, emotional or behavioural disorders, learning disabilities, gifts and talents, and those who are Deaf or hard of hearing. It is one of only two programs in Canada offering a Master’s in Special Education with a concentration in the Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. Students can choose an MEd or MA program depending on their level of interest in conducting research, or apply for a PhD. The Master’s program is appropriate for students with a special interest in meeting the language, educational, psychosocial, and communication needs of learners who are Deaf or hard of hearing. Completion of the program meets eligibility requirements for the Canadian Association of Educators of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CAEDHH) Certification to become a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. This program and/or K-12 settings across itinerant, small group, and/or specialized school settings with learners who utilize a variety of languages (e.g., American Sign Language, English, Langue des signes du Québec [LSQ]). The program consists of a cohort model with students from across Canada and all courses are offered virtually/online. For more information on the Special Education program, please visit this link.
The Early Childhood Education (ECED) Program is a cross-faculty unit across UBC’s Faculty of Education to offer a number of undergraduate and graduate programs focused on the early years (children from birth to age 9). ECED programs allow teachers, early childhood educators, and other early childhood education professionals to inquire into their work with young children, and offer opportunities to explore issues in early childhood research, theory, and practice. Graduate programs offered include on campus MEd and MA programs and a unique, fully on-line MEd cohort program. Two online certificate and diploma programs (Infant Development and Supported Child Development and Early Years Education) and an ECED Minor for students in Arts are offered at the undergraduate level that are designed to enhance, deepen, and enrich early childhood professional’s knowledge and skills in creating optimal and inclusive early learning environments, assessing children appropriately, communicating with families, and designing learning experiences to foster children’s development and learning. In addition, a program that leads to BC Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Assistant, Basic, and Infant Toddler certificates is offered. These credentials are required by the BC Ministry of Education and Child Care to work in licensed early childhood settings in BC, and are obtained by applying to the BC ECE Registry for certification upon program completion. We have a newly funded ECE Basic Certificate cohort for students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing and to work in ECE settings with young students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
The successful candidate for this position must possess a doctoral degree in Special Education with an emphasis on the Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students, or closely-related field. Candidates must also demonstrate a specialty in Early Childhood Education and/or significant experience working with children in early childhood. We are looking for a scholar who is committed to contributing to new and emerging interdisciplinary research clusters focused on early intervention for Deaf and hard of hearing children and their families across Canada. In addition, the successful candidate must be able to foster the Faculty of Education programs that will train specialized professionals to support learners who are Deaf and hard of hearing and their families. Candidates must demonstrate a promising (Assistant Professor) or established (Associate Professor) record of scholarly accomplishments and teaching in areas relevant to the education of students who are Deaf and hard of hearing. A demonstrated commitment to excellence in research, teaching, and practicum supervision is important.
Preference will be given to applicants who have: (1) experience with and evidence of successful teaching in early childhood, school age (K-12), and/or post-secondary settings with students with exceptionalities, particularly those who are Deaf and hard of hearing; (2) expertise in online course design and delivery; (3) a background working with families of children with exceptionalities and/or lived experience; (4) knowledge and proficiency in sign language(s); (5) extensive knowledge in listening and spoken language and/or bilingual programming for learners who are Deaf and hard of hearing; (6) involvement in family-centered early intervention; and (7) demonstrated enthusiasm about collaborating across the Department, the Faculty of Education, the University, and the Community. Additionally, preference will be given to applicants who are graduates of Council on Education of the Deaf accredited.
The successful candidate will be expected to: (1) engage in sustained and productive scholarly activities, including securing external research funding; coordinating and/or refining a cohort of Deaf and hard of hearing persons in the Early Childhood Education Basic Certificate program (a first in Canada); (2) teach undergraduate and graduate courses within and beyond the Department; (3) co-coordinate the Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing graduate concentration in the Special Education program; (4) co-coordinate the Certificate Programs in ECE (i.e. Certificate in Infant Development & Supported Child Development; ECE Basic Certificate cohort for DHH); (5) engage in knowledge dissemination of research through publications and conference participation; (6) supervise master’s and doctoral students; and (7) contribute to scholarly and educational communities and service work of the Department, the Faculty of Education, and the University. The annual workload for this position is 12 credits (equivalent to four courses).
This is a tenure stream position in the Professoriate stream. For appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor, the successful candidate will be reviewed for reappointment and promotion in subsequent years in accordance with the Collective Agreement. An appointment at the rank of Associate Professor (with tenure) is subject to a positive review of the successful candidate’s record of achievements based on UBC’s appointment and tenure criteria as specified in the Collective Agreement, following the University’s established appointment processes. For more information on the review process and criteria for appointment and promotion in this stream, please visit this link. This position is subject to final budgetary approval. Starting salary is determined both by the candidate’s qualifications and experience and by their placement on the career progress scale within the Faculty of Education.
The Department of ECPS (ecps.educ.ubc.ca) is the largest of the six academic units in the UBC Faculty of Education and has 40+ tenure stream faculty members across five program areas, including Counselling Psychology; Human Development, Learning, and Culture; School and Applied Child Psychology; Special Education; and Measurement, Evaluation and Research Methodology. Over 400 graduate students, including 140 PhD students, are currently enrolled in the Department. The Department has strong ties to schools, community, and governmental agencies, and other units across campus and in the community, and runs the Faculty of Education’s Psychological Services and Counselling Training Centre.
UBC is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. The UBC Faculty of Education is one of the leading Faculties of its kind in the world, tied 1st in Canadian rankings and ranked 10th globally. Our work advances educational research and understanding of teaching and learning in a way that affirms diversity, equity, and innovation, and takes part in international collaboration in an interdependent globe. We provide a comprehensive set of programmatic offerings at the baccalaureate, magisterial, and doctoral levels. For more information on the Faculty of Education, please visit this website.
ECPS, the Faculty of Education, and UBC are dedicated to the goal of building a diverse and inclusive academic community. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate a commitment to and expertise in decolonizing, reconciliation, anti-racist, and social justice approaches to teaching and learning, and have a strong commitment to fostering inclusivity and teaching effectively in a welcoming environment. For more information about Faculty of Education’s commitments and initiatives related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization, please visit this link.
Interested candidates are invited to submit an application package that includes:
- a cover letter indicating the position being sought (Assistant Professor or Associate Professor) and outlining potential contributions to the Department (please indicate if you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident);
- a curriculum vitae;
- a statement of teaching philosophy and positionality within the field;
- evidence of teaching effectiveness and excellence (including course outlines and student evaluations, if available);
- two to three sample publications that are most relevant to this position;
- an equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization (EDID) Statement that describes and documents your contributions to EDID through your teaching, research, service, and community engagement, addressing the following three areas: (1) understanding of and knowledge about EDID, (2) track record in advancing EDID, and (3) future plans for EDID; and
- names and contact details of three references. Letters of reference will only be requested from candidates who are advancing to the next stage in the search process.
Complete applications must be provided in the format of one bookmarked PDF file, addressed to Dr. Jennifer Shapka, Department Head, and sent electronically to Ms. Kay Mun (Head’s Assistant) at kay.mun@ubc.ca. Following the submission of the application, the applicant will receive an Equity Survey link via email. Completion of the Equity Survey is required as part of the application process. Accommodations are available on request for all applicants with disabilities at all stages of the search process. To confidentially request accommodations, please contact educ.hr@ubc.ca.
While the search remains open until the position is filled, interested applicants are encouraged to submit their complete application package by December 15, 2023. Questions regarding this search and the application deadline should be directed to the Department Head, Dr. Jennifer Shapka, at jennifer.shapka@ubc.ca.
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Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the British Columbia Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. All applicants will be required to complete a confidential equity survey.