The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), which is located on the unceded land of the Mi’kmaq Nation, of the Wabanaki Confederacy, in the traditional district of Epekwitk, welcomes applications for a cross-appointed tenure-track faculty position in Environmental Studies and Island Studies at the rank of Assistant Professor, beginning September 1, 2022, or as negotiated. This position is subject to budgetary approval. 

Environmental issues typically do not respect traditional academic boundaries; instead, they are best addressed through a combination of scientific, technical, and social perspectives. As an interdisciplinary liberal arts and science program, the Bachelor of Environmental Studies at the University of Prince Edward Island provides students with the opportunity to integrate knowledge across academic fields and analyze current environmental concerns. In the classroom, field, and community, students are challenged to lead the way in finding innovative solutions and make a positive impact toward sustainability personally, locally, and globally.

The Island Studies constellation at UPEI is one of the leading global sites for Island Studies scholarship, teaching, and public engagement. The academic interdisciplinary Master of Arts in Island Studies (MAIS) program offers thesis and course- and work-study tracks with specializations in Island Tourism, Sustainable Island Communities, and International Relations & Island Public Policy. The Sustainable Island Communities specialization focuses on the interdependence of physical, ecological, economic, political, cultural, and social issues and is for students who wish to strengthen their abilities to become effective agents of community change. Internationally, this focus area is the first of its kind to combine concepts of community development with practices of sustainability on islands in areas such as community economic development, natural resources management, sustainable agriculture, rural and land-use planning, and renewable and alternative energy management. Students learn to take concepts, skills, solutions, and strategies learned in the classroom and test them against real-world situations on islands throughout the world.

Qualifications:

Applicants should have a Ph.D. in Geography, Island Studies, Environmental Studies/Sciences, or closely related field. They will have an understanding of the interaction of social, economic, and ecological forces on sustainability and resilience in the context of islands. Candidates will teach undergraduate courses in the Environmental Studies program and graduate courses in the MAIS program’s Sustainable Island Communities specialization. Undergraduate- and graduate-level teaching will focus in the areas of sustainability, political ecology, ecological evaluation, the blue/green economy, and environmental stresses on island communities.

The successful candidate would be expected to maintain an active research program and contribute to university service. They would also participate in planning and implementation of curriculum in support of Environmental Studies and Island Studies programs. Therefore, it is important that the successful candidate demonstrates the ability to strengthen collegial and collaborative relationships across two faculties and disciplines.

In alignment with the UPEI Strategic Plan, the successful candidate must be committed to providing programming and learning opportunities that enable our students to reach their full potential in both the classroom and the community. This includes the ability to provide strong mentorship and supervision for students in research in the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Arts.

Start date: September 1, 2022 (or as negotiated)

Application Instructions:

Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a statement of research interests and experience, a statement of teaching philosophy, and a one-page statement on how the applicant will implement the principles of reconciliation, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in their teaching, research, and scholarly work and the names and contact information of three references to the address below. An application package including and addressing all the elements listed above must be submitted electronically as a single PDF file to:

Sharon Martin, Administrative Assistant Environmental Studies
University of Prince Edward Island
550 University Avenue
Charlottetown, PEI
Canada C1A 4P3
Email: samartin@upei.ca
Telephone: (902) 566-0301

UPEI is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation, and believes in providing a positive learning and working environment where every person feels empowered to contribute.

In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. UPEI is committed to the principle of equity in employment.

UPEI will require all students, staff, and faculty to comply with the Covid 19 attestation and vaccination requirements as set out under the UPEI Covid 19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy.

The closing date for applications is May 30, 2022; however, the competition will remain open until the position is filled.