Tenure Track Position in Sustainable Development Appalachian State University

College:

Fine & Applied Arts

Department:

Sustainable Development

Description:

Assistant Professor of Sustainable Development

POSITION & QUALIFICATIONS: The Goodnight Family Sustainable Development Department at Appalachian State University invites applications for a tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor, beginning August 2019. We seek a dynamic teacher, scholar, and activist/practitioner whose work illuminates how ecological and social dynamics shape agrarian change and rural development. Applicants with expertise in agroecology, environmental justice, and/or climate change are especially encouraged to apply. Priority will be given to applicants who integrate ecological and social sciences, and to those whose work broadens our geographical strengths.

We are a critical development studies department that is committed to preparing students for transformative, community-driven development and social change. Diversity is a key (though still under-realized) component of our department’s mission. Thus we seek candidates that strengthen our department's commitment to improving intercultural competencies and working across difference for positive social and ecological change. In addition, faculty members are expected to maintain an active program of scholarship and participate in service activities.

The best candidates will meet the following criteria, among others:

1. A completed PhD (or other terminal degree) in a related field, or detailed plans for degree completion prior to appointment;

2. A commitment to high-quality teaching; the ability to teach introductory courses in sustainable development as well as upper-level seminars related to their area of expertise; the ability to incorporate natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities in their teaching;

3. Demonstrated potential to contribute to sustainable development scholarship via an original research program;

4. Experience working with diverse populations and/or experiences that will support the department’s goal of preparing students to contribute to a just, diverse, and global society; and

5. A praxis orientation: the ability to guide students to become thoughtful practitioners and grounded scholars of sustainable development, as demonstrated by critical analysis of the practice of sustainable development and agrarian issues, or self-reflexive experience in these fields.

THE DEPARTMENT: The Goodnight Family Sustainable Development Department integrates theory and practice from across the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. We function as a collaborative, transdisciplinary team of scholar-activists and scholar-practitioners with backgrounds in agroecology and forestry, American studies, anthropology, ecology, environmental studies, human geography, labor studies, and political science. Many of our current faculty deviated from their disciplinary mainstream in order to study pressing socio-ecological issues in an integrative manner. As such, we welcome applicants with unconventional intellectual trajectories and interdisciplinary training.

The department is composed of ten core faculty members whose research and teaching draw on a broad range of local and international partnerships and resources, including the department’s Teaching and Research Farm and Agroecology Laboratory, located in Fleetwood, NC. We have more than 350 undergraduate majors who concentrate in one of four degree programs: a BS in community, regional, and global development; a BS in agroecology and sustainable agriculture; a BS in environmental studies; and a BA in environmental studies. These degrees are offered in-house, rather than through faculty affiliates in other departments, allowing us to have an integrated curriculum. The Department’s mission is to prepare students to engage in the social, economic, and environmental transformations necessary to create thriving, equitable, and sustainable communities within an ecologically healthy world. Our graduates are prepared to work in leadership positions and fulfill the University’s commitment to building a just and sustainable future. Additional information about the Department is available at www.sd.appstate.edu.

THE UNIVERSITY: Located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Appalachian State University offers a challenging academic environment, energetic campus life, and breathtaking location. Appalachian enrolls about 19,000 students and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors. Small classes and close interactions between faculty and students create a strong sense of community, which has become an Appalachian hallmark. The University’s mission is to “prepare students to lead purposeful lives as engaged global citizens who understand their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all.” Appalachian State is one of 16 universities in the University of North Carolina system.

APPLICATION: Applications should include the following: 1) a cover letter; 2) a curriculum vitae, including contact information for at least three references; 3) a one-page statement of teaching philosophy and a list of new or existing courses you would like to teach; 4) a one-page research statement; and 5) a one-page statement articulating your approach to sustainable development and how your commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion informs this approach. All application materials should be compiled in a single PDF and e-mailed to Brian Burke  with the subject line: “Application for SD Assistant Professor Position.”  We invite all applicants for employment with Appalachian State University to complete our voluntary Affirmative Action data collection survey.  This brief survey can be accessed at https://appstate.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a2XuquAkcgaI1ed

Review of applications will begin on November 8, 2019, and continue until the position is filled. Questions may be addressed to the search committee chair, Dr. Brian Burke at sdjobs@appstate.edu.

Appalachian State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate in access to its educational programs and activities, or with respect to hiring or the terms and conditions of employment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, political affiliation, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or sexual orientation.

Individuals with disabilities desiring accommodations in the application process should contact Dr. Brian Burke (burkebj@appstate.edu).

Proper documentation of identity and employability will be required before the hiring process can be finalized.

Any offer of employment to a successful candidate will be conditional upon the University’s receipt of a satisfactory criminal background report.

Appalachian State University is committed to developing and allocating resources to the fundamental task of creating a diverse campus culture. We value diversity as the expression of human similarities and differences, as well as the importance of a living and learning environment conducive to knowledge, respect, acceptance, understanding and global awareness. Learn more at http://diversity.appstate.edu