Associate Professor - Public Memory & Public Histories

University of Toronto

  • Toronto, ON
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 1 month ago
Date Posted: 07/23/2025
Closing Date: 09/08/2025, 11:59PM ET
Req ID: 43239
Job Category: Faculty - Tenure Stream (continuing)
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Information
Department: Faculty of Information
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)Description:The Faculty of Information at the University of Toronto invites applications for a full-time tenure stream position in Public Memory & Public Histories. The appointment will be at the rank of Associate Professor, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026.The Public Memory & Public Histories position focuses on the production of (collective) memory in and against cultural institutions, public discourse and histories. We seek candidates who are leaders in global and comparative research in one or more of the following areas:
  • Research into collective memory and public histories, with an emphasis on those at the margins, threatened with erasure, or otherwise supressed within public discourse.
  • The production and contestation of memory work extending from different forms of witnessing, testimonies and oral histories, through embodied and performative practices, in relation to specific sites or taking place in or against institutions.
  • Practices, methods or technologies of community organizing through construction of - or engagement with - collective memory, as well as diverse or interdisciplinary forms of research into public histories.
  • Traditions of counter-memory work, historical and contemporary (mis)information practices, and the relationship between civic discourse and identity across Indigenous, diasporic, transnational, or otherwise non-Western contexts.
  • Critical implications of contemporary memory infrastructures, policy contexts, political strategies, and transitional movements extending from the past and the present to future interventions.
We are seeking to attract applicants with an international reputation who hold a doctoral degree in such fields as Information Science, Museum Studies, the GLAM sectors (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums), History, Anthropology, Black Studies, Indigenous Studies, Gender Studies, Cultural Studies, Media and Communication or Journalism Studies, Memory Studies, Performance Studies, and Education. Alternatively, applicants with a terminal Master degree in their field, such as an MFA, with a demonstrated international reputation and experience commensurate to the status of associate professor are invited to apply.We encourage applicants who are also engaged in creative professional activity beyond academia, including experience in the creation and production of memory work and/or public histories such as community-engaged artists, curators, public historians, designers, practitioners, and archivists to apply.The ideal candidate's research and teaching interests will complement and enhance our existing . Applicants will have a clearly demonstrated record of excellence in research and teaching, an established international reputation and will be expected to sustain and lead innovative and independent research, and to maintain an outstanding, competitive, and externally funded research program.Candidates must provide evidence of research excellence which can be demonstrated by a record of sustained high-impact contributions and publications in top-ranked and field relevant journals, the submitted research statement, presentations at significant conferences, awards and accolades, successful supervision of student and post-doctoral research, and other noteworthy activities that contribute to the visibility and prominence of the field, as well as strong endorsements from referees.The successful candidate must also provide demonstrated evidence of readiness as a research supervisor in the application materials, as they will be expected to undertake undergraduate and graduate research supervision and teaching. The successful candidate will also have a demonstrated record of securing grants and research funding.Note that we are seeking candidates who will be able to contribute to curricular development and teach across our diverse professional (BI, MI, MMSt) and research (PhD) programs. Evidence of excellence in teaching will be provided through teaching accomplishments and innovative pedagogical approaches, the teaching dossier submitted as part of the application (with required materials outlined below), as well as strong letters of reference. Other teaching-related activities can include performance as course instructor, experience leading successful workshops or seminars, mentorship, or curricular development in non-university settings, as well as participation in significant conferences or public engagements, awards and accolades.Salary and rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.The is a research-led Faculty committed to educating the next generation of professional and academic leaders in information, who join us in transforming society through collaboration, innovation, and knowledge creation. We are guided by core values that include engagement with cultural, social, political, and ethical issues in information to benefit society; and transparency, accountability, and public responsibility. With an outstanding and award-winning faculty, our key strengths are the quality of our interdisciplinary research, the abilities of our graduate students, close ties across the university, and committed alumni. Our strategic priorities are excellence through interdisciplinarity, impact through partnerships, and equity through fostering inclusive environments. We are especially proud of the calibre, excellence, academic engagement, and diversity of our students.As part of the , the Faculty of Information offers the opportunity to teach, research, and live in one of the most diverse cities in the world. We seek candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment through their application materials. Candidates therefore must submit a statement of contributions to equity and diversity, which might cover topics such as (but not limited to): teaching or research that incorporates a focus on underrepresented communities, the development of inclusive pedagogies, or the mentoring of students from underrepresented groups.This search aligns with the University's commitment to strategically and proactively promote diversity among our community members ( ) and to respond to Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Recognizing that Black, Indigenous, and other Racialized communities have experienced inequities that have developed historically and are ongoing, we strongly welcome and encourage candidates from those communities to apply.All qualified candidates are invited to apply online by clicking the link below. Applicants must submit:
  • a cover letter;
  • a current curriculum vitae (CV);
  • a research statement outlining past intellectual impact, current research interests and future research agenda;
  • three relevant publications or equivalent works in creative professional activities;
  • a statement of contributions to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (as outlined above); and,
  • a complete teaching dossier which includes a teaching statement, sample syllabi and course materials, and teaching evaluations for the past six years, unless the teaching has not been a focal part of one's career, in which case the most recent teaching evaluations should be included, or evidence of superior performance in other teaching-related activities as listed above.
Applicants must provide the name and contact information of three references. The Faculty will request letters of recommendation from references at a later stage of the search process.Submission guidelines can be found at . Your CV and cover letter should be uploaded into the dedicated fields. Please combine additional application materials into one or two files in PDF/MS Word format. If you have any questions about this position, please contact Melissa Szopa, Administrative Coordinator, Academic at .All application materials, including names and contact information of references, must be received by September 8, 2025.The University of Toronto has adopted the , including the requirement that applicants release personnel information from prior employers regarding sexual misconduct. Full details and requirements can be foundAll qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.Diversity Statement
The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see .Accessibility Statement
The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact .

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