OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we live, work and create, Canada’s largest and oldest art and design university, is a vibrant community of bold, curious and compassionate artists, designers and scholars who are imagining and creating a joyful, equitable and sustainable world. The University is an internationally renowned hub for art, design, digital media, research, innovation and creativity, and arts administration. It embraces collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to change-making through art, design-thinking curriculum and research, making OCAD U a local, regional, national and global leader in art and design.In recognition of the U.N. Declaration of the International Decade for Peoples of African Descent, OCAD University invites applicants for a tenure-track position in the Faculty of Design at the rank of Assistant Professor to address our 144 years of Black underrepresentation. This opportunity is open only to qualified individuals who self-identify as Black peoples of African Descent (including Africans and African heritage people from the Caribbean, North America and Latin America). This initiative is a special program under the Ontario Human Rights Code.It is an exciting time to join the OCAD U community as the University is at a key stage in its institutional transformation, with the implementation of its and guiding principles — driving positive impact; decolonization, indigenization and equity; environmental sustainability; emerging as a vibrant hub; student centered approaches; innovation in learning teaching and research; and financial stewardship.The Faculty of Design is the largest of OCAD U’s three faculties. Under an ethos of Respectful Design, it boasts six undergraduate programs: Advertising, Environmental Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Industrial Design, and Material Art & Design (i.e. textiles and jewelry making). The design-related Graduate Programs include Inclusive Design, Design for Health, Strategic Foresight and Innovation, Interdisciplinary Art, Media, and Design; and Digital Futures.The Faculty of Design seeks qualified Black candidates who can demonstrate how their lived experiences inform a deep commitment through their work to intersectional Black communities and whose theoretical, technical, and making/design expertise fulfill current areas of need within the Faculty.The intersection of art and design, health, human movement, and recreationParticipatory social processes, social impact and social and collective actionSummary of Responsibilities: The successful candidate will:
Teach across multiple year levels at the undergraduate and/or graduate level;
Liaise with Black faculty as well as other faculty across programs;
Assume a key role in the ongoing development and decolonization of the undergraduate/graduate program curriculum, policies and promotion through participation in Faculty and Program meetings and initiatives;
Maintain an active research program, professional practice and/or scholarship within relevant discipline(s) with demonstrable service to Black communities;
Provide service to the faculty and University-wide governance system, as well as participate in building the University community and promoting the quality of student life and University culture;
Commit to outreach with local Black communities and the mentorship of Black students and youth.
Qualifications:The ideal candidate will have:
A terminal degree in relevant discipline(s) or equivalencies in Black knowledge systems; exceptions may be considered on the basis of outstanding career achievement;
Demonstrated ability or potential to teach at the post-secondary level and show an aptitude for innovative curriculum development and delivery; previous experience teaching in interdisciplinary programs and experience teaching and supervising graduate students will be considered assets;
A proven record of research and/or professional practice relevant to qualifications, work experience, discipline, and lived experiences that inform a deep commitment to intersectional Black communities;
Experience in proactively advancing decolonization, diversity, equity and sustainability in curriculum, teaching, scholarship, and creative/professional activities;
Demonstrated understanding of the ways in which diversity, equity, Indigenous knowledge, Black knowledge, and sustainability are fundamental to the quality of student experience, to innovative scholarship, and to design praxis;
A proven record of promoting a respectful and inclusive work and learning environment for students, staff, faculty, and wider communities.
REMUNERATIONSalary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications with access to full benefits, and pension contribution after one year of service.APPLICANT INFORMATIONApplications should include:a letter of intent stating the candidate’s interests in the areas of teaching, research/professional practice, and service pertaining to the job postinga curriculum vitae;a statement of teaching philosophy that responds to the profile of the position;a statement of approach to decolonizing design praxis for Black communities;evidence of teaching effectiveness (such as sample assignments, student feedback, course evaluations, etc.);a digital portfolio of recent work/publications; andthe names and contact information of three referees.Interested applicants are invited to submit their application in confidence, addressed to Chair, Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Search Committee, Faculty of Design, online by clicking the "Apply Now" button below.The review of applications will begin on October 3, 2025.As an institution committed to art, design, digital media and related scholarship, OCAD University (OCAD U) recognizes the profound and essential value that diversity brings to the creation, reception and circulation of creative practices and discourse. OCAD U understands that valuing diverse creative practices and forms of knowledge are essential to and enrich the institution’s core mission and vision as an art and design university with a local and global scope.As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.We encourage members of designated equity-deserving groups to self-identify within the voluntary Applicant Questionnaire.In order to alleviate the under-representation of Black racialized tenure-track faculty, this position is open only to qualified Black peoples of African descent (including Africans and African heritage people from the Caribbean, North America and Latin America) who self-identify as such in the application process. This initiative is a special program under the Ontario Human Rights Code.OCAD University is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please People & Culture for more information or refer toAll qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.
