[Air-L] Associate Professor - Public Memory & Public Histories

[Evan Light]

https://jobs.utoronto.ca/job/Toronto-Associate-Professor-Public-Memory-&-Public-Histories-ON/594288717/

Associate Professor - Public Memory & Public Histories

*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 existingdepartmental strengths 
<https://ischool.utoronto.ca/>. 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.

TheFaculty of Information <https://ischool.utoronto.ca/>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 theUniversity of Toronto <https://www.utoronto.ca/>, 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 (Statement on 
Equity, Diversity & Excellence 
<https://governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/secretariat/policies/equity-diversity-and-excellence-statement-december-14-2006>) 
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 athttp://uoft.me/how-to-apply 
<https://jobs.utoronto.ca/content/Frequently-Asked-Questions/>. 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 
atdean.ischool at utoronto.ca.

All application materials, including names and contact information of 
references, must be received by September 8, 2025.

The University of Toronto has adopted the/AAU Principles on Preventing 
Sexual Harassment in Academia/ 
<https://www.aau.edu/key-issues/campus-climate-and-safety/aau-principles-preventing-sexual-harassment-academia>/,/including 
the requirement that applicants release personnel information from prior 
employers regarding sexual misconduct. Full details and requirements can 
be foundhere. 
<https://memos.provost.utoronto.ca/implementation-of-reference-check-process-to-discourage-passing-the-harasser-pdadc-17/>

All 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 
seehttp://uoft.me/UP.

*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 contactuoft.careers at utoronto.ca.

-- 
Evan Light
Associate Professor, Policy Studies
Coordinator, Critical Information Policy Studies, Masters of Information
Faculty of Information / iSchool
University of Toronto