Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Indigenous Data Sovereignty (Assistant/Associate Professor)

Department of Communications & Media Studies, School of Public Policy & Administration, Department of Social Science, and Department of Politics, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Date Posted: October 24, 2023

Application Deadline: December 1, 2023

The Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies at York University invites highly qualified applicants for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair at the rank of an Assistant or Associate Professor position in Indigenous Data Sovereignty, in any of: the Department of Communications & Media Studies; Department of Social Science; Department of Politics; or the School of Public Policy & Administration. The successful candidate will be appointed to a unit that best suits their qualifications and experience. This appointment is contingent upon a successful nomination to the Canada Research Chairs program (http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/) at the Tier 2 level. This is a tenure-track appointment to the Professorial Stream to commence July 1, 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter.

We are seeking a researcher of exceptional promise who is developing a vibrant program of research (someone recognized as becoming capable of leading in their field, nationally and internationally). As a Canada Research Chair (CRC), they would conduct an original, innovative research program of the highest quality on the issue of Indigenous data sovereignty, with a central focus on the implications for Indigenous communities and their interests of data extraction, collection, analysis and distribution technologies.

We welcome applications from candidates who recognize that contemporary Indigenous struggles for sovereignty are rooted in pre-colonial systems of governance, and whose program can contribute to strengthening Indigenous Peoples’ capacity to retain, protect and ensure appropriate use of data derived from their own knowledges, or extracted from their communities and territories. Candidates whose research programs have the potential to advance debates about definitions, ownership and control of data, developing appropriate governance frameworks, such as to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent, are especially welcome.

Preference will be given to applicants with a record of and/or commitment to capacity-building, including towards improving Indigenous Peoples’ technical expertise and resources, and capacity to negotiate rapidly evolving legal and policy contexts around data collection, access and benefit sharing frameworks at the national or global level. The candidate’s research program may focus on any of the areas in which Indigenous People are actively pursuing their rights for ownership and control of data, such as over health records and information, repositories of genetic information critical to the rapidly growing global bioeconomy, collections of Indigenous languages and oral histories, or databases containing Indigenous ecological knowledge used in land use planning, natural resources policy or other contexts.

The ideal candidate will develop and expand this research area and seek interdisciplinary collaborations within the Faculty and across the University, including through participation in active research centres such as the Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Languages or the Centre for AI and Society, as well as local, national, and international communities and networks.

The Canada Research Chairs program seeks to attract outstanding researchers for careers at Canadian universities. Tier 2 Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars (i.e., within 10 years of attaining their highest degree at the time of nomination, with consideration for career breaks) who have the acknowledged potential to lead their field of research. Appointment to a Tier 2 Chair is for five years, is renewable once, and comes with enhanced research support from the program. Applicants who are more than 10 years from their highest degree (and where career breaks exist, including maternity leave, extended sick leave, clinical training, etc.) may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process. Please see the CRC website for further eligibility details.

York acknowledges the potential impact of various life circumstances (e.g., illness, disability, caregiving, family commitments) on a candidate’s record of research and other achievements. Candidates are encouraged to describe such circumstances and their impact in their application. This information will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.

Recognizing the underrepresentation of Indigenous women and Indigenous gender minorities among CRCs, this position is open only to qualified researchers who indicate on the Affirmative Action self-identification form (see below) that they identify both as Indigenous Peoples of Canada (i.e., First Nations, Inuit, Métis) and as women or gender non-conforming (e.g., genderfluid, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, trans man, trans woman). The appointment is part of the University’s Affirmative Action program, which is based on the special program provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code.

York University is committed to providing an inviting, rich and supportive work, study and research environment to Indigenous students, staff and faculty members. This includes: cultivating understanding of, respect for and connections with Indigenous communities; integrating Indigenous cultures, approaches and perspectives into curricular offerings and research; collaborating with Indigenous communities; and supporting the recruitment and success of Indigenous students, staff and faculty members. These efforts are guided by the Associate Vice-President Indigenous Initiatives, the Indigenous Council, and the  Indigenous Framework for York University and include the Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Languages, the Centre for Aboriginal Student Services and Skennen'kó:wa Gamig, a space for Indigenous faculty, staff, and students.

This is a research-enhanced faculty position partially funded by the Connected Minds program, funded in part by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund. The successful candidate will be eligible for enhanced start-up funds. In addition, the successful candidate will engage with, and benefit from, the Connected Minds program, which focuses on scholarship in three main themes: I. Co-creating Research for Societal Needs and Predicted Impact; II. Fundamentals of Social Interaction: Neural, Algorithmic, and Social Networks; and III. Designing and Developing Socially Responsible Technologies. The Connected Minds program is supported by a total of $318 million in funding over seven years.

Candidate Qualifications:

• Degree: PhD in a relevant field (such as Law, Political Science, Communications, Sociology, Geography, or a relevant interdisciplinary field such as Socio-Legal/Critical Legal Studies, Science and Technology Studies) by the appointment’s start; or PhD equivalent (e.g., LLM, MA/MFA) with a substantial record of professional experience in a related field is required.
• Scholarship:
  • A coherent and well-articulated program of research and specialization in Indigenous Data Sovereignty, broadly defined. Candidates must have demonstrated leadership or evident promise of leadership in collaborating with Indigenous communities.
  • A record or evident promise of generating innovative, substantive, rigorous, and as appropriate, externally funded research. For Associate Professor level, a record of external grants is required.
  • A record or evident promise of making influential contributions and demonstrating excellence in the field (e.g., publications in key journals, major presentations, awards and accolades, knowledge mobilization with/for communities, presentations at international conferences and workshops, and influence on relevant Indigenous community and organizational programs).
  • Of particular interest are candidates with potential for leadership and impact in support of Indigenous data sovereignty in the face of advances such as AI and machine learning techniques that enable rapid and large-scale data mining.
• Teaching:
  • A record or evident promise of excellence in teaching and dedication to students (e.g., evidence of teaching accomplishments and pedagogical innovations; experience in decolonizing/indigenizing education, such as addressing issues of conflict resolution, human rights, and/or anti-racism within the curriculum).
  • Suitability for prompt appointment to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, given that the position may involve graduate teaching and supervision. For Associate Professor level, a record of graduate student supervision, as well as undergraduate teaching experience, is required.
• Additional: The ideal candidate would be able to strengthen relationships with local Indigenous Peoples and communities.

Hiring Policies:

• Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• All York University positions are subject to budgetary approval.
• York is an Affirmative Action (AA) employer and strongly values diversity, including gender and sexual diversity, in its community. Details of the AA Program, which applies to women, members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, can be found here or by contacting Christal Chapman, EDI Program Manager (chapman7@yorku.ca; 416-736-5713).
• York welcomes and employs scholars from all over the world. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and Indigenous peoples of Canada will be given priority.
• York has a policy on Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities and is committed to working towards a barrier-free workplace and expanding the accessibility of the workplace to persons with disabilities. Applicants who require accommodation are invited to contact the Associate Dean Research & Graduate, Ravi de Costa adres@yorku.ca.

Application Process:

• Due date for completed applications: December 1st, 2023.
• Required materials: 1) current CV; 2) cover letter; 3) research statement including a five-year plan for the CRC on Indigenous Data Sovereignty; 4) a teaching statement detailing experience, future interests and pedagogical approach; 5) contact information for three references. Only short-listed candidates’ references will be contacted.
• Provide required information regarding your Canadian work status and optional self-identification for Affirmative Action purposes as part of the online application.
• Direct questions about the position to the Associate Dean Research & Graduate, Ravi de Costa adres@yorku.ca.
• Submit materials: at https://apply.laps.yorku.ca

Learn More About York:

• York University generates and shares knowledge through our research, teaching and engagement with communities around the world. The 2023-2028 Strategic Research Plan showcases the depth, breadth and ambition of research at York.
• York’s commitments to social justice are laid out in our Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, the Framework & Action Plan on Black Inclusion and the Indigenous Framework for York University.
• Follow the activities and accomplishments of York’s faculty, students and staff on YFile.

York University acknowledges its presence on the traditional territory of many Indigenous Nations. The area known as Tkaronto has been care taken by the Anishinabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Huron-Wendat. It is now home to many First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities. We acknowledge the current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. This territory is subject of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement to peaceably share and care for the Great Lakes region.