Assistant Professor Environmental Studies (Ross Fellow)

St. Mary’s College of Maryland is recruiting a tenure-track assistant professor of Environmental Studies to begin August 2023. This is one of two tenure-track searches for positions to begin in August 2023 to expand our interdisciplinary academic offerings in the environment and deepen our commitment to the broad theme of critical climate studies (please see apply.interfolio.com/112030 for the ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE position). The goal of the critical climate change hires is to leverage our integrated, liberal arts curriculum via faculty who work across traditional disciplinary boundaries to support dynamic teaching, programming, and applied learning designed to respond to the social and environmental dimensions of the climate crisis with ethical, evidence-based, imaginative, and effective action.  

We seek scholars with a Ph.D. by time of hire in relevant fields in the humanities, arts, social sciences, or sciences whose expertise intersects with climate change. Ability to demonstrate experience with or interest in creating place-based teaching methods is highly desired. Strong, collegial communication and collaboration skills are essential. Preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate ability to contribute to our campus-wide effort to increase the number of and support for underrepresented students through experiential, high-impact pedagogy. 

Faculty teach the equivalent of 6 courses per year at the introductory and advanced levels which includes senior capstone experiences; collaborate on our curriculum; advise majors; and participate in Program and College service.

Specialization is open. Competitive candidates for the environmental studies position will have demonstrated excellence in offering student-centered instruction, providing mentoring opportunities for students, and a track record of centering equity and inclusion in their professional activities. Of particular interest are interdisciplinary approaches to the social and natural dimensions of climate change. We especially welcome candidates whose scholarly or creative work and teaching praxis engages climate issues through lens/es of: food systems; sustainability and resilience; carbon accounting; environmental arts, design, communication, and storytelling; environmental health; social movements, citizen-science, and activism; or environmental education. 

With the support of the Office of Inclusive Diversity, Equity, Access, and Accountability (IDEA2), St. Mary’s College has designated the Environmental Studies position as part of a cluster hire designed to increase the diversity of SMCM faculty.  Programs participating in this cluster hire include Environmental Studies, Anthropology, Biology, Computer Science, Economics, and Psychology. The College seeks to build and support a network of committed scholars whose pedagogical practice-- across their diverse fields of specialization-- improves the educational experience of underrepresented students. Candidates who demonstrate commitment to and past experience with supporting BIPOC, first generation, and/or low income students will be given preference.  St. Mary’s College is particularly interested in candidates whose teaching is culturally responsive, and grounded in strategies that both increase student belonging and reduce equity gaps in student performance. In addition to negotiated startup funds, new faculty in this cluster hire cohort will be supported by research funds up to $5000 in the first two years, paid professional development opportunities, individualized strategic mentoring, campus and community onboarding, and a dedicated steering committee to oversee the long-term success of the initiative and its participants. 

St. Mary’s College (www.smcm.edu) embodies diversity and inclusion in its mission. We create an environment that recognizes the value of individual and group differences, and we encourage inquiries from applicants who will contribute to our cultural and ethnic diversity. St. Mary’s College of Maryland is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Application materials should include a cover letter that identifies the position of interest, addresses how the candidate will contribute to a campus culture of inclusion; includes a description of teaching interests that support interdisciplinary engagement in the Chesapeake region, and provides evidence of expertise in the broad area of critical climate studies;​ curriculum vitae (including email address), statement of teaching philosophy (up to 500 words), statement of research interests (up to 500 words), and evidence of teaching effectiveness (if available). Applicants should also arrange for the submission of three confidential letters of recommendation. Applicants can request confidential letters through their Interfolio Dossier account, which may be uploaded for free by the letter writer directly to our Interfolio-hosted account for committee review. Applications are being accepted online at apply.interfolio.com/112034.  Questions may be directed to Search Committee Chair at environmentalstudiessearch@smcm.edu

The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications October 1 and continue to accept applications until the positions are filled. Employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check and proof of COVID-19 vaccination, medical and religious exemptions will be considered.  

Non-sectarian since its founding, St. Mary's College of Maryland, a public Carnegie Baccalaureate, Arts and Sciences institution located in St. Mary's City, 70 miles southeast of Washington, D.C., has been designated as Maryland's public honors college. With selective admissions policies, academically talented students, and a rigorous curriculum, we offer a small college experience similar to that found at exceptional private colleges. St. Mary’s faculty benefit from a comprehensive program of support for scholarship, research, travel, and curriculum development, including course releases for pre-tenure faculty and leaves for tenured faculty. The quality of life is enhanced by the recreational opportunities of the Chesapeake region and by our proximity to Washington, D.C. and Baltimore.

Visit our website: www.smcm.edu/hr


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