Professor in Social and Critical Inquiry in University of Connecticut – USA

Summary

The University of Connecticut (UConn) is seeking a dynamic leader for the position of Professor and Department Head of Social and Critical Inquiry (SCI). This is a full-time, 10-month, tenure-track position with an anticipated start date of August 23, 2027. The SCI department, established in 2024, is an interdisciplinary unit encompassing American Studies, Asian and Asian American Studies, Native American and Indigenous Studies, and Women Gender Sexuality Studies, including Feminist Disability Studies. The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership, guide academic program development, and foster an inclusive intellectual community. Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent in a relevant field and demonstrate significant leadership, teaching, and interdisciplinary research experience. The salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Applications close on October 16, 2026.

Key Facts

Department	Social and Critical Inquiry (SCI)
Position Type	Professor and Department Head
Discipline	Social and Critical Inquiry
Research Area	American Studies, Asian and Asian American Studies, Native American and Indigenous Studies, Women Gender Sexuality Studies, Feminist Disability Studies
Degree Required	PhD or equivalent
Experience	Demonstrated leadership experience at Department/Unit/Dean level, program building, curricular innovation, teaching and interdisciplinary research excellence, supporting engaged scholarship and/or community partnerships, and commitment to advancing diversity. Preferred experience includes supporting community partnerships with Native American Indigenous communities, teaching/research in WGSS fields, budget experience (RCM models preferred), working with federally designated Minority Serving Institutions, and grant application/management.
Salary	Commensurate with qualifications and experience
Contract Duration	Full-time, 10-month, tenure-track position
Deadline	2026-10-16
Required Documents	Cover letter, Curriculum vitae, Research scholarship statement, Teaching statement, Commitment to diversity statement, Sample journal articles/books, Name and contact information of 3 professional references
Employer Address	UConn Storrs, Storrs, CT, USA
Employer Contact	[email protected]

About the Project

The department is dedicated to public engagement and interdisciplinary research. The successful candidate will be expected to teach and research in the department's areas and related fields, demonstrating interdisciplinary excellence. There is an emphasis on collaborative faculty initiatives that could be public, tribal, and/or community-partnered in nature. Preferred qualifications include experience supporting community partnerships with Native American Indigenous communities and experience with grant application management and grant-funded activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the Department of Social and Critical Inquiry (SCI)
• Guide the development and implementation of a shared, coherent academic program
• Lead the department in areas of public engagement and interdisciplinary research
• Strengthen the academic and professional success of faculty, students, and staff
• Develop a diverse, vibrant, and inclusive intellectual community
• Teach and conduct research in department areas and related fields
• Advance collaborative research and direct academic innovation
• Manage department administration, budget, staffing, and faculty development
• Mentor faculty and support student success
• Foster community partnerships and public-facing scholarship

Required Skills

• PhD or equivalent in a primary field within the department or a related field
• Demonstrated leadership experience at the Department/Unit/Dean level
• Experience in program building and curricular innovation
• Demonstrated teaching excellence
• Demonstrated interdisciplinary research excellence
• Experience supporting engaged scholarship and/or community partnerships
• Commitment to advancing diversity through research, teaching, scholarship, or other means
• Wide-ranging administrative skills
• Expertise in team building
• Experience advancing collaborative research
• Experience directing academic innovation
• Strong record of publication
• Track record of collaborative faculty initiatives (public, tribal, and/or community-partnered)
• Ability to meet University requirements for appointment at the rank of full Professor with tenure

Who Should Apply

Academic leaders with wide-ranging administrative skills, expertise in team building, experience advancing collaborative research, and directing academic innovation are encouraged to apply. Candidates should have a strong record of publication demonstrating interdisciplinary excellence and a track record of collaborative faculty initiatives, potentially public, tribal, and/or community-partnered in nature. A commitment to advancing diversity through research, teaching, and scholarship is essential.

About the Employer

The University of Connecticut (UConn) is a public land-grant institution. It acknowledges that the land on which it gathers is the territory of various Indigenous Peoples, including the Eastern Pequot, Golden Hill Paugussett, Lenape, Mashantucket Pequot, Mohegan, Nipmuc, and Schaghticoke Peoples. UConn is committed to building a culturally diverse community and creating an inclusive culture within its workforce. It is an AA/EEO employer, including Disability and Veteran status.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the start date for this position?

The anticipated start date for this position is August 23, 2027.

What are the core areas of the Social and Critical Inquiry department?

The core areas of the Social and Critical Inquiry department are American Studies, Asian and Asian American Studies, Native American and Indigenous Studies, and Women Gender Sexuality Studies, including a focus on Feminist Disability Studies.

What type of contract is offered for this position?

This is a full-time, 10-month, tenure-track position.

What is the deadline for applications?

Applications close on October 16, 2026.

What is the required academic qualification for applicants?

Applicants must have a PhD or equivalent in a primary field within the department or a related field.

Who can I contact for more information about the department?

Questions may be directed to [email protected].