Position Description:

The Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education at the University of Oklahoma (OU) invites applications for two full-time tenure/tenure-track positions in the area of Educational Studies and/or Social/Cultural Foundations (such as school systems, diversity, educational policy, and/or youth and community advocacy). We are hiring one assistant professor and one assistant or associate professor – one of the positions must emphasize Indigenous/ First Nations Education. We seek scholars with a promising research program who study education through critical lenses: inter/trans-disciplinary, sociological, philosophical, historical, political, and/or cultural perspectives. We are particularly interested in colleagues whose scholarship engages the transformational capacities of education for nondominant youth, families, and communities, and those excited to contribute and grow together as we change educational systems and larger social orders.  

Key Responsibilities:

Both positions involve teaching, service, and research. Additional responsibilities include advising master’s and doctoral students, curriculum development, and program or departmental improvement. Service may include supporting program, department, college, and university improvement; developing equitable collaborations with community members, local organizations, non-profit entities, and other institutions of higher education; and supporting national scholarly associations.   

The University of Oklahoma (OU) is a Carnegie-R1 comprehensive public research university known for excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement, serving the educational, cultural, economic, and healthcare needs of the state, region, and nation from three campuses: The Norman Campus; The Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City; and the Schusterman Center in Tulsa. OU enrolls over 30,000 students and has more than 2,700 full-time faculty members offering nearly 500 different graduate and undergraduate degree programs on three campuses (Norman, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa).   

The University of Oklahoma (OU) is in the heart of Norman, OK. Norman is a close-knit and vibrant community and is consistently a contender on “best place to live” rankings with outstanding schools, amenities, a low cost of living, small town charm, and a variety of recreational opportunities. Within an easy commute, Oklahoma City features a dynamic economy and outstanding cultural venues adding to the region’s growing appeal. 

Required Qualifications: Successful candidates will:  

• possess an earned doctorate by August 2023 in Educational Studies, Educational Foundations, Cultural/Ethnic Studies in Education, Indigenous Educational Leadership/First Nations Education, Higher Education, or other applicable disciplines; 

• demonstrate evidence of teaching at the postsecondary or K-20 level appropriate to an assistant, advanced assistant, or associate professor at an R-1 institution; 

• demonstrate evidence of or ability to engage in research/scholarship appropriate to an assistant, advanced assistant, or associate professor at an R-1 institution; 

• demonstrate evidence of or ability to engage in service appropriate to an assistant, advanced assistant, or associate professor at an R-1 institution; 

• demonstrate evidence of or ability to develop and maintain local, state, tribal, national, and/or international relationships within the education community. 

Preferred Qualifications:

Although both positions are open to all areas of research and methodological specialization, we are particularly interested in candidates who bring a critical understanding of structural systems in educational and social institutions, and who engage in teaching and research. Preferred candidates will:  

• bring a critical understanding of structural systems in educational and social institutions;  

• demonstrate evidence of or willingness and ability to teach undergraduate students;  

• demonstrate evidence of or willingness and ability to design and teach graduate courses; 

• demonstrate evidence of or willingness and ability to advise and mentor graduate students;  

• demonstrate evidence of or willingness and ability to collaborate with colleagues within the college and across campus; 

• demonstrate evidence of or willingness and ability to engage in sustained and impactful research and scholarship. 

Review of applications will begin January 15, 2023 and continue until both positions are filled. Both positions are 9-month positions with anticipated start dates of August 16, 2023.

Candidates are asked to submit a letter of application; a curriculum vitae; names and contact information for three references; and one publication that demonstrates scholarly accomplishment in their area of research. Early career scholars may consider submitting conference papers, manuscripts under review, reports, or other examples of scholarly work. Letters of application should address interest in this position and describe how the candidate’s scholarship and experiences match the specified responsibilities and qualifications.

OU is using Interfolio to conduct this search. All application materials should be submitted electronically through Interfolio using the following link: https://apply.interfolio.com/118123

Questions may be directed to: Jenny Sperling ([email protected]) and Neil Houser ([email protected]), Committee Co-Chairs